268 THE NATURAL HISTORY [LETT. 



them. While at work they make a rapping noise, that may be 

 heard at a considerable distance. 



You that understand both the theory and practical part of 

 music may best inform us why harmony or melody should so 

 strangely affect some men, as it were by recollection, for days 

 after a concert is over. What I mean the following passage will 

 explain : 



" Prahabebat porro vocibus humanis, instrumentisque harmo- 

 nicis musicam illam avium : non quod alia quoque non delecta- 

 retur; sed quod ex musica humana relinqueretur in animo 

 continens qutcdam, attentionemque et somnum conturbans 

 agitatio ; dum ascensus, exscensus, tenores, ac mutationes ilia; 

 sonorum. et consonantiarum euntque, redeuntque per phanta- 

 siam : cum nihil tale relinqui possit ex modulationibus avium, 

 quse, quod non sunt perinde a nobis imitabiles, non possunt 

 perinde internam facultatem commovere." Gasscnchis. 1 



This curious quotation strikes me much by so well repre- 

 senting my own case, and by describing what I have so often 

 felt, but never could so well express. When I hear fine music 

 I am haunted with passages therefrom night and day ; and 

 especially at first waking, which, by their importunity, give me 

 more uneasiness than pleasure : elegant lessons still tease my 

 imagination, and recur irresistibly to my recollection at seasons, 

 and even when I am desirous of thinking of more serious 

 matters. 



1 " He preferred the music of birds to vocal and instrumental harmony, not 

 that he did not take pleasure in any other, but because the latter left in the 

 mind some constant agitation, disturbing the sleep and the attention ; whilst 

 the several variations of sound and concord go and return through the ima- 

 gination ; whereas no such effect can be produced by the modulation of birds, 

 because, as they are not equally imitable by us, they cannot equally excite 

 the internal faculty." Qassendus, in the Life of Peiresc. 



