Arts, Fine. Napoleon Bonaparte, when at Milan, in 1797, then pushing his way onward by ceaseless activity, was addressed by the inspectors of the Conservatory of Music at Paris, with a request to use his influence, or his power, to procure for them collections of musical compositions from the Italian towns. In his answer is the following paragraph : -
"Of all the fine arts, music is that which has most influence on the passions, and which the legislator ought the most to encourage. A musical composition of an intellectual character, if the work of a master, never fails to touch the feelings ; and it has more influence on the mind than a good moral book, which convinces our reason, but does not influence our habits."