The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online

RECORD: Darwin, C. R. n.d. Music / Quote H. Spencer. CUL-DAR85.A2-A3. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 3.2022. RN1

NOTE: See record in the Darwin Online manuscript catalogue, enter its Identifier here. Reproduced with permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library and William Huxley Darwin. The volumes CUL-DAR80-86 contain material for Darwin's book Descent of man (1871).

Darwin cited this in Descent 2: 336, n33: "See the very interesting discussion on the Origin and Function of Music, by Mr. Herbert Spencer, in his collected 'Essays,' 1858, p. 359. Mr. Spencer comes to an exactly opposite conclusion to that at which I have arrived. He concludes that the cadences used in emotional speech afford the foundation from which music has been developed; whilst I conclude that musical notes and rhythm were first acquired by the male or female progenitors of mankind for the sake of charming the opposite sex. Thus musical tones became firmly associated with some of the strongest passions an animal is capable of feeling, and are consequently used instinctively, or through association, when strong emotions are expressed in speech. Mr. Spencer does not offer any satisfactory explanation, nor can I, why high or deep notes should be expressive, both with man and the lower animals, of certain emotions. Mr. Spencer gives also an interesting discussion on the relations between poetry, recitative, and song."

[in margin:] Music

This seems Thus [3 words illeg], but place to make a few remarks on man's capacity for song, & through the development of song (Music), as generally admitted for music. This is one of the most mysterious attributes of man, for it leads to no good. If we look to lower animals, the power of monkey noises, & of adult musical notes with birds, is a sexual character & thus acquired - It deserves notice that these characters often differ wonderfully including allied forms; so as very strong [illeg] that no monkey, except possibly the male Mycetes courts the female by his voice. If, having we make certain the conjecture that the progenitors of man, before perhaps even language was invented courted the ♀s, or the latter attracted to males by any sort of music or cry or howl, which varied according to fixed or varied tones & in different notes - & which wd certainly be associated with

[1v]

Some sort of music, they maintain by hideous [illeg] through the world with savages.

It is not strong that a Negro or savage, if he has the faculty even in humble music, shd occasionally be capable of high standards of improvement - like a parrot speaking

one of the strongest emotions which they were thus capable viz triumph - rivalry ardent love & tenderness &c, we get a glimpse of the extraordinary manner in which music in its perfected state excites an emotion & calls up strong sensations, as of long past thing - unknown feelings - quote H. Spencer. The emotion are of triumph, as when one must conquer of another, of tender love - passing into adoration & generally to gentle feeling - Rage, fear, & horror are not then excited - Love is state the element useful of song & lover - On this view it is [intent] that the oldest poem shd have been chanted - that old oratory shd have been poetical - that under strong excitement the voice became musical - the cases of H. Spencer theory.

[2v]

Blyth, correct quote concerning (Scudder) was surely to learn steps.

abstract

crys characteristic love developed with musicality

[3 lines crossed]

Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)