“the exercise of music is a great lengthner of life, by stirring and reviving the spirits, holding a secret sympathy with them; besides the exercise of singing opens the breast and pipes; it is an enemy to melancholy and dejection of the mind, which St. Chrysostome truly called ‘Devil’s Bath’. Besides the aforementioned benefit of singing, it is a most ready help for a bad pronunciation, and distinct speaking, which I have heard confirmed by many great Divines; yea, in myself have known many children to have been aided in their stammering in speech by it alone.” In the dark ages there was very little added to the knowledge of medicine, but during the Renaissance physicians became more progressive and articulate. Among these was the famous Willis who said that “Music not only is a delightful phantasy, but dispels sadness from the grieving heart; and it also allays fevered passions and excessive commotion of the breast.”[81] Characteristic of the use of music as an aid to healing is an anecdote quoted by Burney. Farinelli was one of the great operatic singers of his day and his fame was equally great in all of western Europe and England. One of the countries he visited was Spain. “It has often been related, and generally believed, that Philip V. King of Spain, being seized with a total _dejection_ of spirits which made him refuse to be shaved, and rendered him incapable of attending council or transacting affairs of state; the Queen who had in vain tried every common remedy that was likely to contribute to his recovery, determined that an experiment should be made of the effects of music upon the King, who was extremely sensible to its charms. Farinelli was summoned and on his arrival her Majesty contrived that there should be a concert in the room adjoining the King’s apartment, in which the singer performed one of his most captivating songs. Philip appeared at first surprised, then moved; and at the end of the second air, made the virtuoso enter the royal apartment. He plied him with compliments and caresses and asked him how he could sufficiently reward such talents, assuring him that he could refuse him nothing. Farinelli, previously instructed, only begged that his majesty would permit his attendants to shave and dress him, and that he would endeavor to appear in council as usual. From this time the King’s disease gave way to _medicine_, and the singer had all the honor of the cure. “The King,” according to the _London Daily Post_ of September 26, 1736, “settled a pension of 3,150 pounds sterling, per annum, on Signor Farinelli, to engage him to stay at court.”