The tone of the voice is also considerably impaired and its strength diminished, by a tightly drawn or large cravat. Both in speaking and singing, therefore, the neck should be free from compression, and but lightly covered.

The great means of improving the voice, as of all other improvements, is constant and daily practice. The professional exercises at the bar, in the senate, or in the pulpit, if properly attended to with a view to improvement, may suffice for the orator of our times. But the ancients, besides this, were in the daily practice of preparatory declamation. Their rule was, after proper bodily exercise, to begin at the lowest tone of their voice, and proceed gradually to the highest. They are said to have pronounced five hundred lines in this manner, which were committed to memory, in order that the exertions of the voice might be less embarrassed.

The second rule has been anticipated, which is regular bodily exercise. The ancients recommended walking a certain distance before breakfast-about a mile. Riding on horseback we do not find in this case recommended or practised, as a mere exercise. In order to strengthen the voice, Mr. Sheridan advises that such persons as have weak utterance, should daily practice to read and repeat, in a large room, in the hearing of a friend. The latter should be placed, at first, at such a distance that they may be able to reach him with the voice in its usual tone; the distance is then to be gradually increased, until the friend shall have attained the farthest point at which he can hear distinctly without the voice of the speaker being strained. There he should remain, during his declamation. Through this practice he should proceed, step by step, daily; and by so doing he will be enabled to unfold his organs of speech, and regularly increase the quantity and strength of his voice. It will be found, perhaps, that the same practice will be more easily, and effectually pursued in the open air-particularly as every speaker cannot conveniently obtain the use of a room of the requisite dimensions.

musical taste among us, so much of the simplicity and purity of much of our church music recently published. Formerly, our music of the church generally, was any thing rather than the pure language of devotion; in most instances, a mere tick

most delight.

About twenty years since, the first movements began to be made in this country to redeem the music of the sanctuary from its desecration. The Handel and Haydn Society, with which Mr. Mason was formerly, for several years, connected, and Mr. Hastings, then of Utica, N. Y., appear to have made the first movements. The first work of consequence published, was a

However, among the families that attempt to sing devotionally, there is not always the best management. The individuals who sing, are perhaps scattered in different parts of the room; they are careless about receiving the pitch; they are not all furnished with psalm books; or the tuneling of the ear, in which the least serious took the is too difficult, and they undertake to manage more of the several parts than they can well master. In primitive times there used to be special practice, in reference to this thing, and there ought to be now. The different members of the family should practise frequently together, till the leader among them is able, in some good measure, to secure the desired object. We do not say that the singing should be accurate, refined, and delicate. All this is not to be expected. But we do say that it ought to be sufficiently skilful to meet the taste, and interest the feelings of the family. And every christian family that is not entirely destitute of singers, has, in this respect, an important duty to perform. If the duty has been long neglected, it is all the worse. It may require no small effort to bring about, in process of time, the right kind of influence. Barrenness will be the first result; but this will be superseded by a better influence: in proportion as the habit is formed with hallowed zeal and perseverance.

CHRISTIANIZING MUSIC.

H.

DISSERTATION ON MUSICAL TASTE, by Mr. HASTINGS, published in Albany in 1822. This was a highly valuable work; and though it did not find a very ready and extensive sale, it nevertheless, found its way into the libraries of many of those who had the chief control in the formation of a correct musical taste in the church. In conformity with the principles of the Dissertation, in 1818 the

MUSICA SACRA, by Mr. HASTINGS, and soon after the

BOSTON HANDEL AND HAYDN COLLECTION, by Mr. MASON, made their appearance; which have given a different character and tone to popular sacred music, wherever they have been introduced. Other collections have had some infiluence in producing the change, but these are the principal, and have had the greatest circulation. The next great change in favor of sacred mu

[We are pleased to perceive, that the conductors of seve ral of the religious periodicals, are beginning to feel it incumbent upon them to pay attention to sacred music, by inserting in their columns articles calculated to subserve the great and important cause. The following interesting extract is copied from the New England Spectator, pub-sic was effected by the instrumentality of WM. C. lished at Boston. It is from the pen of the editor of that paper, who has acquired no inconsiderable reputation as a musical critic. Our readers will observe, however, that he writes principally for the meridian of New England, and therefore passes over much that has been done by others towards "christianizing music." Perhaps on some future occasion he will give all the facts more in detail. We sincerely thank him for the notice he has taken of the Family Minstrel, and hope it may be so conducted as to meet his expectations.]

We stated, a few weeks since, that the great objects of the Boston Academy of Music was to CHRISTIANIZE MUSIC, in all its branches, both as a science and an art. We now propose to show what has been done and what is doing in this country for the promotion of sacred music. When we regard the fact that scarcely any thing has so great an influence in the formation of national character as its popular music, we shall not be found fault with, if we occupy con

FAMILY MUSIC.

DEVOTIONAL SINGING.

This, almost every where, is either neglected, or miserably performed. Multitudes of christian families that have some taste for music, or that might easily acquire some taste for it, pass through life, it is presumed, without instituting devotional singing as a regular part of family worship. This is wrong. It is contrary to the whole tenor of the Scriptures. It might not be amiss for such families to examine the book of Psalms, and the epistles of the New Testament, in reference to this subject. The path of duty might then appear plain.

influence of music on the morals of a community, will occupy a large share of attention. For the present, we will only allude to one fact. The Scotch Presbyterians, in western Pennsylvania, have long been noted for their strict regard for the Sabbath, their high state of family religion, their christian morals, their large churches, and the great number of clergy which go out from them; and all this with but little of what we call revivals of religion. The secret of all this was found out by a residence among them; by which it was discovered that singing almost invariably constitutes a part of the daily devotions of the family, in which, almost without exception, all the members of the family, old and young, join. The same is true of the Moravians. Their music constitutes an essential part of their religion. The sacred music of the Scotch and the Mora

vians is noted for its simplicity and purity. And nothing at present, marks a correct tendency of

WOODBRIDGE, who about five years since, returned from Germany, with his heart full of the importance of giving our youth a musical education. He fell in with Mr. Mason, and some others, who immediately felt the importance of the object, and engaged at once in its promotion. About two years since, Mr. Mason gave up a lucrative employment to devote his whole time to giving instruction in vocal music and the other duties of a musical profession. To co-operate with him, and give permanency to this vocation, and at the same time to promote the general interests of sacred music, there was formed about the same time, the

BOSTON ACADEMY OF MUSIC, of which we shall peak more hereafter. The Boston Academy may be considered as a benevolent religious association, which regards the cultivation of music as subservient to the welfare of the soul. Under their direction, a choir has been formed, and efforts are now being made to obtain a spacious house for performances. Although the Handel and Haydn Society has, as we think, done some good, yet it is doubtful, whether on the whole it has subserved the cause of religion. Their principal performers have many of them more or less to do with the theatre, and most of the others are men not of religious character:-their rehearsals and oratories are commonly on sabbath evening, which we regard a violation of the day. One object, therefore, of the Boston Academy, is to remedy these evils, and as we said before, to Chris

tianize music.

We have now barely time to say one word respecting the most important works which have recently appeared. We shall first speak of

THE CHOIR. The many changes introduced into the Handel and Haydn Collection, rendered it inconvenient to use the different editions of it

in the same choir of singers. Mr. Mason, therefore, prepared a new work, in which a large part of the music is more simple and chaste, and containing tunes adapted to a much greater variety of metres than any other,-designed as a supplement to the Handel and Haydn. The first edition of this new work, The Choir, was disposed of in a few weeks. In preparing a second edition, it was thought desirable to introduce many common tunes, so as to make the choir complete of itself. This second edition was stereotyped, and published a year and a half ago.

A defect was still found to exist. There have been loud and repeated demands not to have the Handel and Haydn Collection altered; and still other demands for a work similar to the Handel and Haydn Collection, which shall embrace all the

improvements made since that has taken a per

manent form. This appears to be the design of the BOSTON ACADEMY'S COLLECTION, just issued from the press. Of this we shall say more anon. Other important works have recently appeared, which tend more than any other similar works, ever published, to Christianize music.

The first is the

MUSICAL CYCLOPEDIA, nominally by the EDITOR, but more properly by Mr. MASON, as it never would have been undertaken except at his urgent request, and with his constant co-operation and supervision while issuing from the press.The Cyclopedia embraces a complete musical dictionary, and the outlines of a musical grammar, the science of harmony, the practice of music, including articles on musical taste, the scientific principles of music, and the history and curiosities of music, and notices of musical instruments. All this, so far as possible—and it is the first attempt of the kind ever made,-has been done in subservience to the religion of the gospel. The next work we shall mention is the MANUAL OF INSTRUCTION, by Mr. MASON. The object of this work is to make vocal music a branch of common education in the family and in schools. This work is also consecrated to making music the handmaid of religion.

We briefly notice in conclusion, the FAMILY Minstrel, by Charles Dingley, a semi-monthly publication, just commenced in New York. We very much approve of the stand it has taken in relation to excluding theatrical music and theatrical performers from the church. This the editor will find a difficult task. Although in the country, there are no theatre-going people, yet there we have much that may be called theatrical display, which must be subjected to the same sort of reformation. We regard it a CHRISTIAN duty to sustain the Minstrel, if it comes up to what we expect.

NOTE BY THE EDITOR.

It is due to Mr. E. IVES, Jun., whose name we perceive is not mentioned in any of the statements of the Spectator, to inform our readers, that he was one of the individuals, who first embraced the views of Mr. Woodbridge, above referred to, and that he early developed them by a primary school in Hartford, Conn. This fact is recorded in the "Annals of Education."

We would also take this occasion to state, without any conference or collusion on the subject, that the AMERICAN ELEMENTARY SINGING BOOK, by Mr. Ives, is well adapted to christianize music. In our opinion, it is second to no work of the kind, but "Mason's Manual of Instruction." Indeed, the two books, in many respects, bear a striking

resemblance. Nor need this be wondered at, when it is known, that the same materials were placed in the hands of both these gentlemen, and by them used in constructing their invaluable works.

The beautiful piece of poetry in our first number, headed "the Priceless Pearl," was not intended to be original with the editor of the Minstrel; indeed, the remarks prefixed in small type, should have satisfied our friend of the Long Island Farmer, that such was the fact.

The editor of the "Erie (Pa.) Observer" is assured, that we shall redeem our pledge with him, and all other editors, who have accepted our proposition-provided they forward us their periodicals containing the prospectus of the Minstrel.

OUR REVIEWS.

If, on any occasion, our reviews and notices of the productions of others, be deemed illiberal or unjustly severe, let it be constantly observed, that no unfriendly feelings dictate such a course. Professing ourselves the advocates of truth, in order that it may be illicited, our columns shall always be freely open to appropriate replies.

Our work being devoted exclusively to musical science and morality, it will ever be our aim to act on sound and correct principles, examining, in a candid and impartial manner, whatever may be offered to our notice.

NEW PUBLICATIONS.

The Editor solicits from his friends and patrons, any intelligence on the subject of Musical Societies, as he wishes to give circulation to such intelligence, through the medium of his columns. If the Secretaries of such institutions, or their most active friends, will furnish lists of officers, accounts of oratorios, concerts, &c., they shall find a place in our pages.

NEW YORK SACRED MUSIC SOCIETY.-We are gratified to learn, that several members of this Society, contemplate shortly bringing forward resolutions disapproving of the further introduction of theatrical performers at their rehearsals and oratorios. We sincerely hope, they may be successful-or that they will cause the word 'Sacred' to be stricken from their title.

NEW YORK HANDEL AND HAYDN SOCIETY.This institution (having no connexion with the theatre,) continues its regular rehearsals every Wednesday evening, at Broadway Hall. We hope its Managers will take immediate steps to place the Society on a permanent footing. Let each member be in his place at every meeting, and "not be weary in well doing." We are satisfied, that by little effort on the part of its members, it will in one or two years, be second to none in this country, but the one at Boston, bearing the same name.

NEW YORK UNION ASSOCIATION FOR THE PROMOTION OF SACRED MUSIC.-The regular meetings of this Society, are held at Broadway Hall, on Monday evenings. We approve of the zeal manifested by its members, and hope they may realize much good for their praise-worthy exertions.

THE ALLEGHANY MUSICAL SOCIETY-at Pittsburgh, Penn., is said to be in a very flourishing condition. We perceive that steps have been taken by some of its members, to give a course of systematic instruction to all those who may de

sire it.

GLEN'S FALLS SACRED MUSIC SOCIETY.-Several gentlemen of Glen's Falls, Warren county, N. Y., have lately formed an association for the We have recently received several new publi- improvement of singing, called "Glen's Falls cations on music, which we shall endeavor to ex- Sacred Music Society." An address on music amine in due time. Among these are-" The was delivered by Mr. H. M. PARSONS, at the American Elementary Singing Book;" "Ameri- organization of the Society,-when the following can Psalmody, 3d edition;" American Harp;" persons were elected as officers for the ensuing "Ancient Lyre;" New Village Harmony;" year:-Dr. B. J. Clark, President. Hannibal S. "The Boston Academy's Collection of Church Blood and Sheldon Benedict, Vice Presidents. Music," &c. Alexander Folsom, Secretary. George G. HawThe last named book may be had at the Book-ley, Treasurer. Josiah Beaumont, John G. Spenstore of H. Griffin & Co., No. 114 Nassau-st.

cer, and Hannibal Hyde, Directors.

THE MOZART SOCIETY OF NEW LONDON COUNTY, Conn., have recently given several Concerts of Sacred Music in different parts of the State. From the accounts which reach us, they were

well received.

NEW SYSTEM OF TEACHING MUSIC.-A Mr. John Bartlett, who has recently returned from Europe, announces his intention of introducing in Boston, "Massimino's system of teaching Vocal Music" which, he says, "is entirely new here, and possesses many advantages over all others yet atA Concert of Sacred Music was given on the tempted in this country." It is highly recom28th ultimo, in Winthrop, Maine, by a Society mended by Charles Zeuner, Esq., organist to the recently formed in that town, under the direction Boston Handel and Haydn Society, and a dis- of a Mr. GOULD. DAVID H. FOSTER, Esq., detinguished composer of music. We shall, pro-livered an Address on the occasion.

SELECT POETRY.

[The following lines, possessing the soul of genuine poetry of the first order, appears as original in the Cincinnati Journal. They are from the pen of a lady-who has writ ten several pieces for that paper, and may be styled with great propriety, "the Sigourney of the West."]

FEVER DREAMS.

I slumber'd; and of other days

Bright dreams came flitting round

I felt the magic breeze that plays

O'er childhood's much loved ground;

I dream'd, and took a sad review,

Of all my hopes-the false, the true,
Of all my cares and fears;

I dream'd of expectations cross'd,
Of favor won, of friendship lost-

Sweet joys and bitter tears.

I dream'd of STORMS. The raging blast
Came rushing by with hollow moan,
Spread stern destruction as it pass'd-

And made the earth in terror groan.

I dream'd of shelter 'neath a tree,
With those I loved from infancy-
Secure I view'd the storm;
But o'er my head the thunder broke,
My friends lay prostrate by the stroke,
I fled in wild alarm.

I dream'd of WAR. The lovely plain,
Where peace and plenty late had been,
Was fill'd with hosts of martial men,
Impatient for the battle din.
The cannon's roar is heard at length-
It sweeps the field with giant strength;
Now cries and groans arise,
Mingling with shouts of victory loud,
As in dismay, the vanquish'd crowd

Before the conqueror flies.

I dream'd of DEATH-of HIDDEN THINGS;
I saw the gloomy Jordan's flow;

Saw angel bands, whose tireless wings
Bear them to watch o'er us below;

And caught a glimpse of that sweet rest,
Where through eternity, most blest,
The saints forever dwell,

Casting their crowns before the throne
Of God's exalted, glorious Son,

Who conquer'd death and hell.

I dream'd of PLEASURE. Dream'd, and woke.
The fever's spell was on my brow,
From Reason's chain light fancy broke,

And led her Mistress, captive now;
Led her through scenes of giddy mirth,
Through all the tumult of the earth,
Till reason, frantic grown,
Seized the rebellious sprite in wrath,
And turning to the home ward path,
Resumed her peaceful throne.

ΟΝ

L. H.

INFANT.

THE DEATH OF AN
FROM THE DUTCH OF DIRK SMITS.
A host of angels flying,

Through the cloudless skies impell'd,
Upon the earth beheld

A pearl of beauty lying,
Worthy to glitter bright

In heaven's vast halls of light.
They saw with glances tender,
An infant newly born,
O'er life's earliest morn
Just cast its opening splendor;
Virtue it could not know,
Nor vice, nor joy, nor wo.

The blest angelic legion

Greeted its birth above,
And came with looks of love,
From heaven's enchanting region:
Bending their winged way
To where the infant lay.
They spread their pinions o'er it—
That little pearl which shone
With lustre all its own-
And then on high they bore it,
Where glory hath its birth;
But left the shell on earth.

There too, in meekness, bends the lovely form
Of the young maiden-like the Spring's first rose→→
That He who rides upon the rushing storm

And sets the rainbow, carefully she knows,
Will hold her safe and guard from life's bleak woes;
The beautiful like her-the pure in heart,

Whose full affection like rich incense flows.
What thrilling joys within her bosom start;
For she, like Mary, loves the holier, better part.

And lo! the young man in his sunny prime,
With deep humility before the throne,
Like Israel's Minstrel of the olden time,
Pours the soul's music to his GoD alone.
Thoughts-bright-wing'd thoughts to heav'n have up-

ward flown,

"Is that land, my dear father, more lovely than ours, Are the rivers more clear, and more blooming the flowers, Does summer shine over it all the year long,

Is it cheer'd by the glad sound of music and song?"
"Yes, the flowers are despoil'd not by winter or night,
The well-springs of life exhaustless and bright,
And by exquisite voices sweet hymns are addrest,
To the Lord who reigns over the Land of the Blest!"
"Yet that land to my mother will lonely appear,
She shrunk from the glance of a stranger while here;
From her foreign companions I know she will flee,
And sigh, dearest father, for you and for me."
"My darling, thy mother rejoices to gaze
On the long sever'd friends of her earliest days,
Her parents have there found a mansion of rest,
And they welcome their child to the Land of the Blest."

"How I long to partake of such meetings of bliss,
That land must be surely more happy than this;
On you, my kind father, the journey depends,
Let us go to my mother, her kindred and friends.”
"Not on me, love; I trust I may reach that bright clime,
But in patience I stay till the Lord's chosen time,
And must strive, while awaiting his gracious behest,
To guide thy young steps to the Land of the Blest."

"Thou must toil through a world full of danger, my boy,
Thy peace it may blight, and thy virtue destroy,
Nor wilt thou, alas! be withheld from its snares
By a mother's kind counsels, a mother's fond prayers.
Yet fear not, the God whose direction we crave,
Is mighty to strengthen, to shield and to save,
And his hand may yet lead thee, a glorified guest,
To the home of thy mother, the Land of the Blest."
London Metropolitan.

My castle, my seal'd fountains, sacred court:
That shuts man out. There Holy conscience sits
Judging more keenly than the ermined judge,
Smiting more deeply than the warrior's sword-
More mighty than the sceptre; there my deeds,
My hopes, fears, vanities, wild follies, shames,
Are all arraign'd. So Heaven be merciful.

The man acquitted at the fearful bar,
Holds the first prize the round world has to give;
'Tis like Heaven's sunshine peerless. For all else
The praise of others is as virgin gold.
Earth's richest offering to be sought with pain,
Yet not to be pined for; worthy of all search,
But not of sorrow as th' inferior prize;
Not as our breath of breath, or life of life,
The flowing river of our inward peace,
The noble confidence that bids man look
His fellow man, i' the face, and be the thing
Fearless and upward eyed, that God has made him."

"And Mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire-and the whole mount quaked greatly."

Up roll'd the smoke of Sinai-on its brow
Jehovah stood--and at its quaking base
The tribes of Israel gather'd, bending low
In prayer for life and their Creator's grace.
Fire came with GoD and carpeted the hill,
And thunder heralded its Maker there;
And cloudy wings, and thrones uprising still
Fill'd higher up the shuddering realms of air.

One man, alone, of all who tread the earth

May climb that mountain throne, and stand unscathed
Where volumed lightnings roll in frantic mirth
O'er rocks and crags that oft in storm founts bathed.
The Law is given-and vast eternity
Re-echoed back the voice of Deity.

ETERNAL PROGRESSION OF HEAVENLY

HAPPINESS.

Dr. DWIGHT closes his sermon on the happiness of Heaven, with the following apt and beautiful comparison:

"To the eye of man, the sun appears a pure light; a mass of unmingled glory. Were we to ascend with a continual flight towards this luminary, and could, like the eagle, gaze directly on its lustre, we should in our progress behold its greatness continually to enlarge, and its splendor become every moment more intense. As we rose through the heavens, we should see a little orb changing gradually into a great world; and, as we advance nearer and nearer, should behold it expanding every way, until all that was before us became a universe of excessive and immeasurable glory. Thus the heavenly inhabitant will, at the commencement of his happy existence, see the Divine system filled with magnificence and splendor, and arrayed with glory and beauty; and, as he advances onward through the successive periods of duration, will behold all things more and more luminous, transporting, and sunlike, forever."

Love is the diamond, among the jewels of the believer's breast plate. The other graces shine like the precious stones of nature, with their own peculiar lustre and various hues; but the diamond is white-now in white all the colors are united: so in love is centered every other christian grace.

1st Treble.

3 b 4

Base.

3 64

HYMN 1.

1. Oh, may my heart, by grace renew'd, Be my Redeemer's throne;

And be my stubborn will subdued,
His rightful claim to own.

2. Let deep repentance, faith and love,
Be join'd with godly fear;
And all my conversation prove
My heart to be sincere.

HYMN 2.

1. Great GOD! the dawn of opening life
Has proved thy guardian care;
Oh! may we through all future years,
Thy grace and goodness share.

2. Now may we give ourselves to thee,
And in thy name confide;
And wilt thou, Lord, forever be
Our Father, Friend and Guide.