262 DARWIN'S THEORY 



Spencer. To my mind he is so obviously right that it 

 would have seemed incredible to me that anyone could 

 fail to be convinced had it not been that Darwin 

 had examined the theory and deliberately rejected it. 

 He had come, he said, to an exactly opposite con- 

 clusion. Astonishing; but one can see the reason 

 of it. He was devoted to his theory of Natural 

 Selection; it was like a beautiful mistress to him, 

 and the supplemental theory of Sexual Selection was 

 her beautiful daughter, in delicate health, alas! but 

 he did not like to hear it said so, and Herbert Spencer's 

 theory of the origin of music was like a prophetic 

 unfavourable diagnosis, and he would not have it, 

 and even went so far, when rejecting it, as to make 

 a little fun of it. 



"I conclude," he says, "that musical notes and 

 rhythm were first acquired by the male or female 

 progenitors of mankind for the sake of charming the 

 opposite sex. Thus musical tones became frequently 

 associated with some of the strongest passions an 

 animal is capable of feeling, and are consequently 

 used instinctively, or through association when strong 

 emotions are expressed in speech. Mr. Spencer does 

 not offer any explanation, nor can I, why high and 

 deep tones should be expressive, both with man and 

 the lower animals, of certain emotions." 



The very simple explanation is that the high and 

 deep notes are expressive of the strongest passions, 

 and are the root sounds of music in its intensest 

 moods and state. 



He also says: "But if it be further asked why 



