185Y.] The ^Eolian Harp. 33 



64, 128, 192, 256, 320, 384, 448, 512, 576; 

 which series of numbers is entirely consistent with the received the- 

 ory of musical sounds, and therefore the ^olian harp is both a 

 proof and illustration of the correctness of this theory. 



Again, we notice that the eight or nine notes which compose the 

 -^olian scale are all harmonious with each other, and embrace all 

 those intervals which, in the language of music, are called chords. 

 Therefore, every combination of sound of which the instrument 

 well-tuned is capable, must be harmony, and only harmony — a sci- 

 entific fact to which the ear of the enraptured listener bears witness. 

 Nor is the number of combinations small in a harp of nine strings, 

 each one of which is susceptible of nine distinct notes. According 

 to the rules of 'permutations and combinations,' these are in effect 

 infinite ; and thus the ' breezy fingers ' of the wind are made to 

 strike a ' harp of a thousand strings,' in a most literal sense. 



From what has been said, it becomes evident that our young friends 

 may summon the summer winds to make harmony for their senses 

 in ^-Eolian strains that human performers can never rival. By the 

 simple contrivance above indicated they may construct for themselves 

 an instrument equally adapted to the lordly mansion, and the hum- 

 blest cottage ; an instrument capable of the most scientific accuracy 

 of intonation, and which, when ' lightly stirred by fairy fingers,' 

 will give forth harmonious utterances that will stir the sweetest and 

 deepest emotions of which the human soul is susceptible. At one 

 moment the rushing breeze sweeps the chords with bold and bois- 

 terous hand, and all the heroism of our souls is roused and ready to 

 dare and do ; anon, the sighing zephyr comes moaning through the 

 harp in tones so deeply plaintive as ' might wake oblivious wonder 

 in the ear of death.' 



" Now the music luouats on high, 

 Sweetly swelling tki'ongh the skr. 

 Now the strains to silence stealins:. 

 Soft in ecstacies expire." 



^o> 



In a dry time, see that animals have a good supply of pure water. 

 when the fountains are low, they drink the drainings of fountains, 

 streams and passages of water, which are unwholesome. 



If barns and stables are very tight and warm, ventilate in mild 

 weather, even in winter. 

 3 



