'mans imitate them, devoting themselves to expres'sion and character.' During the period in which glees were so popular with us, Germany, though in the midst of war, was making the most rapid strides in the music of instruments. On the return of peace, the talented merchants of the metropolis brought us the important works of Haydn and Mozart. These gave a new turn to our musical ideas, and we awoke from the sleepy style of a past age. Amidst this influx of modern art, our glees have subsided by their gravity, and, probably, will never rise into much notice again. Our anthems, however, are interwoven with the service of the Protestant Church, and notwithstanding the profusion of splendid masses we receive from abroad, they will ever preserve the important rank which they hold in the department of devotional music.

CHAPTER XLVII.

SINGING CONDUCIVE TO HEALTH.

the danger

MANY writers have strongly insisted upon of forcing the voice in learning to sing, thinking it may be greatly injured, if not destroyed; but if we attend to facts we shall find this to be an erroneous opinion. It is a maxim, which applies to the

use of all our faculties, that so long as we do not weaken, we strengthen, and this fact is strikingly true as it regards the voice. If we listen to those whose business it is to cry their commodities in the streets, on comparing their strength of voice with our own, we shall be surprised to find what a force of intonation this daily practice produces. When did we ever hear of these itinerants, or public singers, or speakers, being compelled to give up their profession in consequence of a loss of voice? On the contrary, this constant exertion strengthens the vocal organs, and is highly conducive to health. Many persons, in encouraging the development of musical talents in their children, have no other view than to add to the number of their accomplishments, and afford them a means of innocent amusement. It was the opinion of Dr. Rush, however, that singing by young ladies, whom the customs of society debar from many other kinds of salubrious exercise, is to be cultivated not only as an accomplishment, but as a means of preserving health. He particularly insists that vocal music should never be neglected in the education of a young lady, and states, that besides its salutary operation in soothing the cares of domestic life, it has a still more direct and important effect. 'I here introduce a fact,' remarks the doctor, 'which has been suggested to me by my profession, that is, the exercise of the organs of the 'breast, by singing, contributes very much to defend 'them from those diseases to which the climate and

'other causes expose them. The Germans are sel'dom afflicted with consumption, nor have I ever 'known more than one instance of spitting of blood ' amongst them. This I believe is, in part, occa'sioned by the strength which their lungs acquire 'by exercising them frequently in vocal music, 'which constitutes an essential branch of their edu'cation.' The music-master of our academy has furnished me with an observation still more in favor of this opinion; he informs me that he had known several instances of persons strongly disposed to consumption, restored to health by the exercise of the lungs in singing.* Dean Bayley, of the Chapel Royal, many years back, advised persons who were learning to sing, as a means of strengthening the lungs and acquiring a retentive breath, 'to often run up some ascent, especially in the morning, 'leisurely at first, and accelerating the motion near 'the top, without suffering the lungs to play quick ' in the manner of panting.' Having quoted this judicious writer, we are tempted to add the following remarks addressed to professional singers.

In the new establishment of infant schools for children of three and four years of age, every thing is taught by the aid of song. Their little lessons, their recitations, their arithmetical countings, are all chanted; and as they feel the importance of their own voices when joined together, they emulate each other in the power of vociferating. This exercise is found to be very beneficial to the health. Many instances have occurred of weakly children of two or three years of age that could scarcely support themselves, having become robust and healthy by this constant exercise of the lungs.

Next to this, he says, 'temperance, particularly in 'the use of malt liquors, is beneficial, avoiding all 'occasions of heats and sudden cooling, either by a 'cessation of motion, or drinking anything cold, in 'an overheated state of the body, which brings on 'hoarseness, coughs, and other impediments of sing'ing and health. He, therefore, that would be prepared with a voice and capacity of singing well, 'besides being in constant practice, must avoid all excess, as it is said, "he that striveth for the mas'tery must be temperate in all things, keeping nature 'cheerful, and in constant good humor, which will 'sweeten life, and extend its span." Persons may 'indulge with more safety at forty, than at eighteen, 'where nature is in a state of growth and immatu'rity; though, indeed, we are assured from religion, 'from reason, and experience, that we can at no time yield to excess and indulgences, with any 'safety to the health of the body and mind; and 'that to live soberly, with the passions and appetites 'under due subjection, opens the best prospect of living in the present world as well as in the next. 'Let it be thought right in me, to step forth with these 'warnings, presenting, as it were, a chart of the 'coast, who have for many years traversed the 'ocean; who have seen, and do daily see, not with'out concern and admonition, many young profi'cients in music make a shameful and speedy end, 'who have promised fair in the beginning, and

'might have proceeded happily, but setting off 'with overmuch sail and too strong a tide, suffered 'shipwreck in the channel before they could well 'get out to sea.'

CHAPTER XLVIII.

ANALYSIS OF UTTERANCE.

THERE is a charm, a tasteful manner of pronouncing our language, never heard but in the conversation of educated women. Perhaps this excellence may be attributed to their knowledge of Italian, and their acquaintance with music, but, more than all, to the dexterity and neatness of articulation which they possess. It may be remarked, that of late years we have been discarding the rougher tones of our language, for those more soft and flexible; and, as society improves, the English probably will acquire a polish that may vie with the languages of the East. If we consult the unalloyed expressions of nature, we find them nearly devoid of harsh consonantal sounds. Every traveller, who has listened to the conversation of savages, has made this remark. It is only in languages, contrived and extended by art, that we meet with the less natural