Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-12-04
THE LILLIPUTIAN MUSICIANS.

Ihe South CarOllna lnSLlIue lall nus Deeu
constantly crowded to witness the astonishing
performances of five little negro boys, be-
longing to j. B. Richardson, wealthy
Carolina planter, residing in Sumter District.
As soon as it was known that these boys
would perform, and this liberal gentleman
had placed them in the hands of the Direc-
tors of the Institution for exhibition, and
that without consideration, simply with a
view to the benefit of the Institution, and
as 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 then
upon the first night of last years Fair.
The interest evinced by all who have heard
these prodgies, has induced US to present to
our readers, this morning, short history OF
the lads.
Robin, the eldest, and the leader of the
Band is just 13 years old, and we should
Judge, of pure African descent. At 4 very
early age, he exhibited his fondness for mu-
sic, by making corn-stalk fddlcs, peach and
switch bows, and flutes of the common reed.
His next step was the manufacture of "a rude
violin, using a cypress shingle, and horse
hair strings; the bass-string was piece of
waxed twine At this time, a gentleman of
Charleston, friend of COL Richardson, in
duced him to send Robin to the city, to re-
ceivc proper musical instructions. In four
months he performed we'll upon the violin,
and understood his notes; had been kindly
taught also; by the gentleman inst alluded to,
to read little. On his return to his mas
ter's plantation, 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 he could play very
we'll. Sanders commenced learning the flute
last summer
After teaching Sanders to play upon the
violin, Robin took several other boys under
his instruction, but could not succeed in
teaching them. Edward and Henry were
next placed in his charge. Edward is nine
years old and Henry eight. Their progress
was very slow, and they were accordingly
placed under the tuition of an experienced
music master in the city; but, after trial
of two months, he gave them up, and said
that nothing could be done with them. They
returned to Robin last February. Edward
now plays we'll upon the violin, and Robin
taught him the guitar in QUE month.
Henry also performs we'll upon the violin.
Robin taught him the notes
March, the youngest of the Band, is not
yet 8 years old, and is now learning the vio-
lin, but does not play. His performance
with the triangle is admirable.
Robin, the eldest and most prominent
character, took up the Cornet-a-piston last
summer. He is in every respect an uncom-
mon boy, possessing certain traits of charac-
ter that are very remarkable. His habits
and disposition are those Of the uncivilized
African, and every action is in character.
Henry, we have just remarked, is about
eight years of age. He is half brother OF
Robin. No human being can control him
but his master, Col. Richardson.
Sanders is of mild and gentle disposition
very submissive to his master, but never sue
combs to one of his own rce. Sanders
picked last December, when the Cotton, as
is we'll known to all planters, is quite light,
49,. L,,lrod ond fiftv mounds 1ov He is
considered prime boy with the hoe.
Col. Richardson will receive, as he richly
deserves, not only the thanks of the Diree'
tors of the Institute, for his liberality in
placing this 'Lilliputian Band 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 undeserVing foreign
ers.- Charleston Mercury.