Influence with cover

music, came to have an habitual shrinking from discord of any kind.

Music is a medicine for the temper. Many a mother almost distracted with the care of a fretful child can make no better investment of a little time than to go to the piano and play a few simple airs; at first something soft and plaintive, then gradually brightening and quickening the music. It will not only help the child but the mother will be surprised to find how her own nerves have been soothed and rested. The shadows are gone, the sunshine is come. Not only babes but adults can sometimes be conquered by music. When Napoleon exploded into one of his ungovernable furies, Josephine was wont to play to him one simple but beautiful air which always soothed and pacified him.

When the father has returned home weary from the manual or mental toil of the day, why should not the children, if they can play or sing, brighten the evening hours with music?

Memories of these evenings will lighten the toil of the following day. Music is not merely for show and company. The father whose evenings and Sundays are cheered by music either vocal or instrumental will feel that he has made a good investment of his money in providing musical instruction for his children.

Those who can play or sing should be forever done with silly excuses and simpering hesitation. When friends want music give it as graciously as you would grant any other favor.

Forget self and simply do your best. Excuses spoil the music before it is rendered.

Those who have some musical ability are under a sacred obligation to cultivate the gift by persevering, painstaking practice. The world is full of discords, and he who can introduce one more element of harmony is a benefactor of the race. So also is he who can put in a song where there was but a sad silence.

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