224 THE OEIGIN AND FUNCTION OF MUSIC. 



But it is time to end this analysis, which, possibly we 

 nave already carried too far. It is not to be supposed that 

 the more special peculiarities of musical expression are to 

 be definitely explained. Though probably they may all in 

 some way conform to the principle that has been worked 

 cut, it is obviously impracticable to trace that principle in its 

 more ramified applications. Xor is it needful to our argu- 

 ment that it should be so traced. The foregoing facts 

 sufficiently prove that what we regard as the distinctive 

 traits of song, are simply the traits of emotional speech in- 

 tensified and systematized. In respect of its general char- 

 acteristics, we think it has been made clear that vocal mu- 

 sic, and by consequence all music, is an idealization of the 

 natural language of passion. 



As far as it goes, the scanty evidence furnished by his- 

 tory confirms this conclusion. Note first the fact (not 

 properly an historical one, but fitly grouped with such) 

 that the dance-chants of savage tribes are very monoton- 

 ous ; and in virtue of their monotony are much more nearly 

 allied to ordinary speech than are the songs of civilized 

 races. Joining with this the fact that there are still extant 

 among boatmen and others in the East, ancient chants of a 

 like monotonous character, we may infer that vocal music 

 originally diverged from emotional speech in a gradual, 

 unobtrusive manner ; and this is the inference to which 

 our argument points. Further evidence to the same 

 efiect is supplied by Greek history. The early poems of 

 the Greeks — which, be it remembered, were sacred le- 

 gends embodied in that rhythmical, metaphorical language 

 which strong feeling excites — were not recited, but chant- 

 ed : the tones and the cadences were made musical by the 

 game influences which made the speech poetical. 



By those who have mvestigated the matter, this chant- 

 ing is believed to have been not what we caU singing, but 



