The visions of the soul, before it comes into the body in several dialogues / written by a member of the Anthenian Society.

DIALOGUE XV.

Betwixt Two Spirits, about the Mu∣sick of the Spheres.

1. Sp.

—I'M weary with that drumming sort of Noise; there's nothing but an Eternal Din of one Tune, o'er and o'er. There's better Musick, ten to one, every Bar∣tholomew-Fair.

2. Sp.

—Pray, let me ask you one Question: Is there any Musick better than the Original of all Musick?

1. Sp.

—No.

2. Sp.

—Very well: Then since these Musi∣cal Diastems, and these harmonious Motions, which proceed from the different Positions and Heighths of the Planets, and the Correspondent Symmetry of the Heavens, are the first Original of Musick, all other Harmony which the lower World pretends to, are but Imitations of this great Original. So that those little tickling Fancies of Ionick, Dorick, Phrygian, and

other Measures, are but a different way of Trial to come the nearest ours; and if Mor∣tality cou'd find out the true Spherical Musick, they wou'd never seek farther, nor alter it for any other, because 'tis impossible to desire or chuse an Imperfection, when Perfection stands by. But 'tis no wonder the World below us think the Musick of the Spheres a Fable, when one of our own Order shou'd undervalue it at such a rate. But perhaps you are of the same Opinion as Mankind, and these are only Words of Course, because you have a mind to be upon the Ramble.

1. Sp.

Truly, I am not very well satisfied, whether I hear any thing, or no.

2. Sp.

Yes, you hear, but without Con∣cern; which makes me believe, that you be∣long not to ours, but to the Animal Order, and in that Order you are design'd to animate an Ass, which, amongst all Creatures, never heeds Musick. You, and all Mankind, must grant, that the Planets move, and that Sound necessa∣rily proceeds from Motion, and that this Sound must either be sweet or harsh: Now, if a fix'd Observation of Numbers moderate the Mo∣tion, it effects a Symphonous Harmony, conso∣nant to such a Motion; but if it be not go∣vern'd by Measures, there proceeds an unplea∣sant Noise. But in this admirable Structure of the Heavens, there is nothing but setled Rules and Proportions, curious Differences of Magnitude, Celerity, and Local Distances, which are constant∣ly circumagitated through the Etherial Orbs; as in the following Figure.

[illustration]

'Tis this Systeme that all Musicians imitate; and those that come the nearest it, have made their Calculations from Arithm••tical Proportions, in which this last Age has exceeded all former ones, having now laid down Rules to reduce all Audibles into Visibles, or Visibles into Audibles; that is, can give Directions for Building a House, agreeable to the Measures of a Musical C••mpo••••re; or can play the Proportions of any ••ouse now built, upon a Musical Instrument. If Mankind ••earches a little deeper in the Musi∣c••l 〈◊〉〈◊〉, they will find out a Device to imi∣•••••••• our 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Musick by a voluntary Self-Motion,

or frame Instruments that shall play themselves.

1. Sp.

Say you so? Indeed, the Novelty of that wou'd cost me many a Ramble.

2. Sp.

But why love Musick on Earth, more than here?

1. Sp.

Because I find by my Heaviness, I am grown so like a Body, that I shall soon have such a Relation; and you know 'tis natural for all Beings to be affected with something like themselves: However, I'll be sure (if I can re∣member) to inform the Lower World of the Rea∣sonableness of Spherical Musick; and what Measures they ought to take, to come as near it as possible. In the mean time, Farewell.

2. Sp.

—Hold: If you design to visit the Lower World, you may be serviceable to 'em, if you put 'em in mind of using less Physick, and more Musick, since it alters all the Passions of the Mind, and is the readiest way to cor∣rect Grief, Anger, Pity, Love, Fears, Desires, and all other Passions of the Mind: And if the Mind may be thus regulated, their Physicians need not to be told how great an Influence it has upon the Body. Another Remark you may add, (if you are like to find Credit,) that 'tis on∣ly the Musick of the Spheres that keeps Angels and Spirits in a perpetual Health.