| Citation |
NECO.722.021
19-26 Nov 1722:11 (69)
To the author of the New-England Courant. Syr, My friend
Congreve says, in his Mourning Bride,
Music has charms to sooth the savage breast,
To soften rocks, and bend the knotted oak, &c.
But we have in this climate beasts of such savage natures,
that all the music in the world (tho' never so harmonious)
can never soften.
You well apprehend now the spirit of singing has possessed
this place, that it now seems almost impossible (and I know
you are glad if it is so) ever to eradicate this
transcendently noble employment; which however some would
call superstitious, because it can't be regulated by, and
subjected to their unmusical ears.
Not long since there was an instance of this superlative
folly in the N---n----h Church, by one who had lately
forewarned them of it, that if they sung after the manner
they used to do, he would go out of the meeting: They sung
very harmoniously, bass and tenor together, which he
observing, could not bear to be nuisanced with such pleasant
notes: He rises up on a sudden, and departs with as much
ill nature and bad humour as our mother G E (that is Earth)
can bear. And is it not a pity, that one that has not an
harmonious soul, should thus pretend to govern (or disturb)
an whole harmonious congregation? And is it not a pity,
that a church so sweetly musical, should be subjected to the
humour of this son of humour.
I am your constant reader, and wellwisher, Harry Consort.
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