The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1856-11-27
THE L1LL1pur1AN MUSICIANS.

THE LMLRUTIAN MUSICIANS
The South Carolina Institutute Hall has
been constantly crowded to witness the as.
tonishing performances of five little negro
boys, belonging TO Col. j. Is. Richardson, a
wealthy Carolina planter, residing in Sum
ter District. AS soon rs it was known that
these boys would perform, and this liberal
gentleman had placed them in the liatds Of
the Directors Of the Institution for exlibi-
ton, and that without consideration, simply
with u view to the benefit OF the Institution,
and us an incentive to our shareholders to
follow up and develop another resource we
have at home, the crowd poured into the
Hall, and over five hundred tickets more
were sold the first night than upon the
first night of :ast years Fair.
Tie interest evinced by all who have
have heard these prodigies, has induced us
to present to our readers, this morning, a
short history Of the lads.
Robin, the eldest, and the leader of the
Band" is just l3 years old, and we should
Judge, Of pure African descent. a: very
early age, he exhibited his fon.lncss for
music, ly making co,n-stalk fiddles, peacl,
and switcl, bows, and flutes of the common
reed. His next step was the manufacture
of rude violin, using cypress shincle,
and horse hair strings the bass string was
piece Of waxed twine. At this time, "A
gentleman Of Charleston, friend of Col.
richardson, induced him to send Robin to
the city, to receive proper musical instruc-
ton. In four months he performed well
upon the violin, and understood his notes:
had been kindly taught also, 10y the gentle
man just alluded to, to read little. On
his return to his masters plantatation, he
took charge of another boy, Sanders, the
second OF the band, and gave him fiddle
! and bow, taught him the notes, and in one
month lie could play very well. Sanders
commenced learning the flute last sum.
| mer.
After teaching Sanders to to play upon
the violin, Robin took several other bows
under his instruction. but could not succeed
in teaching them. Edward and Henry were
next placed in his charge. Edward is nine
years and Henry eight. Their progress
WAS very slow, and they were accordingly
placed under the tuition Of an experienced
music master i'll the city; but, after a trial
OF two months, he gave them up, and said
nothing could he done with them. They
returned to Robin last February Edward
now plays well upon the violin, and Robin
taught him the guitar in one month
Henry also performs well upon the violin.
Robin taught him the notes.
March, the youngest Of the Band, is not
yet years old, and is now learning the
violin, but does not play. His performance
with the triangle is admirable.
Robin, the eldest and most prominent
character, took up the Cornct-a-p piston last
summer. lie is i'll every respect AL un-
common boy, possessing certain traits o!
character that are very remarkable. His
habits and disposition are those of the un-
eFi''scd African, and every action is in
| character.
Henry, we have just remarked, is about
eight years OF age. lie is half brother
OF Robin. No human being can control
him int his master, Col. Richardson.
Sanders is of u mild and gentle dispnsi-
ton, very submissive to his MASTER but
never succnml's TO one Of his own race
Sanders picked last December, when the
cotton, rs is well known to all planters, is
quite light, one hundred and fifty pounds IL
aty. I1c Is considered Il prime boy will
the hoe
Col. Richardson will receive, rs lie richly
deserves, not on v the thanks OF the Dircc-
tors of the Institute, for his IiLerulity in
placing this Liliputian Banl" at their dis
position, but that of the community at
large for thus developing another resource
OF great pleasure and usefulness, which the
South has SO long neglected, and for Which
they have often to pay heavily to ,,nde.
serving forcigncrs.-( Charleston Mcrcury.
------.-.>---
n LemorkuJle Man.-Our city contains
ut present one of the most remarkable men
that we have seen for long time. lie is
over lO+ years of age, and his mind does
not appear to be the least impaired, as he
convcrses i'rec y upon the different subjects,
more especially Of our revolution, in whicl,