UNIV. OF CALIFORNI PREFACE. THE spirit of song has ever shed a benign influence over the soul of man, brightening up the fire of its energies, and warming into bloom the flowers of its sympathies and affections. Oft has the magic numbers of the lyre awakened into life the nobler feelings of our nature, which else might have slept inert, and hidden within the deep recesses of the heart, like a faint lamp suspended in a sepulchre, doomed to give out but a languid flickering flame, unseen, unfelt, and desolate. History, sacred and profane, fully illustrates this assertion. The Psalms of David-and they are approached with reverence these glorious effusions of the royal and devout poet imparted fire to the mind, and vigour to the arm of the descendant of Jacob. Piety, and 815365 A 2 all its holy attributes; brotherhood, and all its social emotions; courage, and all its sparkling energies; all the virtues which adorn humanity, were called into full existence by the animating tones, the glowing imagery, and the inspired eloquence of the Harp of Israel. Coming down to the European nations, we find the Chansons of the French Troubadours, and the ballads of the minstrels of the British Islands acting with great directing power on the public mind and national character. The song of the troubadour in dulcet strains of glowing passion, breathing its hymns to love and beauty, imparted a romantic gallantry to the people, for which their descendants are eminently conspicuous. The verses of our national bards, the hereditary minstrels of baronial chiefs, those bold relators of the trophies of war and chase, aroused by such animating ballads as Chevy Chase, the hearts of the men of old, keeping alive the spirit of feudal fealty, and inciting to deeds of note and enterprise. The lyrics which succeeded the ancient minstrels are adorned with imperishable names; luminaries shone in the poetic hemisphere. Shakspeare, who, from the rich mine of his poetic wealth, would sometimes scatter bright gems of sparkling song; from him, down to Moore, the last and best of the lyric poets, whose fame is identified with the unrivalled music of his native land; all, have led and entranced the hearts and sympathies of the ages in which they won the trophies of immortal verse. Amongst the moderns we find famous instances of song. Dibden's sea songs have tended more to infuse a spirit of order, and loyalty, and friendship for their messmates, amongst British sailors, than all the coercions of all the admirals that ever paced the quarter-deck ever could have accomplished. Allan Ramsey's pastoral muse charmed the simple peasantry of Scotland, winning them away from the jealously of clanships and feudal prejudices, to thoughts of love, friendship, the cottage, and the plough; then, oh! then the full and enthusiastic strain of Robert Burns, flowing like a lark hymnall melody and nature-scattering in its soarings on the wings of inspiration, pride of nationality, and love of fatherland. |