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The Descent of Man

The Descent of Man

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animals <strong>of</strong> all kinds are excited not only by love,<br />

but by the strong passions <strong>of</strong> jealousy, rivalry,<br />

and triumph. From the deeply- laid principle<br />

<strong>of</strong> inherited associations, musical tones in<br />

this case would be likely to call up vaguely and<br />

indefinitely the strong emotions <strong>of</strong> a long-past<br />

age. As we have every reason to suppose that<br />

articulate speech is one <strong>of</strong> the latest, as it certainly<br />

is the highest, <strong>of</strong> the arts acquired by<br />

man, and as the instinctive power <strong>of</strong> producing<br />

musical notes and rhythms is developed low<br />

down in the animal series, it would be altogether<br />

opposed to the principle <strong>of</strong> evolution, if we<br />

were to admit that man's musical capacity has<br />

been developed from the tones used in impassioned<br />

speech. We must suppose that the<br />

rhythms and cadences <strong>of</strong> oratory are derived<br />

from previously developed musical powers.<br />

(39. See the very interesting discussion on the<br />

'Origin and Function <strong>of</strong> Music,' by Mr. Herbert<br />

Spencer, in his collected 'Essays,' 1858, p. 359.<br />

Mr. Spencer comes to an exactly opposite con-

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