How often have we found that hard, _bitter_ mood into which the mind under the pressure of suffering which is irremediable, and which has to be borne alone, is so apt to decline--feeling the harder and the bitterer for the careless, galling gaiety of all around--softened, subdued, yea, utterly broken up by the sweet notes of "some old familiar strain," that steal on the willing ear, freshening and exhilarating the spirit like a breezy morning in June, when it seems a sin to be wretched; the twittering birds on dancing boughs crying shame on us, for what is not only wrong, but, as we begin to feel, needless--not to say foolish; and we return from our stroll, wondering what in the world we have done with that load on our chest with which we began our walk--ending in a regular ramble--and which it then seemed incumbent on us, nay, a sacred duty, to pant under for the term of our natural lives; relieving ourselves by such sighs and groans as appeared to us the appropriate forms of expression for all human beings under the sun--made on purpose to be unhappy; we especially, fulfilling the end of our creation. And as we mark the change that has passed upon us--the bounding circulation in place of flagging energies--full, calm breathing, instead of the slow, short respiration of sadness--with reverent heart we bless nature, and, may we say also, nature's great Architect, all-merciful, all-loving!
Such on us is frequently the effect of music; the heaviness of heart, caused by the weary rubs of this rough world, or the result of a temperament that has a constitutionally jarring string in it, is as it were _drawn out_, and sweetness and calm-breathing tranquillity infused in its stead; while our nerves become as the harmonious strings of a harp, that respond in sympathy with the master chords of one with which it is in unison, and whereon the fresh breeze of morning lightly plays, calling forth sounds of joy and gladness. Therefore do we _love_ it, with a warmth of affection that may perchance appear extravagant to those whose robust, well-balanced minds, clothed with strong, healthy, unsusceptible bodies--people who are always in good spirits, unless there be a reason for the contrary--may render them independent of such external influences, for we must acknowledge, that we do at times express this our affection in somewhat unmeasured phrase, as one who stays not accurately to calculate, and weigh with cool precision, the virtues of a friend, thus laying ourselves open to the unmitigated condemnation of those who soar above, (or sink below!) such sympathies.