Cheyne, George (1671-1743)

The English Malady: or, a Treatise of Nervous Diseases of All Kinds

London

Printed for G. Strahan

1733

"I have formerly suggested, that the best Similitude I can form of the Nature and Actions of this Principle upon the Organs of its Machin, is that of a skillful Musician playing on a well-tun'd Instrument."

I have formerly suggested, that the best Similitude I can form of the Nature and Actions of this Principle upon the Organs of its Machin, is that of a skillful Musician playing on a well-tun'd Instrument. So long as the Instrument is in due Order, so long is the Musick perfect and compleat in its Kind. As it weakens or breaks, the Harmony is spoil'd or stop'd. Some of the Parts of this Instrument being more delicate than others, are sooner disorder'd or broken. The great and principal ones, which preside over and actuate the lesser, are Strong and Durable, and require a greater Force and Violence to disorder them; but when once they are worn out, spoil'd, and ruin'd, the lesser and dependent ones are involv'd in their Fate, and the Musician must necessarily shift his Place and Scene. It is the Nature of all material Organs to decay and be worn out by Time. [...]
(69)

Machine Music::Instrument Population::Musician

Reading at the British Library

At least 8 entries in ESTC (1733, 1734, 1735).

See The English Malady: or, a Treatise of Nervous Diseases of All Kinds, As Spleen, Vapours, Lowness of Spirits, Hypochondriacal, and Hysterical Distempers, &c. In Three Parts. Part I. of the Nature and Cause of Nervous Distempers. Part II. of the Cure of Nervous Distempers. Part III. Variety of Cases That Illustrate and Confirm the Method of Cure. With the Author’s Own Case at Large. (London: Printed for G. Strahan in Cornhill, and J. Leake at Bath, 1733). <Link to ESTC>

06/20/2014