The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1852-04-22
WHOLE NUMBER Sc.


much consideration, resolved on that
hazardous experiment of making their
first appearance as professional singers.
Fearful that by failure they might
bring the family name into contempt,
they resolved to announce themselves as
The Eolian Vocalists, and accordingly
a programme with that prepossessing
head to it, was, after sundry and divers
miraculous efforts, and most astounding
labor, prepared for the public eye. This
which also served as post
er, was something of curiosity in its
way when it appeared on wall, for it
was by no means mammothian affair,
being about three inches in length by
two and half in breadth, and conse-
quently required vigilant eye to detect,
and microscopic optic to read it, This
poster was affixed to fences and walls
by Judson, Hutchinson and Asa, who
concocted the paste, history records
not-and as to the brush, it is highly
probable that fingers suficed for the
occasion. Enough to say, that the good
people of Wilton, small town in their
native State, were informed, by those
said posters, that 'The K,olan Vocalists'
would perform in the Baptist Church,
and forcible appeal was made to their
nationality by one of the brothers, Jnd-
son, in the following lines, which ap-
peared in the modest programme
ssWbap foro;rnors oL ,usLo..s
| You welcome them with open doors;
Now we have come to seek our lot,
Shall native talent be forgotp'
Great and manifold were the prepara-
tions for this first concert To guard
against the possibility of break down,
through hoarseness, the vocalists furnish
ed themselves with supply of pickles,
peppermint, lozenges, and water, which
they silly concealed until returned The
nervousness incident to such an occasion
was Of course felt when the hour arrived.
and an audience of upwards of fifty
persons, at twelve and half cents
each, occupied seats. Everything went
off capitally, and after the performance
many remained to congratulate the
singers. So far all was encouraging.
Praise was sweet, but pence are sweeter.
The latter were far less plentiful than
the former, as is indeed is frequently
the case, for the congratulations far out
balanced the cash. After all expenses
were paid Git should be mentioned to his
honor, that the door-keeper on this oc-
casion took out his pay in music y
finance committee of the Eolian Vo-
caliss was held, and surprising
surplus of exactly six and quarter cents
declared. That was not much of
balance in their favor, to be sure, but it
was better than positive loss. At all
events, the Rubicon had been passed
that was something; and so, not quite
out of heart, they looked forward with
confidence to the good time coming"
They performed several times that
week, and gained by their labors great
applause, and three shillings.
The brothers were in despair and
thought seriously of going home to the
farm, and abandoning their musical pro-
Jet forever. They resolved, however,
10 try another week in the neighboling
owns. They did so, and were overjoyed
% find at its termination, that they had
,ained few dollars more than their ex-
,enses They continued for several
months to give concerts in the villages
f New Hampshire, gaining world of
pplause, but very little money more
han they were obliged to expend.
'heir sister Abby, then child of twelve
ears, joined them; but, though she
harmed every one that heard her, the
and had still for long time to strug-
lie with poverty, and to Withstand the
arnest advice of their parents to return
, the homestead. Itwas not long even
efore their gains were sufficient to justi-
: them in appearing before the public
| more costly attire than homespun.
C The party now ventured into. Yer
lont, in order to give the Green Noun
lineers taste Of their quality, but for
Inc did not greatly befriend them. The
Ills on the road were very heavy and
and in consequence of this
ID other causes, the excbcqucr began
assume an alarming small appearance.
his caused them not little uneasincss
1t troubles which seldom como alone,
w began to flow from another source
nd yet all had been unanimity between
e family band, but anxieties as to their
ture welfare engendcred little strife,
d family jars were not unfrequent. In
is critical state Of affairs, the influence