Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1854-01-28

ery upon that most awful of truths, the mysterious
transitmoment of the soul from time into eternity
symbolized by the river Jordan. The author ~
perhaps intended no notwithstanding but igno-
rance of the sacredness of the subject could be an
apology. With what effect comes from the lips Of
either lady or gentleman such dainty poetry as the
following
" And what do you 'spose ole suke had for sup
| per?
Chickcn.foot, possum-fat, hominy and butter"
We say nothing of the creative merit of the
production, that is quenched in its sublimity.
The late Signor De Begnis was highly incensed
because n lady once inquired of him whether he
could play on the accordion the offence would
have been heightened one hundred-iOld had she
requested him, or any other regular musician, to
sing negro-song. Why they arc called negro
songs is q matter Of marvel: the term is libel on
the whole coored race, who ought to rise en- mdsse
to defend their respectability. No one at all ac-
quaintcd with the unique and oftimcs real poetry
Of genuine negro nature with its pathos, humor,
ambition, md when properly instructed, feryid
| picty-coud for ono moment, suppose the dog
gercs attached to these melodies to be correct de-
| lineatons Of negro character. On the contrary,
the well.brcd negro is fond Of high-sound lang
uage, indulging in it to no small degree, and in
sooth, right sorry would he be to mar his English
| by such ungranimatical iargon; for, inevitably
ruin it will the pronunciation of the best gram
marian who familiarzcs himself with it.
| AS q musician from earliest liliancy ana daug1-
ter also Of musician of welknown standing,
and one who is profoundly interested in whatever
touches the advancement or deterioration Of music,
the writer would professionally counsel that with
the taking up Of the first black song be ut once
abandoned all idea OF true musc for n stop is
hereby put to further improvement. No musician
who has a duo yencTatiOn for his art-or, indeed,
for good manners-coud voluntarily introduce one
/ Of them to pupil
/ 1t is idle to advance, in cxteuuation of this
ncgro-mann, the plea Of popularity. Popularity
is not the only gage of merit or genius. Hundreds
of the finest gems in music and literature have re-
mnincd unknown through the force of uncontrol-
able ircumstances-chioAy the inability of the
million toappreciuc their peculiar Beauties for ap-
probation Of an author argues twin-shp of soul on
the part Of the admrcr; whilst productions entire
~ destitute of any claim TO favour, have surprised
| US by their lucky fortune. ChaH is blown about
and scattered by very slight breath of wind, but
the wheat remains quiesccnt until lifted. Ask the
fashionable publisher which has been to his Golfers
the more valuable, "Cdstd Dira," or Madomoiselle
",SUSdnnd !" and he will smile Mt your simplicity,
whether Ncukom's ''NidHigM Rericc," or Signor
Dan TUcker" and if his poteness suffer him
not to laugh you to scorn, be will, at least, deem
you slightly insane. Had Milton, instead of en-
richng forever the world with the glorious works
whose inspired voices have rolled on, and shall
continue to roll on in magnificent cadcnces, sono-
rously swelling above the Babel tumults of success.
talents for the temporary amusement and corrup-
ton Of his race, needed he to have lived and died
in penury? But he chose, moro wisely, fame oter-
nal and now when the memories of the wicked
are gibbeted in shame, he sis walking up and down
in his shining robes and with q laurel round his
head, in the cities of many lands; having his home
and his welcome in every devout heart, and upon
every learned tongue Of the Christian world"
The era Of affectingly sentimental pastorals
with neycr-failng accessories Of lovclorn shepherd
with crook and pipe, and the succeeding one of
anaercontic ballads suggestive of ruby-tnted noses
and sparkling bumpers, have passed away, unre-
grettcd-in our day of superior science-save for
that, TO the harmless Stiffness of the one and the
rather dubious morality Of the other, is superadded
in the negro songs, bufoonery and profanity that
force the former ditties to bury their diminished
heads in the remotost corner Of the lumber.room.
There arises more serious question: Why is it
that, within two or three years, few concerts by
either resident foreign musicians with the
exception Of few heralded stars,) are successful?
Why is it that three out Of four perhaps fall ruin
ously short Of remuneration to the artists engaged
in them, and we have in our midst many superb
musicians? And why have fallen into disuso those
noble works Of the great mastcrs-works which
tend to ennOblc the taste in every phase, and TO
eXalt the mind-oratoros? The reason is obvious
The public taste has become yitiatcd and the few
competent to judge and guide, retire from contest
with the mixed multitude. This state of things is
very discouragng and might well make us sigh
for the days of the old ccnsors of Greece
Upon critique Of the melodies of these poetic
eusions, it is not necessary to enter eight out of
ten Of them are utterly beneath criticism and the
residue, with the exception of few very sweet
airs in the first place worthy Of better Communion
ship. are scraps Of favouritc opera, anatomies of
obscure melodies newly dressed and strains A(ri-
canesque, caught from the memories of tradition
preserving slaves. These few latter pass off among
them the meagre ones after the manner in which
Coleridges cunning man passed off his light guin-
ea-bctwen two halfpcnnies. The melodies how
ever, are but DISCUSSES; the words are the grand
charm Of these gems, for could ever music convey
the profane iestngs with the most sacred subjects
of life and death, the uncouth phrases the coarse
~cquiyoques, the absurd patos, and the nnumer-
able mods, and becks, and wreathcd smiles"
which garnish the phraseology, and impart expres-
sion to the yisages and gestures Of the votares of
this species of amusemcntl
! lt may be thought that too much stress is laid
on this subject, that it is unworthy of so much
notice; but nothing having any bearing upon the
mind Is trivial. For as a vast meadow is compos-
ed of individual blades of glass so is life made mn
of nfnitesimas, and one light action NAV be our
ruin forever. The latest movement, the introduc-
| ton of negro melodies into church psalmody. is
the crowning point and the partisan Of "mins-
trelsy' may soon have the pleasant surprise of
joining in an address to the Deity, or n funeral
! hymn, to the tune Of, maybe, "0ld Jaw BoneU
suiting the pdtois to the original words
The mind does, indeed, require relaxation from
the grayer pursuits of life; but does not the whole
universe Of nature, art, science, afford sufficient
scope for the pleasure and qualification of Young
and old, simple and lcamedl We should strive to
raise the intellect not to debase it, aud as the
hours of repose and amusement are the most mo.
mentous in their consequences it is then that
should be earnestly invoked the gracious assistance
OF our guardian angel. One hour of pernicious
or frivolous amusement may nentralzo and destroy
the fruits of whole day, month year, of serious
and profitable study. Our pleasures should have
a refining tendency, and the. seasons of most
thoughtless gayety be those in which the sonl
shall smooth her rufled plumage for nober fight
thns seeking to initiate the lark, who in her ioyous
carol, scars and
AT heavens gate sngsw
A HALE OLD TnEE.-Capt. Solomon Marsh. of
LttchelJ. has on his premises an apple tree which
mcasmras II feet rnund tLn tranL III ..:.II.I