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jects of this kind, speaks very seriously of this custom* 

 And Aristotle, Appollonius, Dipscolus, Capella, and 

 many others, speak of singing as a nostrum in many 

 maladies. There is a passage in Tzetzes, which gives 

 rise to a conjecture, that may very naturally accom- 

 pany these facts. He says, that Orpheus recalled 

 Eurydice from the gates of death, by the charms of his 

 Jyre. N >w to take this literally, one might presume 

 from if, that Eurydice had been bit by a tarantula in. 

 stead of a serpent, as historians give out, and that 

 Orpheus having recovered her by moans of music, as 

 is practised in Italy even at this day, in process of 

 time there was founded on this the well known alle- 

 gory of his descent into hell. But if, in opposition to 

 this, it be alledged, that there are tarantulas in Thrace, 

 (which is~what I cannot take upon me to aifirm) the 

 objection is easily evaded by admitting with historians, 

 that she was really bit by a serpent, observing withal, 

 that she might still be cured of that bite by means of 

 music. Tueophrastus, among other writers, is quoted 

 by Aulus Gellius, as an ocular evidence of the medical 

 effects of music, in the case of persons bit by serpents 

 or vipers. The work indeed referred to is now lust. 

 Another purpose to which the ancients applied their 

 music, was to alleviate the rigour of their punishments; 

 and in this they displayed their humanity. TheAme* 

 ricans entertain the same idea of the power of music, 

 having recourse to it to allay the severity of their 

 toils. Piutarc^ reports of Antigenidas, that he so 

 roused the spirit of Alexander, by playing on the flute, 

 that in a transport of heroism the prince immediately 

 started up from table, and flew to his arms. Every 

 body hath heard of the wonderful influence, which 

 the music of the famous Timotheus had over the 

 mind of that prince^ when touching his lyre, he so in- 

 flamed him with rage, that drawing his sabre he sud- 

 denly slew one of his guests ; which Timotheus 

 no socmer perceived, than, altering the air from 

 the Phrygian to a softer measure, he stripped him of 

 his fury, becalmed his passion, and infused into him 



