Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1860-02-28
The Blind Negro Poy Pianst-llis Remarkable
Power Singular Effect of his Music upon Himself.

We have before alluded to the remarkable
musical talent OF the blind slave boy Tom, the
property ef stakeholder ~ Savannah The
report OF this o.,y's wonderful p"wers Is thus
nhrmed by - Charleston CoErisr, Of Jacua-
~ tn. The editor says:
"He strikes the keys with all The confidence
Of one largely gifted with the mtsIcal faculty.
who had devoted many years to the cultivation
OF the talent HIS manipulation is most grace
7 fnl, his touch Is ROW eKqUlSIlcly delicate. and
then all the strength of hIs fail 10 iy Is thrown
1. 10 his hands. and he strikes the Instrument
vi Ia impaSsoued earuestncss. In his eNecu-
t."n he MT only re-produces the piece With
perfect fidelity, giving every note Its sour nut
tie style OF The perfTmer Is likewise exactly
inflated Several of our most disiinsaiehs :.
musicians performed in Toms hearing long and
complex opcraiic pieces. and the Heaven Taught
boy re- prudUced them without committing =
sIngle mistake.
I'VE might conclude that this b,y's talen:
consisted Ia remarkable Development cf the
faculties of memory and Imitation. dad he c"u-
me himself to those compositions he learns hy
But he not only a-IuuIshes by the quick
ness with Which he ac. ,uIrcs piece. no matter
how long difficult. but be Improvsses *'th
readiness and tluency. On the occasion OF vhici.
we speak. Tom was directed 10y his master TO
play and original piece, and he complied with
cheerful readiness He composed with al the
and confidence that mark the fluent orator
ia the use of words.
These original compositions increase the
wondering Interest excited by the performance
OF this prodigy. and force us io look upon HIM
A. one possessed of that rare and strange g'N
termed genius.
Ne have alluded To the exquisitely graceful
touch OF this lad. but what We have sid con-
cerning his manipulation gives no idea OF his
style and manner. For he has a style Of IL"
own vi ch Is seen when ImproyIsinC. aid II $
> brilliant - l. original and peculiar Hut
II II his manner aud cnuuteuance that most pro-
fuundly impress. When not under the ...nt1u-
ency of sweet sounds his face Il devoid OF i!te
and expression. Tins Is partly oWi"g 10 blind
ness but IN n lar greater measure 10 enbccllIiy.
E see a boy with dec.dedly African type of
face-low. retreatiugiforeLead, fiat, spreading
nose and projecting upper lip. with every mark
of idI"cy, we see tins awk ward aud stupid ne
gro led 10 the piano stool. He takes his seat.
but the first touch on the responsive keys shows
rs that hIs s"ul - made for melody lie sweeps
his hands over the KEYS with the air of mas
ter. and then behuid the inspiration mani
testing itself IN his counteuance and movements
tiil interest changes to awe, aud We are dumb
with a-tonIShmeut. The melody penetrates his
" hole being And estate influence flows from
tLe keys INTO his fingers, and rolls like a tide
through has veins, lighting up fire IN every
nerve iS II cuurce- along. His head Is thrown
back: now IT rests on one shoulder, then on the
other. and again 1t falls upon his breast. light
kindles on the hIauk face. aud We gaze.
wunierIng the fashion nf bis couu'eHance seems
changed. 1t L. absolutely beautiful The dI-
vine ravIshmeut increases every iNoi"Tnt, n d
when he Is thoroughly suffU-ed with the inspI
w itch, and his uprer .eeth are pressed firmly
uppn his lower lip. 4 feeling of reverence
steals over us As We behold this Mysterious and
sudden transfornatIon.'