Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1865-03-22
. ASA HARTZ ON MUSIC.

ASA HARTZ ON MUSIC.
JAeun O'D1MuaTz.-Ay Dear Bo,oer: Next
to my upaccountable penchant for the sweet.
young patriot. Of brow-bathing. propensity, is
my inordinate love of music, Music. my bow
er, enohants me- I feed upon i'll drink it
sleep under its soothing influence wake IN
the early morn to concert Of sweet sounds,
and die away at dewy eve with soft diapason
stealing gently Ger my wrapt senses; and when
grim Death asks me to hand in my checks, l
expect to be carried into eternity with seraphic
melody floating through my soul. Music, my
bower, is an Institution three parts heavenly
and the balance correspondingly sweet.
like it.
I have just left the sweet and sacred preonts
of about thirteen yards Of moline antique, In
which is built young female patriot Of the Con-
federate persuasion. She manipulated the piano
keys, ny bower, and wish to be very particu-
lar in saying that she fingered more music out
of it than any young creature ever did, any
where between the Potomac and the East line
of the Mississippi Department. 1t was a
grand piece, my bower, and must have .esn
military piece; but whether composed by Mey-
erbeer, lager beer or any other man, the COM
pletely relaxed condition Of my nerves will not
permit me to say just now.
It began with violent assault upon the left
wing Of the line of keys. which was evidently
intended as a feint by the lovely assailant; for
heavy skirmish Immediately followed on the
extreme right, with apparently satisfactory re-
suits. Ending the advantage thus gained some
what decided, she repeated the same piece of
strategy, and Immediately thereafter threw in
some heavy ticks in the centre. The effect was
electrical, ny bower, and knew, at once no in
strument could stand an assault 80 persistent if
muchey pretracted. Flushed with success, she
opened upon the entire line at once with con-
centrated vim that would have appalled, Chicke--
ring himself ending the engagement with a
half dozen vindictive volleys on the left, with
as many on the right.
1t vas a complete victory, my bower, and
she seemed happy when it was over, know l
was
The piano is good thing, Jacque, whether
classcd as an article Of furniture or an instru-
ment of music. It is most pleasant relieve
from constant exercise, either upon the wash
tub or Singers sewing machine; but it dosen't
come up to the hand organ or hurdy-girdy. l
saw a most vinimous looking chap with mon
key, last February, playing upon the latter,
and wSs astonished at the ease with which he
coxed the sweet sounds from the square box
Don't know if the monkey really had anything
to do with it, but it is pleasant feeling to
think that he did. A beautiful piece from a
Nopera called Norma was executed with much
satisfaction, without notes, and apparently with
out labor; and when I recollect that my sweet
young female patriot has tried for the last eight
months, unsuccessfully, to produce it from the
niano I au, fnrcad ta tho that tho
hand organ and monkey are infinitely superior
to the piano. The hand organ and monkey,
when skillfully played, beat any other instrument
1 have ever seen. Think shall try to learn it.
Il AS before stated, my lower, music is a good
thing, and love it.. I think it likely that mel
ody is an institution of very ancient origin-in-
vented, probably, several weeks before Adam
went into the fruit trade and got busted. By
the way don't you reckon the music of Ewes
gentle voice lured him into the fruit spec ulation
do, and always think Of music when I see a
sweet and amiablc apple woman selling her fruit
at dollar and quarter piprin. -
There is music in the storm when it sweeps
twixt earth and sky there is music in the can
mons roar when foeman meet, and music IN tho
pretty foot that patters on the street.
There is music in the ringing laugh that scapes
breeze that whispers to the ship, there is music
in the bounding wave that rolls along the shore,
and music where tn angelic host are singing
evermore.
There is music where the little birds are warb-
ling forth their praise, and where the myrial in
sect choir chirp their matin lays; there's music
in the sea aud sky, and in the earth and air
By George? my bower, Ito cut short,) there's
music everywhere.
The last three paragraphs, my bower, have
exhausted me, and hear the soft musical voice
Of the sweet young female patriot Of the Confed-
eracy. who is coming to bathe my classic brow
1 shall therefore close this. But intend to
take music on the hand organ and monkey.
Remember me lovingly to your favori'e washer
woman.
Yours, in concord of sweet sounds.
ASA HARTZ,
200 Hospital, Richmond, Jan. 18th, 1865.