262 NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE. 



penetrated them. While at work they make a 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 assist some men, as it were by recollec- 

 tion, for days after the concert is over. What I mean the 

 following passage will most readily explain : — 



" Prsehabebat porr6 vocibus humanis, instrumentisque 

 harmonicis musicam illam avium : non quod alia quoque 

 non delectaretur ; sed quod ex music^ human4 relinqueretur 

 in animo continens qusedam, attentionemque et somnum 

 conturbans agitatio ; dum ascensus, exscensus, tenores, ac 

 mutationes illse sonorum, et consonantiarum 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 Vitd 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 imagination, and recur 

 irresistibly to my recollection at seasons, and even when I 

 am desirous of thinking of more serious matters. 



