Among the many anecdotes related of persons whose lives have been preserved by music, is the following.
“A woman, being attacked for several months with the vapours, and confined to her apartment, had resolved to starve herself to death. She was, however, prevailed on, but not without difficulty, to see a representation of the Servo Padrona (a musical piece so called.) At the conclusion of which she found herself almost cured; and, renouncing her melancholy resolution, was entirely restored to health by a few more representations of the same kind.”
REMARKABLE EFFECTS OF A SWISS AIR.
There is a celebrated air in Switzerland, called, Rans des Vaches, which had such an extraordinary effect on the Swiss troops in the French service, that they always fell into a deep melancholy when they heard it. Louis XIV. therefore forbade it ever to be played in France, under the pain of a severe penalty.
We are told also of a Scotch air (Lochaber no more) which had a similar effect on the natives of Scotland.
THE DENMARK MUSICIAN.
There was a musician, formerly in Denmark, that so excelled in the art of music, that he used to boast, that he could, with his performance, set his hearers beside themselves, or make them merry, pensive, or furious, as he pleased. This he performed upon trial at the command of Ericus II. surnamed the Good, King of Denmark.
WONDERFUL POWER OF MUSIC ON MADAME DE LA MARCH.
Madame de la March, a young lady of beauty and virtue, (near to Garet,) upon report of her husband’s inconstancy, fell into such a fury, that, on the sudden, she would throw herself into the fire, or out at the window, or into a fish-pond, near her house, out of which she had been twice rescued: but was afterwards more diligently watched. The physicians attended her to no purpose, notwithstanding all their endeavours; but a Capuchin passing that way to crave alms, and hearing what had befallen her, advised that some skilful and experienced performer on the lute should be sent for, and continue to play by her, day and night, as occasion might require. This was accordingly done, and, in less than three months, the violent passion forsook her, and she remained, ever after, sound both in body and mind.