American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-03-24
MUSIC.

We feel its power and can laugh or weep in
tender or impassioned words of the poet are
breathed forth in sweet, expressive cadences,
we can be subdued as by magic spell, or de-
lighted equally with the poet and the vocalist.
But 1t must be music, and it cannot 60 to the
heart if it does not come from the heart: and
hence, while the simplest and even rudest bal
lad can bring the tear to our eyes, the most
refined and elegant artistic execution is often
without effect upon us, or excites regret that
cunning execution and complicated strains
should, because they are difficult and intricate,
so win the admiration of the world.
We were lately present at a concert given by
Madame ANNA BISHOP, and during the per-
formance of Mr.. BAYLEY upon the cornet-a-pis-
ton, (AIr. BocHsA accompanying upon grand
piano,) an eccentric-looking gentleman near us
exclaimed, 81 would to heaven that old gentle
man would stop his noise and shut up that
box--I want to hear the n,usic" Mr.. BocHsA
is fine performer, and the instrument was of
superior excellence, yet the gentleman gave
utterance to our own wish.
That there is music in all nature, we have
often been assured by the poets; and art may
not be altogether incapable of producing it also.
1t must, however, be the auxiliary and subor-
dinate performer, until we have artificial ears
and hearts to hear and be moved by the sounds
It can create In the mean time we will record
its latest achievement. The ingenious and for
tunate dscoverer is Mr.. WILLIAM HoYT, of Du-
pont, Indiana, who thus describes his musical
instrument:
"Place pipe horizontally across the boilers
of steamboat, of such length and size as may
be proper; both ends of said pipe to be stopped
tight; in or near the centre, there must be q
connexion pipe to let the steam out of the boil
ers into said horizontal pipe. On top of said
pipe, there must be placed seven or more small
pipes, perpendicular. of such height as may
suit theseperator; on top of said small pipes,
place whistles of different sizes and tones, sim
liar to those used on locomotives and steam
boats Said whistles to be so made that the
top part viii screw down or up, so as TO regu-
late the sounds, while turning them at any con-
venent part of the boat place a set of keys TO
operate on said whistles, to let on and off the
steam by means Of pressing down those keys
similar to playing on piano; or there can be
a cylinder so arranged as 20 operate on the
whistles by turning crank similar to hand
organ"
The advantages of this apparatus are thus
set forth by Mr.. HoYT:
"Music can be made by steam on boat or
locomotive, as well as it can be played with
brass instruments, and much cheaper, much
louder, and without any loss of steam, as there
is always a surplus whilst landing, whilst at the
wharf, and when leaving. 1t is my candid
opinion that the western boys win hear 'Old
Dan Tucker Aud Lang Syne, &c, played
on the western waters by steam, Mt the dis
lance Of ten miles"
We admit the force of all the recommends
tions here given, and they are very forcible.
" Much cheaper, much louder, and without any
loss Of steam," are advantages not to be mis-
understood; and when I" Dan Tucker" and
" Aud Lang Syne" may be heard at distance
of ten miles, the necessity Of musical education
will be obviated at least within swarth Of full
twenty miles along all our navigable rivers and
lakes; and brass instruments Of weaker power,
and all softer tones, will be silenced in the
grand harmonic reform of this great age of