200 LECTURE VI. 



rican mocking-birds, excel in the several parts 

 which they perform: but the nightingale com- 

 bines the whole, and joins sweetness of tone 

 with variety and extent of execution. His notes 

 assume each diversity of character, and receive 

 every change of modulation ; not a part is re- 

 peated without variation; and the attention is 

 kept perpetually awake, and charmed by the 

 endless flexibility of strains. The leader of the 

 vernal chorus begins the prelude with a low and 

 timid voice, and he prepares for the hymn to na- 

 ture by essaying his powers and attuning his 

 organs: by degrees the sound opens and swells; 

 it bursts with loud and vivid flashes; it flows 

 with smooth volubility; it faints and murmurs ; 

 it shakes with rapid and violent articulations : the 

 soft breathings of love and joy are poured from his 

 inmost soul, and every heart beats in unison, and 

 melts with delicious languor. But this continual 

 richness might satiate the ear. The strains are 

 at times relieved by pauses, which bestow dig- 

 nity and elevation. The mild silence of evening 

 heightens the general effect, and not a rival in- 

 terrupts the solemn scene." 



I must not omit to observe, that, according to 



