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AM USEMEdVTS OF 1‘HE PEOPLE. 27
idle; for he who labours requires relaxation, and this play mill
supply. For this reason the ancients mnde music a pnrt of
education. They thought it a proper employment for frocmen,
and to then1 they allotted it; as Homer sings : r‘ Horn right t.1)
call Thalia to the feast !” and, addressing soxno others, 110
says : “The band was called, to ravish cvcry car; ” and, i:1
anotl~er place, he makes Ulysses say, that the happiest pmt of
man’s life is
When nt the festal board in order placed,
They listen to the song.
It is no easy matter distinctly to point out what power it
hns, nor on mbat accounts one should apply it, whether ns an
amusement and refreshment, like sleep or mine. Or shall we
rather suppose that music has R tendency to produce virtue,
having it power, as tho gymnastic exercises have, to foru tho
body in a certain may, and to influence tho manners, so as to
accustom its professors to rejoice rightly? And we all agreo
that music is one of the most pleasing things, whether alone or
accompanied with a voice, as Musz~us says :
Music, man’s sweetest joy,
for which reason it is justly admitted into every company and
every happy life. From this anyone may suppose that it is
fitting to instruct yonng persons in it. For all those pleasurcs
which aro harmless are not only conducive to tho final end of
life, but serve also as relaxations.