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means of observation, can only heighten the enjoyment 

 which the a3sthetic faculties derive from such contempla- 

 tions. No degree of progress of the physical sciences 

 can ever repress the noble aspirations of the soul, or 

 destroy our appreciation of those sympathies which spring 

 from the depths of the human heart. Supposing the 

 mathematical theory of music to be so far perfected as 

 to enable us — if possible — to calculate all the proportions 

 of a symphony of Mozart or Beethoven ; will any one 

 seriously maintain, that this exactness of knowledge 

 necessarily prevents the awakening of those inexpressible 

 feelings 'of deliaht bv which we are borne heavenward 

 on the strains of musical tones ? On the contrary, is it 

 not certain that we would thereby be prepared to appre- 

 ciate and to enjoy a deeper and a richer harmony than 

 any one can now imagine ? 



The most casual observation is sufficient to convince 

 every reflective mind, that in the present century we 

 feel the necessity of reconciling the worlds of reason 

 and imagination. This reconciliation cannot be ef- 

 fected in a moment ; it must be the result of repeated 

 efforts. In this work of establishing harmony be- 

 tween the two great faculties of the soul, the physi- 

 cal sciences are destined to play a very important part. 

 If we bear in mind the fact, that experimental science 

 cannot boast of a venerable antiquity, we shall be 

 astonished at the great intellectual influence Avhich it 

 has already exercised on mankind. There are a variety 

 of circumstances which render it certain, that a taste 

 for physics must continually grow. No department of 

 knowledge affords more opportunities for daily conversa- 

 tion and communication ; the objects lie closely around 



