The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1845-10-02
NJ | S G E L L A N Y
From the New York Christian Messenger
The Cricket a muSicianmls he Vo
cal or Instrumental?

With the cricket suppose all my
young readers are well acquainted He
is citizen Of almost every place, and is
we'll spoken of and respected by almost
every body. Indeed he is general IA
vorite both in summer and winter, among
the old and the young In summer h.
takes to the fields aud amuses himself
with a country life. Then beneath hedg-
es, in stone walls, under stumps, etc,etc.
he is as happy as the day is long. In
winter he betakes himself to more secure
and warmer quarters. In this inclement
season he loves 20 creep in about FIRE
places and under hearth tones and in the
long winter evenings when the storm is
raging without, or the cold is so severe
as almost to nip your nose and fingers off,
he will eep up his music by the hour to-
gether. He then takes no note Of time. ,
and sometimes sits up all night 'as merry
as cricket
But though my young readers have
seen the cricket and listened to his mu
sic so often, | very much doubt whether
half of them can tell how he makes it.
People generally speak of the cricket's
singing; though should prefer to use
the word thirpang. II is not commonly
known whether his music is vocal or in
strumental, and though the matter is not
very important, it is still pleasant and IN
terestlng to be acquainted with the facts
IN the case. So if there be no objection
will give little narrative which will
illustrate the subject.
Many years ago when was not larger
than some Of the little boys now reading
this article, my attention was one day at
tracted, IN crossing field, by the loud,
shtill music OF cricket at no great dis
lance from me. There were many 9TH
ers as merry as he around me, but the
music of the one ofwhich speak, sur.
passed all the rest lie obviously stood
pre- eminent in his art, and thong ht him
Professor. was delighted to hear
him, but was at the same time seized with
an unaccounable desire to see lin per.
form. ! was curious to know how lit
tie cricket could manage to make so
much noise, and make it so constantly
resolved, therefore, If the thing we're
possible to have a sight Of him and get
at his secret. In carrying this resolution
into effect Itook two or three steps to
ward the place where judged him to
be, in the immediate vicinity Of half
rotted stump. But my musician was not
fond Of human auditors, and ceased at
once. This showed me that with all his
skill and excellence he was also modest.
He was not public Professor, but only
an amateur who played orsang (lor this
matter was not yet decided) for the graf
ification of private circles, and did not
wish to appear in public. waited pa
tiently for several minutes without s,irr-
ing foot, or even breathing aloud. At
last my musician commenced again. -
This time | was more cautious, and sue
ceeded in getting two or three wards
nearer him when suddenly he stopped
again. But was not to be overcome
by difficulties or worn out by delays.
had the whole afternoon before me, and
determined to crafty my curiosity.
therefore waited again, Bnd this tme lon
ger than before. Finally, however, my
amateur struck up again, though at first
very family, with two or three ckirps,