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THE EFFECTS OF MUSIC, ELECTRICITY, MAGNETISM, 

 AND GALVANISM UPON ANIMALS. 



BY JAMES FENNELL. 



THOUGH music has but little to do with the three sciences with 

 which I have here associated it, yet in connection with them it forms 

 one of the four principal extraneous powers capable of operating- in 

 various extraordinary ways upon the senses and actions of animals. 



As music consists of sounds emitted from instruments constructed 

 by man, its effects, however enchanting 1 and harmonious they may be, 

 are in reality altogether unnatural ; but the various notes that enter 

 into the composition of music are quite natural ; being voluntarily pro- 

 duced by animated bodies, and involuntarily produced by inanimate 

 bodies. It is with music, indeed, as it is with all other human produc- 

 tions ; for we can merely take to ourselves the merit of having- made, 

 in this instance a pleasing- combination of natural tones ; as in the case 

 of the construction of a clock, or of a steam-eng-ine, we are merely 

 entitled to the praise of having produced useful and mighty effects 

 by an ingenious artificial association of numerous natural principles 

 Thus the notes of music may be all traced to the source from whence 

 they were derived, which source is nature's orchestra ; in which her 

 birds and other uninstructed musicians lend their sweet and soothing 

 voices, which intermingling with the deep tones of the wind playing 

 through the thickset grove or hollow cavern, and with the babbling of 

 the running brook, produce a concert possessing charms for the lover of 

 nature, far superior to those which attract the admirers of even the 

 most talented and skilful performer. 



The inferior animals being accustomed to the music that resounds 

 through their sylvan haunts, are not affected by it in any peculiar man- 

 ner, but like our own uncivilised species remain unmoved by it. But 

 instrumental music exercises extraordinary effects upon them. It sub- 

 dues the rude dispositions of some ; arouses the ferocity of others . 

 renders some sufficiently docile and tractable as to be induced fearlessly 

 to approach ; while it awakens the alarms of others, and expels them 

 from their abodes. It may be observed, however, that that strain of 

 music which may affect an animal in any particular way, will not be 

 attended with similar results in all others, and in the cases of domesti- 

 cated animals the effects are various upon different individuals of the 



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