We are not without modern Instances of Persons extraordinarily affected by the Powers of Musick, as appears from our Opera’s, and the very particular Devotion paid to the Farinello’s of the Age, and to Italian Musick, display’d in Temples as well as on the Stage, the first Erection of which was intended for the Honour and Defence of Virtue.
The Laconians were wont at the Death of their King to tinkle a Caldron, instead of a Bell: Yea, the Jews had their Minstrels at Funerals; for, at the raising to Life the Daughter of Jairus, ’tis said, the Musicians were commanded to troop off, Matth. ix. Before the Roman Funerals, a Trumpeter went, follow’d by the Præficæ, i. e. old Women, singing Songs in Praise of the Deceased.
Thus we have had a general View of Serpents, their Poison and Cure; and a particular Account of Persons wounded by the Tarantula, and cured by Musick; the Effects of which musical Operation, have past for Miracles; for, by means of it, dangerous Distempers have been cured, Insurrections quelled, Passions calm’d and raised, even to Distraction and Madness.
Antiently all Laws, Exhortations to Knowledge and Virtue, and Lives of illustrious Men, were written in Verse, and publickly sung by a Chorus to the Sound of musical Instruments, which was found a most effectual way to impress Morality. So much for Serpents in particular.
N. B. In the Description of some Serpents by different Authors, ’tis difficult to know whether they mean the same, or another; some having the same Description with different Names, and some different Description with the same Name. Another Mistake may arise from some Difference in the same Serpent, in different Climates, as in Situation (N. or S.) and Size.
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NATURAL HISTORY