Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-02-06

BLIND NEGRO Boy PIANIsr-Sinqular Eli,
feet Of Music.-There is a slave boy Tom.
owned in Savannah, whose marvellous musi
cal ability has excited the applause of journal
lists in that section. The Charleston Courier
says of him. Gle strikes the keys with all
the confidence of one largely gifted with the
musical faculty, who had devoted many years
to the cultivation of the talent. His manipu-
laton is most graceful, his touch is now eX-
quisitely delicate, and then all the strength of
his frail body is thrown into his hands, and he
strikes the instrument with imprisoned ear
nestness. In his execution he not only repro
duces the piece with perfect fidelity giving
every note its sound, but the style Of the per-
former is likewise exactly initiated. Several
of our most distinguished musicians performed
in Tom hearing long and complex operate
pieces and the Heaven taught boy reproduced
them without committing a single mistake.
He not only astonishes by the quickness with
which he acquires a piece, no matter now long
and difficult, but he imprOvises with readiness
and tluency. On the occasion Of which we
speak, Tom was directed by his master to play
an original piece, and lie complied with cheer
full readiness. He composed with all the ease
and confidence that mark the fluent orator in
the use of words. These original compost
tons increase the wonderful interest excited
by the performance Of this prodigy, and force
us to look upon him as one possessed of that
and strange gilt termed genius.
owe have alluded to the eXquisitely grace
full touch of this lad, bat what we have said
concerning his manipulation gives no idea of
his style and manner For he has a style of
his own which is seen when improvising, and
it is as brilliant as it is original and peculiar.
But it is his manner and countenance that
most profoundly impress. When not under
the influence OF sweet sounds, his voice is de-
void of life and expression. This is partly
owing to blindness, but in far greater measure
to imbecity. We see boy with decidedly
African type Of face--,ow retreating forehead
fiat spreading nose aud projecting upper lip
with every mark Of iliocy, we see this awk-
ward and stupid negro led to the piano stool.
He takes his seat, but the first touch on the
responsive keys shows us that his SOULS made
:or melody. He sweeps his hands over the
Keys with the air of a master, and then we be-
hold The inspiration manitesting itself in his
couhtenance and movements till interest
changes TO awe, and we are dumb with as.
.onlsnihent The melody penetrates his whole
Delhg An ecstatic influence flows from the
Keys lhlo his fingers, and rolls like tide
through ms veins, lighting up n fire in every
nerve us IL courses along. His head is thrown
back now II rests on one shoulder then on
the other ana again it falls upon his breast,
A light kindles ON the blank face and rs we
gaze, wondering, the fashion of Ills counte.
nance nan y changed 1t is absolutely beautiful.
ment, end when he is thoroughly sutI,sa3 ,, M
the inspiration of the melody The muscias ~, ~
his face twitch and his upper teeth are n, ess'
ed firmly upon his lower lip. A lceling @1
reverence steals over us as we behold this u1ys.
FERROUS and sudden transformation