Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1849-02-03
OLD SERIES VOL. b, NO. 10.
=, The following instance showsthat Scotch
music will make Scotchman do anything

scoTcHMEN AND SCOTCH MUSIC.
The following instance shows that Scotch
music will make Scotchman do anything
when out of his own country:
gentleman, who was frst-rate per-
former ofScotch music on the violin, spent
winter in Exeter, and of course sobh be-
came acquainted with the musical dlettanti
of the place. Dining one day with pro-
fessor, the conversation turned upon Scotch
music, and strong argument arose as TO its
bearing competition with foreign music;
the Scotchman, whom we shall for the pre-
sent designate the Fiddler, insisting that
when properly played, nothing could ex.
eel it the Professor, on the other hand, i'm
sisting that it was only fit for a barn-yard.
"I'll tell you what" says the, Fiddler,
"l'll lay you wager of :f5 that liza party
of Scotchmen can be got together, III make
them shed tears one minute, sing the next,
and dance the third"
"Done," said the Professor; "and if your
music is capable of that, will not only
pay you the f5 with pleasure, but will be
convinced that it is the most enlivening,
pathetic and best music in the world" =,
The difficulty arose as 10 getting an OPP
portunity for trial. But this was soon OBJ
waited by third party informing them that
a number of young Scotchmen dined an
nually at the Old London Hotel, on the an
nlversary of Burns birthday. This was a
capital opportunity for the fiddler. fot
these young men, being principally raw
boned, over-grown Scotch lads, who had
recently left their own country to carry
tea in the neighborhood, were the very ones
upon whom he was sure to make a hit.
All being now arranged, and the utmost
secrecy being agreed upon, the eventful day
was anxiously looked for. At length it
came and the Fiddler and Professor, by
an introduction to one of the party, got an
invitation TO the dinner. There were
twelve altogether sat down; and right
merry party they were. The Fiddler was
not long in perceving that he had got a.
mong a right musical set, and he waited pa
tiently till they were fit for anything. At
length he gave awink to the Professor, who
at once proposed that his friend should fa-
vor them with Scotch tune on the violin.
"Capital capital" cried the whole
party. j.
The violin was brought, and all were in
breathless anxiety. The Fiddler chose for
lis first tune "Here's health to them that's
awa," and played it in the most solemn and
pathetic manner. ,,.
"That's waefu' tune" said a great, big,
raw boned youth, to his next neighbor. !,
SIT is that, Sandy. There's meikle in
that tune, man. Ii remindsme O. ane that's 5
gomez" Jamie at the same time giving a
deep sigh, and drawing his hand over his
long, gaunt face, to hide the tears which
were trickling down his cheeks.
The Fiddler, with his keen eye, soon per-
ceived that, before he got through the sec
ond part of the tune, he would have them
all in the same mood. He therefore threw
his whole soul into the instrument, played
the tune as he had never done before; and
as the last four bars of the tune died away
like distant echo, there was not a dry
cheek amongst the company. Now is the
time, thought the Fiddler; and without
stopping moment, struck up, in a bold,
vigorous style, "Willie Brew'd Peck O.
Maui" Out went the handkerchiefs, and
away went the tears.
"Chorus." cried the Fiddler; and m an
instant all struck up
'For nae fou, we're ma tlat fou,
But just drappie in ee,
This cock may craw, the day may daw,
But aye wen taste the harley bree."
The song ended, up struck the Fiddle, in
his best style, the reel of ''Jenny Dank the
Weaver"
"Hey,ve devils !" cried Sandy.
"Scotland forevern' cried Jamie and
in an instant, tables, chairs and glasses were
scattered in all directions, and the whole
party dancing and jumping about like mad
men.
, Out ran the aifrighted Professor, (for he
did not know what might come next,) up
came the landlady with her terrified train
eliminates. Butnone burst enter the room,
the hurras and thumps on the floor being SC
boisterous; and il was only upon the entry
of Scotch traveller, who had just arrived,
and who cried TO the Fiddler for any sake
to stop, that order was restored.
r 1t is needless to say that the Professo,
paid his bet cheerfully, and was fully con-
, vinced of the effect Of Scotch music, when
, properly played and that the landlady
took care that the Fiddler never came into
her house again on Burns anniversary din
ner'-Eaglish Paper.