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 q bench beneath
large elm that grows in the centre of
the African village or Quarter. Here,
at the soundof 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
banio, and teaches their juvenile voices
HE classic airs of Mondango and
GAinea; hereditary tunes, that have
heeM brought from Africa, and which
IS now spread over the land to such
words as Julian Johnson, don't you
"Old Dan Tucker '.Long Time
40" etc.
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 Mssises and Massa colonel;
old George take de liberty to 'vite you to
come to de dance out door by the OF elm,
Massa hab Civ me new fiddle, and l take
pleasure to Civ de white folks a 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 We're guided to
the tree by the bright light shed from half
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
all plantation customs. | have told you
that the negro village of the estate is pic
turesquely disposed on the boarders of
pretty mere, a few hundred yards from the
house. We crossed the water, by wick
cr bridge, and had most Of the dwellings
Of the slaves in full view, occupying two
streets and three sides of square. The
lights of pine-wood flung a red and wild
glare upon their fronts, and upon the lake
and upon d group of more than a 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, in
order to enjoy as much of what was going
on as they could.
We already found the dignifed George
seated upon his bench, fiddle in hand On
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
Behind George was toothless negress,
having before her a section of hollow
tree, sha ped like a drum, with dried deer
skin, draw tightly over it; in her shining
fist she grasped sort of mallet. Chairs,
assiduously provided were placed for us,
and the buzzing of pleasure, occasoned
by the numerous company of Hams pos
rerity, having subsided, at a majestic
wave of Georges fiddle bow, the concert
began The first tune was a solo, and
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 to
him. Certainly the negroes have striking
native airs, characterized by delightful
surprises and touching simplicity. The
chief peculiarity is Cheerlu1ness.
George having first played soft strain,
the banjo struck in a second; then came
the hollow sticks, like castanets, but five
times as large, hollow, and more musical:
and lastly, the old negress thumped in a
bese on her hollow drum. The perfect
time, the sweet harmony, the noveIly Of
the strange sounds, the singular combin-
alton enchanted me. ! must confess, that
never heard true music before; but then
! should acknowledge | have not heard
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 pleasurable
surprise, if they should play as / heard
them play, by Wulnut street audience.
Real African CONCERT singers are not how
Rim fashion. While men BACKED are
only CONNIE IL faut. Is it n'k odd that a
city audience will listen to limitation ne
groes, and yet despisc concerto compos-
ed of the simon Pures? After George
had played several pieces, one Of which
was lucy Long" as had never
heard it before, and had received our pra IS
e., he said, always speaking with the dig