Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-04-17
greatest delight. He commenced playiuc M.

greatest delight. He commenced playing up
on 1t at once, and in a few weeks acquired a
skill that surprised every one He is now
three years old, and performs in public. The
editor Of Woodworths' Youths Cabinet gives
his juvenile readers an account OF one of these
performances, which we extract - eas tet
=" heard him perform in public. The lit
tie fellow seemed to be half disposed to retreat
when he was brought upon the etage. The
sight of so many people, for it was in Tripler
hall, the largest musical hall in the Country
frightened him. Bnt as soon as the conductor
OF the performance tapped few times on the
drum, the enthusiasm Of the child was 50 much
excited, that it completely overcame his fear,
and ne commenced playing with as much as
surance as II he was in the nursery instead of
Tripler Hail. 20
A gentleman performed on the fife, while
the little prodigy accompanied ON the drum. -
lie marched back and forth on the stage, with
the air Of drummer twenty years old. His
march was regular, too, for the most part
The fifer would play one tune awhile; and
right in the midst Of it, break off from that,
and play another, perhaps Of an entirely diff
ferent character, and in different time. But
the drummer would instantly notice the change
and vary his drumming accordingly. A,
The audience applauded him a good DEAL
This disturbed him.. He was not prepared for
such noises as the clapping of hands, and the
pounding of canes and umbrellas on the floor,
and evidently did no: know what to make of
snch performances. Doubtless it seemed to
him that the music ought all to come from the
stage and perhaps he was suspicious that TIE
audience were something of an opposition.-
However that may be, he was confused when
they aPplauded, and several times stopped
playing, apparently dissatisfied. He cannot
speak plainly, but he managed, after fashion,
to say Stop two OF three times, accompany
ing the command with rather threatening
motion of his drum-stick towards the audience.
His face is fair, and there is nothing in it,
that would indicate him to be older than he
really Is. The forehead is very full, and phre-
nologists could not help noticing at once, that
there is something peculiar in the formation Of
the front part of the head E.u .',y-r3.iI
b On the whole, regard the child as one of
the wonders of the age. / have never seen
one SO young take such an interest in music,
and have never heard of one at that age, who
could perform snch wonders on the drum
What this early development of genius will
lead to, am snre | cannot tell If he lives,
and his musical powers keep pace with his
years, he will astonish the world. | say, if
he lives. Were he a child of mine, / should
tremble for him. H.+.. t,...
should fear that the mind, or portion of
it, would be developed at the expense of his
body. To speak as an engineer, | should be
afraid that the engine would be too strong for
the boat, and shake it to pieces. On that ac-
count, | should hesitate, think, before cum
sented, however agreeable it might be to 9TH
ers, to foster his musical genius to any great
extent, while still mere infant But of that,
his parents mus. be the Judges of course. a.sd