The Air moved by the musical Motion of Instruments, moves the next, and so onwards (as we see in the circular increasing Motion of the Water, when a Stone is cast into it) till the like be produced in the Spirits of the Body, to which the Air is impelled.––Now, adds he, the Commotion of the Passions depends upon the Spirits, and the viscous Humour of the Tarantula is a very capable Subject of Sound: Hence the next Air being moved by a musical Tone suitable to the Patient, the lurking Poison, and Spirits of a Man are put into a Commotion; by which Agitation, the Nerves being vellicated, the Spirits vehemently stirred, and Muscles moved, the Dancing, or something like it, must of necessity ensue, by which the Cure is performed: For, by vehement Motion the Blood is heated, the Pores are opened, and the Poison rarified; which can’t be done by common Sudorificks, because the Medicines can’t reach, or at least can’t stir those little Particles where the Poison lies, as Motion by Dancing does.

I shall add here some Reflections on the Power of Musick, and give Instances of it in the human Mind, in animal, and inanimate Bodies.

MUSICK appears to be one of the most antient of Arts, and of all other, vocal Musick must have been the first kind, and borrowed from the various natural Strains of Birds[[322]]; as stringed Instruments were from Winds whistling in hollow Reeds, and pulsatile Instruments (as Drums and Cymbals) from the hollow Noise of concave Bodies. This is the Conjecture.

[322].

At liquidas avium voces imitarier ore,

Ante fuit multo quam carmina cantu

Concelebrare homines possent aureisque juvare.

Lucretius.

Musick has ever been in the highest Esteem in all Ages, and among all People. Nor could Authors express their Opinions of it strongly enough, but by inculcating, that it was in Heaven, and was one of the principal Entertainments of the Blessed. The Effects ascribed to Musick by the Antients, almost amount to Miracles; by means thereof Diseases are said to have been cured, Unchastity corrected, Seditions quelled, Passions raised and calmed, and even Madness occasioned.——

Musick has been used as a Sermon of Morality.... Athenæus tells us, that the Lives and Actions of illustrious Men were written in Verse, and publickly sung by a Chorus, to the Sound of Instruments, which was found to be the most effectual means to impress Morality, and a right Sense of Duty on the human Mind[[323]].