374 NATURAL HISTORY 



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 most readily explain : 



" Praehabebat porr6 vocibus humanis instrumentisque 

 harmonicis musicam illam avium: non quod alia quoque 

 non delectaretur ; sed quod ex musica humana re- 

 linqueretur in animo continens quaedam, attentionem- 

 que et somnum conturbans, agitatio; dum ascensus, 

 exscensus, tenores, ac mutationes illae sonorum et con- 

 sonantiarum euntque redeuntque per phantasiam : 

 cum nihil tale relinqui possit ex modulationibus avium, 

 quae, quod non sunt perinde a nobis imitabiles, non 

 possunt perinde internam facultatem commovere." 

 Gassendus in Vita Peireskii. 



This curious quotation strikes me much by so well 

 representing 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 imagina- 

 tion, and recur irresistibly to my recollection at seasons, 

 and even when I am desirous of thinking of more 

 serious matters. 



I am, &c. 



