bring smiles to the face or tears to the eyes, hope to the dejected or
courage to the timid,--which can rouse the strongest impulses of love
and duty. The musical reformer who shall change the tide of popular
music from its present low channels to that higher sphere of sweet and
noble sentiments, will be far more than a Wagner,--aye, more than a
Luther.

Dr. Talcott, Superintendent of the Middleton, N. Y., State Asylum of
the Insane, has introduced music into all of the wards of his
institution with excellent results, judging from his last annual
report, from which the following is extracted. "It is said, that
before Moses dwelt upon the banks of the Nile, the Egyptians erected
temples and altars for the treatment of the insane; and, among the
most notable measures for the accomplishment of the cure of lunatics,
music took an exalted rank. There can be no doubt that music exercises
a potent influence in producing calm and restfulness in minds which
are disturbed by cerebral diseases. Musical instruments have been
provided in nearly every ward, and the results have been most
favorable. Even turbulent patients will subside when the pleasures of
music are afforded to them. One of the most effective attendants we
ever had upon our disturbed wards was a good musician. After his work
was done, he would sit down among his patients, and play upon the
violin. Immediately the most excited persons in the ward would group
themselves about him, and listen with profound attention so long as he
continued to play for them. Where good music can be provided for the
turbulent insane, there exists but little necessity for restraint of a
physical nature."

INSANITY.

The tendency of modern civilization is toward insanity. It is
increasing throughout Christendom, and far more where the boasted
influences of modern education and the so-called progress are most
fully realized. The whole fabric of education and society is unsound,
and this is proved by the results.

A true civilization advancing in wisdom must develop the ability to
correct its own evils, but the civilization that we have is drifting
on, downward and helpless.

The philosophy of insanity and the philosophy of its remedial
treatment can be found only in the profound study of the brain, and
its relations to the soul and body. But there is not a glimmer of the
psychic science of the brain to-day in our colleges. In due time, this
theme shall be discussed in the Jo