The Carrollton sun. (City of Carrollton, Parish of Jefferson, La.) 185?-1???, 1860-09-05

and is the Orpheus and ''Ole Bull' of
the plantation. 1t has been his custom
of evenings, after the days work is
over, to seat himself on a bench beneath
large elm that grows in the centre of
the African village or Quarter. Here,
at the soundsof his fiddle, would gather
the whole ebon population to dance. At
spch times he gives regular lessons to
he young negroes in dancing to the
6anjo, and teaches their juvenile voices
NE classic airs of Mondango and
Gainea; hereditary tunes, that have
Aeen brought from Africa, and which
I'd now spread over the land to such
words as Julian johnson, don't you
"Old Dan Tucker" ''Long Time
We had just risen from the tea-table,
last evening when old George made his
appearance at the steps of the gallery,
and, barring his bald head, he bowed
with politeness of Lord Chesterfield
would have envied, and made us his
speech:
"Young Missises and Massa colonel ;
old George take de liberty to wife you to
come to de dance out door by the OF elm,
Massa hab Civ me new fiddle, and take
pleasure to Civ de white folks concert,
and show de young ladies how my schol-
ars dance"
We accepted Georges polite invita-
ton, and as the moon was full we went
over to the village. We were guided to
the tree by the bright light shed from hall
a dozen pine torches, help in the hands OF
as many Africans animated statues, whom
George had conspicuously stationed to
throw light upon the scene.
As approached the spot, was struck
with its novelty, for | have not yet been
long enough here to become familiar with
ali plantation customs. | have told you
that the negro village of the estate is pic
turesquely disposed on the boarders of a
pretty mere, a few hundred yards from the
house. We crossed the water, by wick
err bridge, and had most of the dwellings
of the slaves in full view, occupying two
Streets and three sides of a square. The
lights of pine wood flung a red and wild
glare upon their fronts, and upon the lake
and upon IL group Of more than hundred
Africans of both sexes,-Who we're assem-
bied about the tree. 1t revealed, also, here
and there an old man or woman, helpless
through age, seated in their hut-doors,' ii
order to enjoy as much of what was going
on as they could.
We already found the dignified George
seated upon his bench, fiddle in hand. Or
his right stood short, fat negro, holding
banjo, on his left was another slave
with eyes like the bottoms of China cups
holding two hollow sticks in his hands
p.L frnNyra fHH{hlaSS
having before her a section of a hollow
tree, shaped like drum, with dried deer,
skin, drawn tightly over it; in her shining
fist she grasped sort of mallet. Chairs
assiduously provided were placed for us
and the buzzing of pleasure, occasionec
by the numerous company of Hams pos
terity, having subsidized, at "a majestic
wave of Georges fiddle bow, the concert
began The first tune was solo, anC
new to me, and so beautiful and simple
that made old George play it for me to-
day in the house, and copied the music as
he did so. He says his father taught it tc
him. Certainly the negroes have striking
native airs, characterized by delightful
surprises and touching simplicity. Ih1
chief regularity is Cheerlulness.
George having first played soft strain
the banjo struck in a second then came
the hollow sticks, like castanets, but five
tiLlasas large, hollow, and more musical
and, lastly, the dig negress thumped in :
bese on her hollow drum. The per'ec'
time, the sweet harmony, the noVejly 0
the strange sounds, the singular combin-
alton enchanted me. must confess, tina
never heard true music before; but ther
] should acknowledge have not hearc
any operate music in an Opera-house.-
But do not smile if say that | believe
George and his three aiders and abettors
would be listened to with pleasnrable
surprise, if they should pay as | nearc
them play, by a Wulnut street audience
Real African CONCERT singers are not how
ever,-in fashion. Whire men BACKED are
only CONNIE IL EaWt. Is It nCt odd that e
city audience will listen to lm1tati02r ne
groes, and yet despisc concerto compos-
ed of the simon Pures? After George
had played several pieces, one of. whicf
was Lucy Long" as! had never
heard it before, and had received our prats
1, (,