8 MUSIC OF BIRDS. 



In proportion as we have been trained to be agreeably 

 affected by the outward forms of nature and the sounds 

 that proceed from the animate and the inanimate world 

 are we capable of being happy without resorting to vulgar 

 and costly recreations. Then will the aspects of nature, 

 continually changing with the progress of the seasons, and 

 the songs that enliven their march, satisfy that craving 

 for agreeable sensations which would otherwise lead us 

 away from humble and healthful pursuits to those of an 

 artificial and exciting life. The value of these pleasures 

 of sentiment is derived not so much from their cheapness 

 as from their favorable moral influences, that improve 

 and pleasantly exercise the mind without tasking its 

 powers. Those quiet emotions, half musical and half 

 poetical, which are awakened by the songs of birds, be- 

 long to this class of refined enjoyments. 



But the music of birds, though delightful to all, con- 

 veys active and durable pleasure only to those who have 

 learned to associate with their notes, in connection with 

 the scenes of nature, a crowd of interesting and romantic 

 images. To many persons of this character it affords 

 more delight than the most brilliant music of the concert 

 or the opera. In vain will it be said as an objection, that 

 the notes of birds have no charm save that of association, 

 and do not equal the melody of a simple reed or flag- 

 eolet. It is sufficient to reply that the most delight- 

 ful influences of nature proceed from sights and sounds 

 that appeal to a poetic sentiment through the medium of 

 slight and almost insensible impressions made upon the 

 eye and the ear. At the moment when these physical 

 impressions exceed a certain mean, the spell is broken, 

 and the enjoyment, if it continues, becomes sensual, not 

 intellectual. How soon, indeed, would the songs of birds 

 pall upon the ear if they were loud and brilliant like 

 a band of instruments. It is simplicity that gives them 

 their charm. 



