James Wood, comp. Dictionary of Quotations. 1899.
James Usher
Music is a language directed to the passions; but the rudest passions put on a new nature and become pleasing in harmony.
Music wraps us in melancholy, and elevates in joy.
The most elevated sensation of music arises from a confused perception of ideal or visionary beauty and rapture, which is sufficiently perceivable to fire the imagination, but not clear enough to become an object of knowledge.
The noblest charms of music, though real and affecting, seem too confused and fluid to be collected into a distinct idea. Harmony is always understood by the crowd, and almost always mistaken by musicians.