Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1856-09-18

The CALLIoPE.-Our readers have probably
heard OF the wonderful steam-whistle music
which has so astOnished the natives between
New York and Albany. on the romantic Hud.
son, and Of its wonderful effects upon the quiet
denizens Of that beautiful region. But they
are most likely not aware Of the possibility Of
our being able soon to judge from actual in
spection Of its singular qualities. Such, how
ever, we believe is the fact and, therefore, we
proceed to give an idea of the "sritter."
The CALLIoPE is an instrument for producing
music by aid Of steam It is composed OF
twenty-eight whistles, varying in size so as to
produce the necessary nodulations TO form a
musical scale of say from two to four octaves
These whistles are similar to those used upon
oar steamboats, and locomotives, and are fed
from the same escape. The instrument is in
tended to be placed on the top Of the boiler, and
the steam elected through pipe into a sort Of
oblong reservoir from which il escapes through
the whistle, or note intended TO be sounded.
These notes or whistles are operated upon by
keys like those of an organ, which. opening a
valve, allows the steam TO rush out and produce
the required sound. From what we can nm
derstsnd the instrument is very simple and not
likely to get out Of order. On the end Of the
receiver opposite the key board is cylinder
similar to the barrel Of an organ that is turned
with crank, producing the same effect as
though played by the keys so that il the en-
gineer is not musical, he can still delight the
neighborbood for twenty miles around with
all the popular airs Of the day, by getting the
'stoker to turn the crank at the stopping places.
The following we clip from an eastern ex-
change:
THE first time we heard this singulsrly en-
chanting music, il seemed to vibrste upon q
hitherto unknown nerve OF our musical sucepti.
bility. It is the most charmingly sweet music
that we ever heard in this country: and, like
the chimes of Ferara its sounds are romantic
ally enchanting. One Of the first days that
this strangely fascinating music was heard we
chanced-in visiting the city from the country
to land at the east end Of the Battery, and
ourself with all the passengers were charmed
to admiration by the beautiful music which
we thought was being played on the Battery by
some foreign band of musicians, probably, we
thought, from one Of the foreign vessels then in
port; but as we followed the crowd OF passen-
gers, and the running train Of juveniles, in d.
rection OF the sweet sounds, they seemed TO re-
cede, but were still very distinct and il was
not until we had arrived at the upper end Of
the Battery that we learned the music proceed
ed from the Calliope on the steamer Union,
which was sailing up the bav.
There is much to be hoped from this device,
and we are proud that the intention is really
American. Only think Of an instrument dis
coursing sweeter music than full band, and
to be heard distinctly for ten miles Why, all
that will be necessary 10 winter viii be to en-
gage one steamer to lie off on our bay, and play
for the balls at all the hotels in Broadway; for
it surpasses, in music for marching and waltz
ing as well as for quadrilles."
We understand that II proper arrangements
can be made with our Railroad companies, il is
the intention Of parties in this city to try and
induce the inventor. ]. G. SroDDARp 10 visit our
city during the State Fair week. This we
think good move. calculated TO increase the
inducements to strangers coming here, ard TO
add generally to the interest Of the occasion.
We trust favorable arrangements viii be made
by which we shall have the pleasure Of hearing
the classic strains Of "0ld Dan. Tucker" and
I" Pop goes the Weasel" played on an instru-
mept that can be heard for ten miles.