The Sun.
London, England, 1854-06-08 00:00:00

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14. F s VA

A MUSIC AL FAMILY. __ i , ,
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(From Eliza Cook's Jouena; ! : Our Muskil Oor% er.)-
We know the Thornbene v family to be very we orthy
people. They were once well off, and kept a large I louse
in a large square, with a foot oan, all drab and st ti erlet,
and a page, "all green and yellow ;" though we c a .nnot
give the full quotation by :adding ``melancholy,'" for
Rupert was one of the merriest domestic plagues: that
ever privately perplexed a mistress or publicly ague ed a
housemaid.
The Thornberrys were of that class of enthusiastic de.
votees to Apollo, known as "music mad." Their es retie
ing parties recognised no rational method of passing the
hours but that of " singin.g and playing" unceasing ly ;
and we always dreaded being invited to them, aril we
were certain of having " too much of a good thing ;". but
then we could steal away after an hour's appearance, . and
not be missed from this spacious rooms and crolee ded
assembly ; now the case is altered. The Thornbee rys
are sadly reduced in circumstances, and are obligeCt to
live in one of those dreary, miserable-looking rowu of
eight-roomed houses found in the streets about the 04 m-
merciahroad, with one female drudge, who supplies th sir
household demands, as a general shop does a count try
village, with everything required, from bacon anti bi at-
ter to blacking and brickdust. The footman and ihe
" searletlive see no longer, but the "drab" remrtins
painfully visible. The "green and yellow" page is golly,
but the "melancholy" seems plentifully added. Gee's
are had in by the single ton—whether to aceommod a to
the limits of cellar or purse we will not question. The
girls' merino dresses are always " turned" for the secot id
winter ; and the boys' coats are evidently " revived" at
collars and seams. They have a number of "make-uio"
dinners, which signifies six mutton-chops for seseen
appetites ; and they have taken a wonderful fancy .to
talking by firelight, scrupulously keeping the candles
unlighted for the perfect enjoyment thereof. Mrs,
Thornberry is an elderly lady of great personal pride,
which, contrary to that of the peacock, has always chiefly
exhibited itself in the arrangement of her head. We can
recollect her wearing such feathers and such ribbons sia
used to astonish our young mind, but lately she has often
declared that quiet bead-dresses are most becoming to
ttomiofmof
itdehoeewrl
atel or
ifhboaaer
vndeao
ornament
rr
fiekeco-nocwtgo
eanl
robi
sus
about
tdnt
the
known
her years ; and she accordingly mounts a most unimposing
nms awematilshei,cin,h‘,Vg'ifTrwtieahrilnlOtaehUlttadihnotiaegiy.nl,ed,bniegcl.vatOhtnel74.l
praiseworthy are these economical
sacrifices
on the part
of the Thornberrys, and we respect them highly for such
conduct ; but there is one inconsistency still ersisted in
by them, they will give "musical parties," and the pos-
session of the wiry skeleton of one of Broadwood's
pianos, coupled with their mania for singing and playing,
are the causes of rather pitiable attempts at their olden
entertainments. The manner in which they now "gee
up" musical evenings inspires us with equal regret and
dread. These evenings occur about once in theee months,
and we are always asked to join them. The Thornberrys
now limit their invitations to the friends who are
supposed to have a genuine love of music, and, unfore
tunately, we are among the number. They always
muster three or four among the party who are as insanely
devoted to harmony as themselves, but whose talent and
voices are somewhat questionable, although they may bee
professionally educated, or enthusiastically ready. The'
last of these evenings spent there tried us to such a de-
gree, that we fear we must be "indisposed" when our
next invitation arrives. We will just give a sketch in.
few and light lines of the affair, for the full, Rembrandt
depths of detail would be too wearisome to offer.
It was a cold and rainy night. Five miles in a very
objectionable cab did not add to our natural vital power,
and, on our arrival, we shivered like a shaken blancmange,
as we entered a fireless bed-room, where a solitary candle,
before a small dressing-glass, was quivering and guttering,
as though ashamed of beholding its reflected form. The
cheerless gloom struck to our heart, and we felt as if we
were going to a funeral, without hopes of a legacy. We
descended to the front parlour without the slightest
attempt to put ourselves to " rights " and there found
about twenty persons, sitting in stately propriety, under
the illuminating influences of dark grey paper, touched
here and there with stone-coloured damp ; dingy brown
windown-curtains, faded Turkey carpet, and four com-
posites, two on the mantelpiece, and two on the remains
of " Broadwood." A black teaboard, relieved with green
tea, white sugar, and sky-blue milk, was at the end of
its voyage round the room. We took a cup of fluid for
ceremony's sake ; but before we had finished it, the eldest
Miss Thornberry made a move to the heap of music on a
little side-table, and seemed vainly seeking for some par-
ticular composition, though we firmly believe she knew
perfectly well where to put her hand upon it. Mr.
Crackerly, an elderdly gentleman, one of the Thornberry's
Cecilian band, with very red face and very curly wig, flaw
to assist her. Miss Selina Thornberry went to assist
both ; and, after a few moments of serious whispering,
the announcement was made, " that they were going to
do" " When Time was entwining." Accordingly, a pro-
found stillness and silence were instantly observed, for it
would affront the Thornberry's for ever to speak or stir
while "music" was going on ; and we had to embrace our
cup and saucer without moving a muscle, until the glee
was finished. We then hurried it on to the table, and
took a long breath ; but before we had time to brush away
the imaginary cobwebs from our nose with our full-
I dress mouchoir, Miss Fitzquaver, of the R.A. took the
vacated seat, and commenced the " Overture to Der
Freyschutz." Now, this overture, above all others, re-
quires at least one good instrument, and one good per-
former ; but the poor old Broadwood was unequal
to the task, and so was Miss Fitzquaver. However,
what the lady wanted in science she made up in
rapidity, which we secretly thanked Heaven for, and
she was led in triumph from the stool by Mr. Crack-
erly, while every tongue expressed its sense of gra-
titude for her condescension, and admiration of her
execution. " Now Mr. Sweetman, toil/ you kindly
oblige us ?" said Mrs. Thornberry, with a sort of coax-
ing dignity ; and a pale youth, with a blue waistcoat and
white satin straight-jacket about his neck, immediately
produced an elegant Concertina, and hinted his acquire-
ment of some exquisite variations on "Annie Laurie." Of
course, every one would be delighted to hear them ; but
alas ! the young gentleman was either nervous, or had
neglected to practice sufficiently, for he made a "sad mess"
of poor "Annie ;" and even Mr. Crackerly, with all his
good nature, advise • d him to " try something else ;"
and we had another ten minutes of very inferior enter-
tainment to listen to. We had hoped at the conclusion
Ito have a chance of some " talk" with Mrs. Flower-
-1 flounce, who is " well up" in all the private scandal of
Belgravia, and always makes herself " a charming com-
panion," at the mere expense of truth and reputation.
We had only just learned from her that Sir William
Spooney had got himself into Jewish bondage to a fearful
extent, and that Miss Flashem had eloped with her papa's
groom, when the first notes of " The Standard-bearer"
struck us dumb, and we were all stock-still for another
quarter of an 'hour. Mr. Crackerly had just handed the
small young lady, who had most appropriately essayed
thin fine song, to her seat ; and we ventured to walk
across the room, with the intention of getting out of a
strong (... raue 1 eht, and speaking to Mrs. Thornberry on some
"
interesting. domestic topic. We had only arrived at the
important declaration, that we thought her son Edward
to
was somewhat stouter, when the old lady managed
sit
place herself on half of her seat, and whispered
opinion of
' "Just
down on my chair, my dear, and
give
e meyour
for the stage, I
Mr. Suckling's voice. He is intended
believe, and they say he has a
od work, and dear
superbe `tenor.' ' As
Mr. Suckling had already
°muleu
shoulder, we could
Mrs. Thornberry's hand was on our
do nothing less than sit in a state of wretched
cramp
Suckling strained and struggled
cramp while Mr.
le Diable, which we had
through an air from Robert
few evenings before.
heard Sims Reeves sing
at
awrath at the continuous
We were waxing somewhbut,
alas ! we were doomed
' retch oc our patience ;but, for for another hour,
s, re•
( • " and nothing 'me Edward Thorn
to ' music,
~
was spoken of. •
when "supper
took us into the
back
te over the three yards
berry
our rou
...
informed us during
ther Henry, a lad of sixteen,
of
passage, that his bro
the violin in the supper-r
on , of
going to give a itolo
cold f bath, and swallowed P
We felt in a sort o drywax
constituency with desperate
none•
with of unknown
asclesperately, to drown its
I teed.
- attempting, .
s beverage, recognised : deghlti-
tit, '3l
i - class of mysterious beverage,
amiable people as " sherr
meteor
-n a'" . hearted and anila
our elbow
kind- esaid some one at
by rd, At Parties
had enough of Y* " "Do
try a costa-
rep`"'ied ; " we have
"we
e "'bank
you,nt r.
at thi'i nicnne - -d silence for the solo..
demai. the tart ; and
the table to
fiddler was more cones
nife-handle
. the•. The fiddle °n
tune,
ees of growl, sq
out of
wad
sixteen Paa Ated
impatier than cern
tent • gild
to the extremity of
soot'us in ongratulati, 'leak, and serape
self from c
•Ce• No serape,
Mr Henry
neighbourhood of thesooner had
self into the
managed to tai alas, and flue him,
Edward, who had
red, in th tins— - ,
r y caste, than M
voluntee
the decanters,
with "Th ee family liberties 1..
es I"
with
vation, to favou." of his el
a.
We bog= to grasp e Glassesauto aa.
esea for p eon th
and contemplated a' polite sheer wantof b a
amed ge pe from the reath, in. g, when the last-n .
..,
~ harmonic meet-
another glass (:)! portt , la
w ICI apenaan, on the strength of sems'ire character vs ust c
,e4,al.rorn its very opaque and
(.shaeles, intima tea, that herhc ndilly have come from the
Sax bee -n. We are Iva fro.' 47 ourach lately taken to study the
rather int Ire into tilt.' N Vhilt : tnd hastaeirneid3ushed three ladies
ourselves, , 'slid depart heron 3we lost all c upstairs to muffle
temper. A. %we dese 'elacle( 1, Mrs. Thoronnibmand otver our
ted
us to listen to Edward, Why 3 was about to tery arry aLlivrilalish
melody on his 1.,0rn. 'W :e' h elieve we uttered some slight
untruths about ,"' mt. den p ain in our chest, and fought
our way into a cab, with i nervous intrepedity. Oh,
what a relief it was la get out of that densely musical
atmosphere ; how ea-em esi ,ly we vowed never to ac-
cept another invitation. t 1 the Thornberry's parties,
and how we mean to keep that vow. Bye will
go and see them undei . any reasonable state of
discomfort ;we will put i ip
,twith " cold shoulder,"
'gilt—in weak tea, lengthened twit
nsic—i
evening. short, with any.
thing savo an " entirely" re
.
pity it is that people atternre , what not the
moans to carry out prope
a . Our respect for the
Thornberrys is unabated ; but ,they Faust excuse ou
being again martyred at the go, uie of a morbid inf t
r
a et,.
tion. Now that we have yen tedi a-ur grumbling
we will
proceed to business, though we h.yve_ a suspicion that
" our boy Tom" holds our en'ticising duties in all sad
light as as we do the ThornbeiApollonian f a
ewe
for we hear that he has room ale d as to our playing, ~
precious lot of stupid, ugly O. .i.ogs." w, must e a
lighten him as to the composers lam nie BOrnetirned in
fault
rather than ourselves." ELIZA COOS,
—.,—____............

FIRE.— On Tuesday morning, early, A fire broke out
in a mill occupied by Mr. R. H. I3illeter, of Barcombe,
near Lewes, and used for the double purpose of grind-
ing flour and manufacturing oil from linseed. The en-
gines had to be fetched a distance of four miles, and,
although well worked, could not prevent the destruction
of the mill. The injury dna ig eptigaged at sot his
Ulu SOM.