THE LYRE OF ALPHA CHI OMEGA VOL. V. JANUARY, 1902. No. 4. MUSIC.-AN INFLUENCE. Music is of an untold age. It began at the very existence of things, when Nature herself sprang into life and beautified the earth with her loveliness. The melancholy crescendo of the wind through lofty pines sighed itself away into calm! The gentle lapping of the little waves on the shore, the mighty crashing of the ocean billows on a rock-bound coast, the sweet warbling of the birds-each gave utterance to an individual strain of wondrous melody. The thrill of music pervaded all Nature then as it does to-day-in the hum of the smallest in- sects, in the pattering of the rain-drops, now gentle and now furious. In this way did Nature strive to set us the example of pure tone, smooth swell, and delicate cadence. The Greeks considered music as an important factor in life. It was a part of the preparatory discipline of the Pythagoreans, a society whose aim was the moral education and purification of the community. They used it in chanting their epic poems and in their religious rites. Greek military evolutions were accompanied by music and prizes were offered for its perform- ance by voice and on instruments at the Olympic games. An important part in the education of every Greek boy was writ- ing the poetry of his native land from dictation. Then he re- cited and sang it. Thus, from his earliest years he was inspired with sentiments of courage and patriotism. Music moved his very soul and led him on to better deeds. 611