DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.61894#0202
172
CLASSICAL TOUR
Ch. V.
himself, the first bishop of the Christian church,
issuing' from the sanctuary of the noblest temple
in the world bearing the holiness of the myste-
ries, which he has just participated, imprinted on
his countenance, offering up his supplication in
behalf of his flock, his subjects, his brethren, his
fellow creatures, to the Father of all, through the
Saviour and Mediator of all. Surely such a scene
is both edifying and impressive.
The chaunt or music used by the papal choir,
and indeed in most catholic cathedrals and abbey
churches is, excepting in some instances, ancient.
Gregory the Great, though not the author of it,
collected it into a body and gave it the form in
which it now appears. The chaunt of the psalms
is simple and affecting, composed of Lydian,
Phrygian, and other Greek and Roman tunes,
without many notes, but with a sufficient inflexion
to render them soft and plaintive or bold and ani-
mating. St. Augustin, who was a good judge of
music, represents himself as melted into tears by
the psalms as then sung in the church of Milan
under the direction of St. Ambrose, and seems to
apprehend that the emotions produced by such
harmonious airs might be too tender for the vi-
gorous and manly spirit of Christian devo-
tion.* As the transition from song' to ordi-
Confess. lib. ix. cap. 6. 7. Lib. x. cap. 33.
CLASSICAL TOUR
Ch. V.
himself, the first bishop of the Christian church,
issuing' from the sanctuary of the noblest temple
in the world bearing the holiness of the myste-
ries, which he has just participated, imprinted on
his countenance, offering up his supplication in
behalf of his flock, his subjects, his brethren, his
fellow creatures, to the Father of all, through the
Saviour and Mediator of all. Surely such a scene
is both edifying and impressive.
The chaunt or music used by the papal choir,
and indeed in most catholic cathedrals and abbey
churches is, excepting in some instances, ancient.
Gregory the Great, though not the author of it,
collected it into a body and gave it the form in
which it now appears. The chaunt of the psalms
is simple and affecting, composed of Lydian,
Phrygian, and other Greek and Roman tunes,
without many notes, but with a sufficient inflexion
to render them soft and plaintive or bold and ani-
mating. St. Augustin, who was a good judge of
music, represents himself as melted into tears by
the psalms as then sung in the church of Milan
under the direction of St. Ambrose, and seems to
apprehend that the emotions produced by such
harmonious airs might be too tender for the vi-
gorous and manly spirit of Christian devo-
tion.* As the transition from song' to ordi-
Confess. lib. ix. cap. 6. 7. Lib. x. cap. 33.