institution of our ancestors; and, _you_ may say,
was intended for the promotion of harmony between opposite parties. When
it was first introduced, philharmonic art was in the state wherein it
had been left by Saint CECILIA, and had not arrived at the perfection
which it has attained to under M. JULLIEN. The wisdom of our ancestors
was greatly in advance of their music; their common sense was acute, but
their perception of sweet sounds obtuse; they had "a reasonable good ear
in music," according to _Bottom's_ idea thereof; let them have the tongs
and bones--give them _Bumper Squire Jones_, _Old Sir Simon the King_,
_The Roast Beef of Old England_, and the like, and they were content.
Tunes that the old cow died of animated them: they were enchanted by
melodies that now only charm the hearts of broomsticks. Elevated,
however, they were by these old rugged but patriotic strains, and in a
state of elevation they rushed to the poll, and did their duty as men
and Britons.

But now, what with the performances at Exeter Hall and the Promenade
Concerts, what with hearing _Israel in Egypt_, and _Rigoletto_, and
BEETHOVEN'S _Symphony in C. Minor_, and MOZART'S _Requiem_, and _Pop
goes the Weasel_, the public ear has got educated, and looks down--if an
ear can look, as perhaps it can in a state of clairvoyance--on a
perambulatory orchestra of free and independent Britons: independent
chiefly in their playing.

What then? Abolish election music? Do away with a great institution
because it has been inefficiently carried out? No; to be sure. Improve
it, in accordance with the requirements of the age. Don't put down
election bands; but give them better music to play; not, COLONEL, that I
shall contradict you if you say that there can be none better than _The
Roast Beef_, &c. Have pieces composed on purpose for elections;
symphonies breathing loyalty and order together with a spirit of economy
and retrenchment; pastoral symphonies expressive of the feelings of the
agricultural interests; marches infusing into the minds of voters
courage to resist attempts at intimidation: overtures of a lofty
character, different from COPPOCK'S. At Lincoln, where you could have it
all your own way, you might cause to be performed music descriptive of
dislike of the Whigs, and of want of confidence in HER MAJESTY'S
Government. There are, doubtless, musical effects representative of all
human emotions; disgust, even, at the recollection of the Crystal