like a God,”—and to pray that God would raise | up some such human soul amongst us now.

Then came on the Augustan age of Musicthe time when the Tallis's, Birds, Gibbons and Plato's spirit towered far up above that of any others of Elizabeth's day took it to the church other that walked by his side; and so he found and made it there what it is now. Of all other sympathy nowhere save in the bosom of the Sacred Music is more worthy of cultivation. Universe of Nature. Nature was his first and Operas and symphonies are vacillating, but only love, and with her he went forth to com- Church Music in itself will always be the same. mune. He saw her glories, her sublime histories, It was Wesley, we think, who said that the Devil her sublime grandeur, in which the likeness of a shouldn't have all the good music, and so approGod was shadowed and impressed. To ex-priated any idea that he could derive from the press all these things which he felt so keenly, Operas: they would never have lived so long how his great mind must have struggled! But without it. It is the old "Hundred" of Luther after all he could find no name sufficient save the "Evening Hymn" of Ignace Pleyel, and the that of μovin! Music was Plato's highest idea sublime compositions of Lackley and Handel, of perfection. It was a distinctive embodiment, and even of King Henry, that will live wherever too, of his own soul. Philosophy on Earth will a spire glitters in the sun, or men have souls and never gain a greater name. imaginations. It is in the church when men are Let those who wish to do so laugh at such im- resting from care, that the organ notes bear them palpable fascinations-let them go their ways where no other strains ever bore them; and to a whose music is the jingling of silver and of place which they never forget. How many gold, or the hissing of steam. For my part, I thousands are there whose sensations are porcan afford to let the world go on ahead of me- trayed in the following poetical words of Hawif with gibes, so be it whilst I turn my thoughts thorne: on those great spirits of music, whom enraptured Hark! the hymn. This, at least, is a pormillions will one day hail, and whose triumphal tion of the service which I can enjoy better than cars they will drag over the forgotten dust of if I sat within the walls, where the full choir and Cræsuses.

the massive melody of the organ, would fall with It is extremely interesting to remark the pro- a weight upon me. At this distance, it thrills gress of Music in the world. The ancients had through my frame, and plays upon my heartsome crude and indefinite notions about its being strings with a pleasure, both of the sense and the greatest of all things. They ascribed it spirit. Heaven be praised. I know nothing of powers that they scarcely awarded to Jupiter. music as a science; and the most elaborate barNothing else save that, in their eyes, could have monies if they please me please me as simply as made animate and inanimate nature follow Or- a nurse's lullaby. The strain has ceased, but pheus. Nothing else could have destroyed the prolongs itself in my mind, with fanciful echoes, walls of one of their famed cities, or demolished till I start from my reverie and find that the ser those of another. They regarded that gift of mon has commenced." Amphion as the most sacred and unworldly of all else. Pan had not his place amidst the noise and bustle of the city, but sounded his divine reed on the green hills and vales of Arcadia,

-patulae recubans sub tegmine fagi.

Feelings there are which the sound of sacred melody will call forth from us that we had never dreampt of before. Show me a man that finds his heart refusing to be moved thereby and I will point out one that, whether or not he be fit for "treaBut Music was to progress,—that is according sons, stratagems and spoils,” I had rather avoid. to the common idea of progression. Properly there Toward placing Music on the eminence it now is no progression-save of our minds. Things occupies, the Germans have contributed as much already exist in their fullest activity, it is our dis-or more perhaps than any other people. And covery of what before was, that is Progress. that class of composers who devoted themselves The human mind until it tastes is afraid of it, or to its cultivation will live when the Napoleons and any thing like innovation. Timotheus was turnWellingtons have been forgotten for evil or good. ed out of the Spartan Senate, it will be recollected, for adding another string to the lyre! And so in the middle of the 16th century men and disfigured by new compilers. In the Carmina Sacro, were excommunicated for making their oratorios for instance, a work published a year or more ago under the faster than eight beats, and so according to "un-supervision of Lowell Mason, Boston, we have the "Deve godlie time!" But nevertheless for Spartan tion" of Pleyel so much altered from the original of the Seuates and Councils of Trent there have al-author, that under the name of " Brattle St." it is hardly ways been enough Timotheuses and Paclestre-to be recognized. The same is the way with two-thirds of our new books. We instance that, because we had nos to advance the Divine Art amongst the chil-thought if there was any who would have been spared, it would be Pleyel.

dren of men.

*It is really mortifying, however, to see the manner in which the fine old tunes of our old composers are cut up

66

Of all nations Germany has the honor of having given to the world the greatest one of the noble order of men we speak of. I admire almost extravagantly the richness of Handel-a great Prophet he was, or I know not what to call him. I confess to an indifference for Mozart, there's nothing in him that touches me; perhaps an exception may be taken in favor of his Dona Requiem," which was with him as the swan, sweetest in its dying note. I have some sweet reflections concerning the "Te Deums" of the middle of the 18th century-meditations on some grand ideas of Gluck and St. Ambrose found floating about on the top of much muddy water. But oh! of all—of all give me Beethoven; he who lived in an atmosphere where every breath that stirred was sublime thought. I have never come across anything so excellently appreciative of Ludwig Von Beethoven as a critique in a work of George Hogarth, (Musical Biog: Hist: and Criticism. General Survey, &c., London. 1835). I beg leave to introduce it here, as it will prove far more entertaining than any thing I could say in the same space.

posure of Haydn, or the sustained tenderness of Mozart; but it is grave, and full of deep and melancholy thought. When rapid, it is not brisk or lively, but agitated and changeful, full of "sweet and bitter fancies"-of storm and sunshine-of bursts of passion sinking into the subdued accents of grief, or relieved by transient gleams of hope or joy.* There are movements, indeed, to which he gives the designation of scherzoso, or playful; but this playfulness is as unlike as possible to the constitutional jocularity to which Haydn loved to give vent in the finales of his symphonies and quartettes. If, in a movement of this kind, Beethoven sets out in a tone of gaiety, his mood changes involuntarily,-the smile fades away, as it were, from his features,— and he falls into a train of sombre ideas, from which he ever and anon recovers himself, as if with an effort, and from a recollection of the nature of his subject. The rapid scherzos, which he has substituted for the older form of the minuet, are wild, impetuous and fantastic; they have often the air of that violent and fitful vivacity to which gloomy natures are liable; their mirth may be compared to that of the bacchanalian effusion of the doomed Caspar. They contain, however, many of Beethoven's most original and beautiful conceptions; and are strikingly illustrative of the character of his mind.

of animals.

We

meandering brook, and listen to the murmuring We stray along the margin of a of its waters. We join a group of villagers, keeping holiday with joyous songs and dances. The sky grows dark, the thunder growls, and a storm

bursts on the alarmed rustics, whose cries of dis

"As a musician, Beethoven must be classed along with Handel, Haydu, and Mozart. He Beethoven's genius are most fully displayed. "It is in his symphonies that the powers of alone is to be compared to them in the magni- The symphony in C minor stands alone and untude of his works, and their influence on the state rivalled; and the Sinfonia Pastorale is probably of the art. Though he has written little in the the finest piece of descriptive music in existence. department to which Handel devoted all the energies of his mind, yet his spirit, more than that of Every movement of this charming work is a any other composer, is akin to that of Handel. ful images of rural nature and rural life. scene, and every scene is full of the most beautiIn his music there is the same gigantic grandeur feel the freshness of a summer morning. We of conception, the same breadth and simplicity hear the rustling of the breeze, the waving of the of design, and the same absence of minute fin- woods, the cheerful notes of birds, and the cries ishing and petty details. In Beethoven's harmonies the masses of sound are equally large, ponderous, and imposing as those of Handel, while they have a deep and gloomy character peculiar to himself. As they swell in our ears, and grow darker and darker, they are like the lowering storm-cloud on which we gaze till we are startled by the flash, and appalled by the may are heard amidst the strife of the elements. thunder which bursts from its bosom. Such ef- The clouds pass away, the muttering of the thunder fects he has especially produced in his wonder-is more and more distant, all becomes quiet and ful symphonies. They belong to the tone of his placid, and the stillness is broken by the pastoral mind, and are without a parallel in the whole song of gratitude. Nothing can be more beautirauge of music. Even where he does not wield ful or more true to nature than every part of this the strength of a great orchestra; in his instru- representation. It requires no key, no explanation, mental concerted pieces; in his quartettes, his but places every image before the mind with a distinctness which neither poetry nor painting could trios, and his sonatos for the pianoforte, there is the same broad and massive harmony, and the surpass, and with a beauty which neither of them could equal." same wild, unexpected, and startling effects. Mingled with these, in his orchestra as well as And now we must take leave of this very dehis chamber music, there are strains of melody lightful companionship. Our notes have been inexpressibly impassioned and ravishing; strains most hurried, and may possibly cause some of which do not merely please, but dissolve in pleasure; which do not merely move, but overpower the old composers to turn over in their coffins! with emotion. Of these divine melodies, a re- In a future paper we shall bring our references markable feature is their extreme simplicity. A to some of the compilations and compositions of few notes, as artless as those of a national air. our own most barren day. are sufficent to awake the most exquisite feelings. "The music of Beethoven is stamped with the peculiarities of the man. When slow and tranquil in its movement, it has not the placid com

* Does not the reader imagine that he is listening to that piece of unearthly pathos and depth "La Desir," as he reads this?

ertions to assist an unfortunate and worthy friend, | and other Magazines with the rich harvests of that one of the first and best female boarding-its industry, and often were the verses and prose schools, ever kept in Richmond, was established pieces of "Marcella" and "M. M. W." (her here in 1812, where many of the most distinguished ladies of the present day acquired their education and accomplishments.

She departed this life on the 2nd of October, 1843, retaining to the last her mental faculties, and to an uncommon degree, her strength and activity. She had reached the advanced age of eighty-two when taken ill. A few sad days she suffered from pain and fever, then her spirit took its flight, we trust, from Earth to Heaven!

usual signatures,) lauded by the most fastidious votaries of literature-they were always filled with pathos and religious feeling, for they were always the spontaneous effusions of a brilliant mind and pious heart.

Her poem of " Pocahontas," the only one she ever published, was eulogized by the ablest critics and reviewers. She was profoundly versed in all scriptural subjects, and what is very remarkable, had included in her studies, that of Eighteen months previous to her death, the medicine, regarding that branch of knowledge, as spacious and beautiful mansion she occupied, a necessary part in the education of one residing uninsured, and with nearly all of its contents, in the country. I have been informed too, that was destroyed by fire. Her deportment on this her proficiency in it has excited the surprise of trying occasion, created both respect and admi- several eminent Physicians. ration, as the following extract from the newspapers of that period will show :

prem

In her youth, Mrs. Mosby must have been very handsome-the writer had not the happiness of knowing her, personally, till late in life, and even then her features were delicate and regular, and her countenance sweet and intelligent, but owing to protracted ill health, her complexion was pallid.

husband.

"There was no white person upon the ises when we reached Belleville, except its strongminded and wonderfully gifted proprietress, Mrs. Mayo, the widow of Col. John Mayo, and motherin-law of Gen. Winfield Scott and Dr. R. II. Cabell of this City....... We have never witnessed a more imposing spectacle of this deIt is now time to say something of her birth scription. The immense building on fire, the and parentage, the particulars of which have large masses of light which were scattered in all been obtained from one who justly idolized her, directions, illuminating grove and lawn,-the and still deeply mourns her death!—from her large groups of people collected around,-the heaps of furniture piled up at the several points, She was born on the 25th of April 1792, and formed a tout en semble of the most striking character! But the most impressive thing was the daughter of Mr. Robert Pleasants, of of all, was the moral effect imparted by the pres- Curls, in Henrico county, whose father (also ence of the venerable lady of the Mansion, who named Robert) was one of the most distinguishsat in front of the burning ruins, amid the masses ed members of the society of "Friends" in Virof furniture without one tear, one lamentation ginia. or murmur, inspiring all who saw her, with the deepest sympathy and respect for one who bore herself so firmly, so nobly, under so severe and sudden a calamity!"

Mrs. Mayo lies interred near her husband and children in the family cemetery of Powhatan Seat, a short distance below Richmond.

MRS. MARY W. MOSBY, OF CURLS. The next hallowed name we select from Richmond annals of female excellence and talents, is that of Mary Webster Pleasants, the late consort of John G. Mosby, Esq., of this city.

And who that knew her can ever forget her, or fail to treasure the remembrance of her virtues and genius?

Gentleness, piety, charity, liberality and energy of mind and character, were her distinguishing traits, combined with talent and intellectual cultivation.

Her mother was Miss Elizabeth Randolph, of Tuckahoe, the daughter of Col. Thomas Mann Randolph, and the sister of Col. T. M. Randolph, David Meade Randolph, Mrs. Harriet Hockley, (formerly Governor of Virginia,) and of Mrs. and Mrs. Virginia Carey.

At nine years of age, Mrs. Mosby was left an orphan, but the loss of her parents was almost supplied by her venerable paternal grandfather. Being exceedingly strict in his religious principles, he sent her when old enough, to his brother (Mr. Samuel Pleasants, of Philadelphia.) with directions that she should be placed at Weston School, which was under the superintendance of persons of his profession of faith. Here she resided seven years, and received every advantage that the most careful education can bestow, and that the good seed was sown upon a rich and grateful soil, was plainly evinced by her refinement of mind and manners, her agreeable conversation and useful habits.

At eighteen she bestowed her heart and hand For many years her ready pen supplied this upon Mr. Mosby-they were blessed with chil

dren, and for many years enjoyed ease, happiness and prosperity. But the evil day came at last! Like many others, they were destined to prove experimentally, that "Riches make unto themselves wings and flee away."..... Necessity demanded the sacrifice, and they parted with their pleasant rural residence on the banks of

James river, and located themselves in a small house in Richmond.

EXTRACTS FROM MY MSS.

BY J. A. TURNER.

CIVILIZATION AND BARBARISM.-I have sometimes been almost induced to think, that the high

est degree of what men term civilization, conIn this season of trial, the virtues of Mrs. Mosby look around me and see how wealth is accumutains the very elements of barbarism. When I shone with a lustre brighter than ever, and gain-lating in the coffers of the rich, and how the poor

ed her still farther the esteem and love of those who witnessed her fortitude, and cheerful fulfilment of every duty, in the midst of reverses so sudden and great!

are daily becoming poorer-when I see science inventing such machines as take employment out of the hands of the poor, whose muscles and sinews of flesh cannot compete with the muscles and sinews of iron and steel, and whose arms have not the strength of the hundred-handed Briareus of steam-when I see the so-called most enlightened government on earth giving large rewards to the inventors of engines of death and destruction, while the man of peace who

It was in 1842 that to these were added the failure of her health. She was attacked with disease of the heart and although the most skilful physicians were consulted, and unremitted attentions paid to her case, and every exertion made for her restoration, all, all were in vain. In the City of Richmond, on the 19th of November 1844, her saiuted spirit took its flight!......devotes himself to means of comfort and happiNotwithstanding the precautions of her grand-and die in poverty-when I see the obvious effects ness to his fellow men, is suffered to pine in want father, after her marriage she followed the dictates of her conscience and embraced the Episcopalian religion.

LINES

J. M. C.

counterbalanced, I am almost induced to think of these and similar causes, if they remain unthat civilization contains the very elements of barbarism.

HEATHEN GODS.-Some of the over-zealous missionary spirits of our day are constantly giving, in their books and newspapers, hideous pictures of the heathen gods. Their object is to excite

SENT TO A LADY WITH A BOUQUET OF FLOWERS our sympathies for those who worship such idols.

ON CHRISTMAS EVE.

1.

'Tis said, that from man's earliest birth
Two spirits unto him are given,
To guide, to tempt him whilst on Earth,
And lead to Hell or Heaven.

2.

I know not of the legend's truth,

But this to me my soul doth tell,

That thou couldst guide my steps on Earth,
And lead to Heaven as well.

3.

It may not be. Thou canst not love.
No earthly thoughts within thee rise;
Thine eyes are fixed on things above;
Thy hopes are in the quiet skies.

4.

Yet kindly take these buds from me;'Tis but a Christmas gift I send

To say, I only ask to be

Thine earnest, humble, faithful friend. Philadelphia.

They do not object to the horridness of these images, but simply to the images themselves. Could they transfer to paper the image of their god, it would frequently present a picture of hideous ugliness of which the heathen never dreamed. It is easy to conceive why the idol-worshippers make their images so terrific. It is on account of their mistaken idea of Deity. Instead of regarding him as a God of mercy and love, delighting in the happiness of his creatures, they look upon him as an unjust and cruel Being, whose chief happiness consists in torturing maukind. It is too often the case that the votaries of Christianity shut their eyes to the teachings of the doctrine of Jesus. and entertain the heathen notion of God pushed into extremes. They would induce the pagan to burn his ugly god of wood or stone, but wish him to destroy the wood or stone only-while the ugliness of Deity they would insist upon his retaining with all the terror they could add to it.

MATRIMONY.-It has often been said truly that matrimony is a lottery. It should not be, nor is it