The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-09-14
ORGANIC nISCnRns.

We are not about to write a treatise on
natural philosophy, astronomy, or medical
science, as to the eye of the learned reader
qQr caption to this article might import. We
simply wish to say few words of persuasion,
and utter few good-tempered growls upon
the subject Of the lamentable state of discord
into which the majority of those popular
instruments, 'yclept "hand-organs," and the
like, have fallen in our community.
We are not of those who look with stern
and indiscriminate disapproval upon all and
every one of these peripatetic purveyors of
emusic for the million" On the contrary, we
are not at all ashamed to confess that we have
been "moved even unto tears" by the notes
Of well-tuned and well-turned organ, beneath
ourwindow, on starlight winters night, play
ing some sweet, sad melody, whose burden of
words was sung in the silent chambers of our
own memory, as we listened; and we have as
often, yes, far oftener been reused to pleasant
smiles, by gazing on the happy faces Of chill
dren, as they clapped their little hands and
shouted, in the fullness of their glee, at the
evolutions of the puppets on the organs tiny
stage, or the antics of the knowing" monkey,
in uniform, who accompanied the instrument;
and on such occasions we have involuntarily
put our hand in our not always well-lined
pocket, and given the man a largess which
cOrresponded far more suitably with our feel
ings than with our purse.
But with all our charity and goodwill to
these itinerant musicians, and admiration for
their harmonies, we cannot strain our benevo-
IN 30 ly &c, 4b,s,
performance when their instruments are pain.
fully out of tune, and the notes of "Old Dog
Tray" more resemble the howls of the iden.
tical animal, if his tail were trodden on, than
pathetic lament for his untimely loss; while
the lonely weeping of the colored swain fol
his SHELLY" who "was lady," seems changed
into the discordant "boohOo" of a whipped
schoolboy; and we feel at such times (which
alas are all too frequent OF late) very mucl
in the mood Of DIR. HOLMES, on simila
occasion, Of which he gives a humorou
sketch, in verse, too long, unfortunately, t.
transcribe here. Like him when
+" The music all is ground.
And 81 encc, like pOultice, comes
To heal The blows Of sound"
being also "smallish man" We are incline
to "drop button in the hat"
There has long been an ordinance her
against "organ grinders" hurdy-gurdy boyt
et ID onne genus, which ranks them a
vagrants, and Furnishes them with imprisou
ment as such; but we rather rejoice that thi
is but seldom if ever, enforced. We woul
advocate, however, an ordinance which shoul
order Sentence of banishment and confscg
tion of property" wiz: organ, etc., again;
every street musician who should be found /
fagrdnte delictu, as yiolator Of the laws
harmony by torturng the ears of humanit
with the discord of an instrument out Of TC
ir, and we think such an ordinance, rigidl
enforced would tend greatly to promote tn
public eace, and create spirit ofhlrmony
in the OF CANS Of tie country, viz I'll
Pless; and any editor who has endured I'll
peLance of such a performance in front
his sanctum, viii agree with us, we are col
fident, and at such a time as the presen
when the feelings of men are in state Of III
usual excitement upon questions OF nation
welfare, there seems to be a special need
soothing influences Give us, then, oh J
wandering minstrels, instead OF the "hars
dissonance of ill-tutored reeds" that veritab
music "which hath charms TO soothe Il
savaop breast -