Complete Encyclopaedia of Music/A/Arts, Fine
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."