AN EAR FOR MUSIC.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3021, 21 October 1878, Page 1

AN EAR FOR MUSIC.

We were in Morris's music store for a few moments the other afternoon. YoungMr Dauchy, who is quite a musician,; wanted us to hear an adaptation fromv - the "Chimes'of Normandy," which he thought was a very neat thing. We love > music; we become absorbed in it, and and saturated with it. It lifts us abovethe world and the things of time, and N leaves us floating noiselessly through.the., atmosphere of fond hopes and sweet, memories. We were glad when young Mr Dauchy proposed to play this piece., Mr Blowah was in the store at the time. He was telling us of a hunting expedition " the day before in which he had killed three birds in one shot, when the music, com* menced. He paused then. We turned our fall attention to the instrument. The player dashed into the overture. The movement was excellent if not brilliant. We concentrated every thought upon it, Mr Blowah said : v ,•;•"'■ -V " You are fond of music ?" We briefly said yes. , " Bom I. There ain't nobody fonder of music than I am. I ain't any myself but I can tell when a piece is played right as well as any of'em. They can't fool me on music." There was a spirited dash in the over* ture at this juncture. We were charmed. Mr Blowah said: '" Did you ever hear old Gibbs, of Slaw son, play the violin ?" ! : •■""•- We had not heard of Gibbs. In a ton« of as little interest as possible we said: '■"No."" v ■' ■>' -•" • " ■•'<■ ■ ■■•'- -----"Is that so? Why I thought everybody had heard him. He can more than shake a bow. He ain't got no equal in these parts, yon bet. : I wish you 7c6ttld hear him, you're so fond of music. If you could hear him play the "Bine Danube," you would be so taken up with it that you couldn't speak a word. Mr Blowah paused about eight seconds, in which space the " Chimes" floated sweetly, when he again observed : r' '" That's pretty good playingV ain't it ?" ' ■• . - ■■" • , " Yes," very briefly. "I've got a capital ear for music," he, | continued. '• I can tell in a minute when

a piece is played right. There's a-chap up in New Milford who has got a piano that's one of the best strung I ever saw. He can more-than handle it, too. I can't think of his name. Perhaps you know him?"

So perfectly delicious was the strain now given that we could not speak. We could only shake our head slowly. "No ? Well, that's odd. It's curious I can't think of hia name. It's Morgan or Harrigan, or something like that. ; There's a gan in it anyway. It does beat all that I can't think of that name. It's just as familiar to me as yours. I wish you'd go up there some day Bnd hear him play. He can play the.'Devil's Hornpipe ' and 'Home, Sweet Home' at the same time. He's a perfect wonder on the piano. Oh, you must go and hear him, if you want to know what music is. I could sit fend hear him all day without breathing," Grandly beautiful came the air, as he ceased. Our perturbed spirit fell into the sweet harmony and glided— " Did you ever hear Thomas's orchestra ? " inquired Mr Blowah. A noA of the head, half exhausted at that, was all the response we could make.

" How'd you like him ?" With a powerful wrench we tore ourselves from the delicieus air long enough to say, " Very much." "He's the boy to handle music, ain't he? I heard him in New York when he first began his concerts. I always go to bear the big guns. If there's one thing I like it's good music. I could hear good music for ever, I believe. It takes right hold of me, an' I'm all eaten up with it." He paused to re-light his cigar. A bit of the chimes like a sound of silver bells was being given. The execution was very fine. We rushed to embrace it. Mr Blbwah said: " The next time you go to the city let me know. I should like to take you round to a friend of mine in Fourteenth street. He has got a two thousand dollar piano, and they say it's the best toned instrument in New York. And he can more'n handle it. He's, played it ever since he was eight .years old, and takes to music as natural as a duck to water. You'd enjoy hearing him play, I can tell you, and I'd like to go there with you. What's the matter P Ain't you feeling well?" Before we could make |ny reply to this unexpected interrogation the Chimes ceased.

"You move around so restless, and look so white in the face," said Mr Blowah, eyeing us anxiously, "that I thought you might be sick. You ought to get out more where you can hear music, you're so fond of it. It will do you good." We gratefully thanked him for his kind interest, and crawled back to the office.