pride of life, the lust of the eye, all enter into these public gaities; and their false pretensions to partial sacredness only render them more objectionable."

[We make the following extract from an erudite and elegant dissertation "on the influence of Music over Man," which appears in a late number of the "Jamaica Gazette." ED.]

EFFECT OF MUSIC ON ELEPHANTS.

Besides man, the dissertation mentions a number of animals, over whose passions music exercises a very strong, and perhaps irresistible influence. Elephants, horses, mules, oxen, dogs, foxes, even spiders and serpents are alive to the charms of harmonious sound.Birds, it is well known, are by nature musical.

But, continues the dissertation, of all animals, man excepted, the elephant is the most susceptible of musical sounds. Pliny, Plutarch, Seutonius and Buffon record singular anecdotes of the fondness of this half-reasoning quadruped for music; and we shall conclude the subject with an unique account of a concert which was given to two elephants, in Paris, 1806 or 7. The orchestra was placed above in a gallery, with a trap-door in the floor to permit the sound to escape downward. This took place in the Botanic Gardens, and excited great curiosity. All the influence and wealth of Paris were present.

On the first sounds of the music, the two elephants which were male and female, and were called Hans and Mess, walked around the enclosure-then directed their trunks to the trap-door, raising themselves on their hind legs. They now appeared alarmed,-but after a few seconds, resumed their usual calmness, and abandoned themselves to the delights which the music afforded them.

The air was then changed, and one of a savage and rude nature was substituted; and that music possessed influence over them was immediately evident. They approached the bars of their cage, twisted them with their trunks, and pushed against them violently with their bodies; they exhibited symptoms of pain and rage, and seemed to be acting under the influence of some agent over which they had no control.

On this air being again changed, and a soft and languishing Sybarite measure played, the female seemed to suffer most. She exhibited every sign of strong and passionate fondness for the male. She introduced her proboscis into his ears, then put it into her mouth, caressed him warmly with her trunk, and pressed against him with her body. The scene was almost like that between two brothers.

But the most striking and astonishing effects were produced by the Marseilles hymn. As soon as the orchestra struck up, they whistled, uttered sounds of joy, and then melancholy intonations. They appeared to be under the fear of some expected calamity, and were preparing themselves to meet it with resolution and fortitude. The tune was again changed, and the plaintive pensive notes produced corresponding effects. The female rested her trunk upon the floor and appeared wrapt in unappeasable grief. But interesting as this subject is, we must here conclude without referring to the music of the Syrens, or the melody of the Italians.

THE MINSTREL.
NEW YORK, JANUARY 1, 1836.

SINGING IN CHRISTIAN FAMILIES.

THERE can be no question that the most of the singing now performed in families is of vital injury to the science of music. Look into the nursery, and you hear there, at times, a concord of sounds,—perhaps of sweet sounds, but they are too often without meaning. This is ere long observed by the imitative spirit of a child. The obscure words,the infantized sentences,-the jingle of notes,are all impressed in the plastic mind of youth. And they are impressed in such a way as never to be effaced.

Now what is the effect produced? It is this: As the child grows older, he begins to apply his early teachings in song to the practical purposes of life. If he saw, (and in most sign of singing to him was merely to attract cases he would not fail to see it,) that the dehis attention and occupy his time, he would continue, until his character as an immortal being underwent a material change, to sing himself for a similar object.*

The effect of this early abuse of music is perhaps observable in all the future devotions of the family circle. If the children sing with their parents, it is more to hear the music, or to pass away the time, than any thing else. Sentiment is sacrificed to sound.

The same evils are to be seen in the musical performances of riper years. What sincere friend of Music and Piety has not been pained at the thoughtless singing of certain promiscuous assemblies? A few acquaintances have met,-conviviality is the presiding spirit of the scene,-the repartee, the joke passes fleetly round, and at length singing is proposed. With a laugh over a mistake at the commencement, some of the most sacred passages of the Bible are sung with flippancy and glee, merely for the sake of passing away time!

Can any fail to perceive the effect of all this on the orisons of the family altar,—on the social prayer meeting-on the worship of the sanctuary?

* The same argument will apply to the marvellous tales told to children. And it is no doubt owing very much to the practice that the rising generation is so madly attached to Novels!

A NEW INSTRUMENT.

By extending the leading principle of the musical instrument called the Accordian, a Mr. CHADWICK, an ingenious mechanic, residing in the western part of this State, has lately constructed a large one of far greater power and compass, designed principally for the parlor. It resembles in appearance and size, the Piano-forte, and the process of playing it is similar to that of the organ. It forms a pleasant accompaniment to the human voice and possesses two special advantages, it has a swell, and it never gets out of tune.

MERITED SUCCESS.

Mr. JOSEPH A. KELLER, a distinguished professor of Music, of Salem, Mass., has recently received an appointment as Teacher in the Massachusetts Institution for the Blind, for which he is to receive a salary of $1000 per

annum,

SACRED MUSIC SOCIETY AT NORWICH. WE are gratified to learn, that a number of young gentlemen of Norwich, Conn., have recently formed an Association for instruction and improvement in the Science of Music: A competent instructor has been engaged to aid them in their laudable efforts.

In connection with this information, we give the following remarks which relate to the state of music in Norwich, from a paper of that city, handed to us some days since:

"It has long been an admitted fact, that less attention is paid to music in Norwich, than in any other place of the same size. Compare it with Worcester, [Mass.,] for instance, in this respect. Those who have ever resided in the former beautiful town, will not require any special effort on our part, to satisfy them how far the people of that place are in advance of us, in the cultivation of this most interesting science. Should we confine our comparisons to our own State, the contrast would not be less striking. In Hartford, New Haven, and in many smaller places, vocal and instrumental music receive a good degree of attention and encouragement. Lest people at a distance should put an unfavorable construction upon what we have said, and take us to be a set of savages, upon whom Shakspeare's oft quoted denunciation falls with peculiar force, we perhaps ought to state that we hardly ever witnessed more natural fondness for music in any community, than is discovered here, when any musical entertainment is afforded from abroad. This is, indeed, a redeeming quality. We have only to regret that, for the gratification of this taste, the good people of Norwich have been solely dependent upon others."

Correspondence.

EXTRACTS FROM LETTEKS RECENTLY RECEIVED. "I have no doubt that when the merits of the Minstrel become known, it will be liberally patronized with us. Several persons who have examined the numbers I first received, declined subscribing for the work at present upon the ground of its novelty, and from not being able to satisfy themselves as to the sort and amount of influence such a work would produce. Perhaps, Sir, you will ascribe want of correct musical taste as the principal cause of this state of feeling, and such, I regret to say, is unquestionably the fact; and this want of correct taste in regard to Sacred Music and the want of correct information upon the subject, are the very difficulties the 'Minstrel' is intended to obviate. When these obstacles are removed, (and the diffusion of the correct principles contained in your valuable work is all that is requisite to remove them) we shall find that a scientific periodical of this kind will be extensively patronized; and to aid in accomplishing purposes so desirable, I pledge my influence in circulating and recommending the 'Minstrel' to the friends of Sacred Song within the circle of my aequaintance.

"Perhaps it may not be thought impertinent to suggest the need of some piece or pieces of Music and appropriate words, suitable for Temperance Meetings. Such Meetings are often the occasion of much interest; and it seems desirable that some of your able contributors should furnish something of the kind for the 'Minstrel.' Attempts have been made with the view of supplying this deficiency by some individuals, but I have never met with any thing of the kind which seemed to possess sufficient merit. Would not a piece arranged in familiar style, adapted to the purpose before mentioned, be acceptable to most of your readers? And will not some of your friends furnish something of the kind for your pages? J. D. S.

Fort Miller, N. Y.