Chapter I: Preface

In this work, I have endeavored to bring together the most curious points in the music of many nations, ancient and modern. As the work originally appeared in a magazine (“The Vox Humana”) I was obliged to avoid any extended research into disputed points, such as Hebrew music, Greek music, water organs, etc., as being too abstruse for periodical reading. Yet many of the facts contained in its columns have not yet found their way into English literature. This was so entirely the case with Chinese music, that I was tempted to somewhat transgress my limits on this subject, it being, apparently, a neglected one. In all the other chapters I have merely sought out such facts as would interest, and present a comprehensive idea to the general reader, whether musical or not.

My hearty thanks are due to Col. Henry Ware, and Mr. J. Norton, of Boston, for many facilities afforded and suggestions offered, in the course of compiling this book. If it fills an unoccupied niche, however small, in musical literature, it will have fulfilled the desire of

The Author.

CONTENTS

I Introduction 7
The Hindoos 8
II Ancient Egyptian 15
III Biblical and Hebrew 26
IV Ancient Greek Music 35
V The Public Games of Greece 39
VI The Philosophers, and Greek Social Music 53
VII Greek Theatre and Chorus 67
VII The Dances of Ancient Greece 79
VIII Ancient Roman Music 85
IX Music of the Roman Theatre 95
X Music of the Roman Empire 99
XI History of Chinese Music 114
XII Chinese Music and Musical Instruments 142
Of the Sound of Stone 145
Of the Sound of Metal 148
Of the Sound of Baked Clay 149
Of the Sound of Silk 149
The Sound of Wood 151
The Sound of Bamboo 153
The Sound of Calabash 155
Miscellaneous Instruments 156
The Sound of the Voice 158
XIII Chinese Musical Compositions and Ceremonies 162
Hymn to the Ancestors 164
XVI The Chinese Theatre and Dances 176
XVII Music of Japan 201
XVIII Music of Savage Nations 229
XIX African Music 251
Praise of Dingan, A Very Celebrated Chief 254
XX Music of the Early Christian Church 280
Greek Church 288
Syrian Church 290
The Armenian Church 292
The Churches of Africa 293
General Synopsis of Early Christian Music 296
XXI The Ambrosian and Gregorian Chant 299
XXII Music in Europe from the Fifth Century 308
XXIII The Ancient Bards 323
XXIV The Troubadours and Minne-Singers 329
XXV Curiosities of the Opera. Modern Composers, and Conclusion 352
Footnotes 364
Index. 365

CURIOSITIES OF MUSIC.