The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1849-04-17
SCOTCuMEN AND SCoTCH
MUSIC.

MUSIC.
The following Instance shows thai
Scotch music will make Scotchman do
anything, when out of his country -
gentleman who was first rate per.
former OF Scotch music on the violin,
spent winter in Exeter, and of course
soon become acquainted with the musical
dl!ettanti of the place. Dining one day
with professor, the conversation turned
upon Scotch music, and strong argu-
ment arose as 10 lis bearing competition
with foreign music; the Scotchman, whom
we shall for the present designate the Fd-
dler, insisting that when properly pia}ed,.
nothing could exceed it the professor.
OH the other and, insisting that it was
only fit fof barn-yard.
" l ]! tell you what, " saws the fiddler,
I'll lay you wager of sS5. that il par
~ Of Scotchmen can be got together, PlT
make them shed tears one minute, sing
the next, and dance the third. "
Done" said the Professor, land if
your music is capable Of that, | will not
only pay you the Is with pleasure, but
| will be convinced that II is the n ost en-
lIvening, pathetic, and best music in the
world. "
The difficulty arose as 10 getting an
opportunity for Il rial Bat this was soon
obvla'ed by third party informing theu
that number of young Scotchmen dinecf
annually at the Old London Hotel, or the
anniversary of Burns birth-dat T'his
was capital opportunity for the fiddler
tor these young men being principally
raw boned, Over-grown Scotch lads who
had recently left their own country To car
~ tea in the neighborhuod, were the very
ones upon whom he was sure to make a
hit.
All being now arranged. and the MT
most secrecy agreed upon, The eyentfuf
day was anxiously looked for. At length:
IT came; and the fiddler and Professor.
by an Introduction to nne Of the partv.-
| got an invitation to the dinner. There
were twelve altogether sat down. and a
right merry party they were. The fiddler
was not long in perceivilg that he had
got among right musical set, ah5 re
waited patiently till they wert Fl f5f ahy--
thing. At length he gave wi4s 10 rhe-
Professor, who at once proposed that his
friend should favor them with Scotch
tune on the violin.
Capital, capital, cried the VII le-
party.
The violin was brought, and all were
IN GREATNESS anxiety. The fiddler chose
for his first tune, Here's health 10 them
that's ava" aDd played it in the most
solemn and pathetic manner.
That's waefu' tune, " said bio
raw-bored youth to his nexi neiyhbor.
" Ii Is that. Sandy. There's mickle in
thattune, mon. Ii reminds me o. ane tha,'s'
game; James at the same time giving
deep sigh, and drawing his baud over his
long. gaunt face. TO hide the tears that
trickled down his cheeks.
The fiddler with his keen eye snoii per
ceived that hefnre he got through the sec
ond part of his tune. he would have them
all in the same mood. He therefore threw
his whole soul into the Instrument, and
played the tune as he had never done be-
fore and as the last four bars Of the tune
died away as the distant echo, there was
not dry cheek among tie company.
Now Is the time. thought ,he fiddler, and
without stopping moment. struck up, IN
bold. vigorous style, " Willie brew'd a
peck Of maui. Ont went the handker-'
chief; away went the tears.
Chorus cried tie fiddler and in
an instant all struck up
For we are nae fou we're nae that flu,
But just drappie in our &c;
The cock may craw, the day may draw.
But aye will taste the barley bree"
The song ended, up struck the fiddler
in his best style, the reel of Jenny dang
the weaver
"Scotland forever p cried Jamie and
in an instant, tables. chairs and glasses
were scattered in all direcnons,' and the
whole party dancing and jumping about
like madmen.
Out ran the professor, (for he did not
know what would come next up came
the landlady with her terrified tram of in
mates But none burst enter the room,
the hurrahs and ihumps onthe floor being
so boisterous; and it was only oil the en-
tree Of Scotch traveller, who had just
arrived, and who cried to the fiddler TO
stop, that order @as restored.
1t is needless TO say that the professor
paid his bet cheerfully. and was fully con-
WINGED of the effect of Scotch music when
properly played, and that the Iandlady took
care that the fiddler never came into her
house again on Burns anniversary DIM
ner.