The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1866-09-27
scoTcHMEN AND scoTcHMUsic.

A gentleman who was n first rate per
former Of Scotch music on the violin,
spent . winter at Exeter, and Of course
soon became acquainted with the musical
diletanti of that place Dining one day
with . professor, the conversation turn
ed upon Scotch music, and a strong ar
gument arose as to its bearing compe-
tition with foreign music; the Scotchman,
whom we shall for the present designate
the Fiddler, insisted that, when properly
played, nothing could excel it; the pro-
fessor on the other hand, insisting that
it was only fit for the barn yard
'.I'll tell you what" says the Fiddler,
''Tll lay a wager of Is that if party of
Scotchmen can be got together, I'll make
them shed tears one minute, sing the
next, and dance the third
"Done," said the professor, "and if
your music is capable of that, will not
only pay you the is with pleasure. but
viii be convinced that it is the most en-
livening, pathetic, and best music in the
world"
The difficulty i.rose as to getting an
opportunity for trial. But this was
soon obviated by third party informing
them that number of young Scotchmen
dined annually at the old.London Hotel,
on the anniversary of Burns birthday.
This was a capital opportunity for the
Fiddler, for these young men, being
principally rawboned, overgrown Scotch
lads, who had recently left their own
country to carry tea in the neighborhood,
were the very ones upon whom he was
sure to make hit.
All being arranged, and the utmost
secrecy being agreed upon, the eventful
day was anxiously looked for At length
it came, and the Fiddler and Professor,
by an introduction to one of the party,
got an invitation to the dinner. There
were twelve altogether sat down; and a
right merry party they soon became; for
the whisky toddy was not spared when
the memory of any of Scotia's bards
was toasted. The Fiddler was not long
in perceiving that he had got among a
right musical set, and he waited patient
ly until they were fit for any thing. At
length he gave a wink to the Professor,
who at once proposed that his friend
should favor them with Scotch tune
on the violin.
Capital, capital-' cried the whole
party.
The violin was brought and all were
in breathless anxiety. The Fiddler chose
for his first tune, Here's health to
them that's AVA and played it in the
most solemn and pathetic manner.
.That's a woefu' tune,'' said 8 great,
big, rawboned youth to his next neigh
Dor.
..It is that, Sandy There's meikle in
that tune, man. 1t reminds me o ane
thas game, JAMIE at the same time
giving a deep sigh, and drawing his hand
over his long, gaunt face to hide the
tears that were trucking down his cheeks
The Fiddler with his keen eye soon
perceived that before he got through
with the second part of the tune he would
have them all in the same mood. He
therefore threw his whole soul into the
instrument, and played the tune as he
had never done before; and as the last
four bars of the tune died away like a
distant echo, there was not a dry check
amongst the company. Now is the time,
oh fha wifi ctr
ing moment, struck up in a bold and
vigorous style, willie Brew'd a Peck O.
Maui. Out went the handkerchiefs, and
away went the tears.
"Chorusr' cried the Fiddler; and in an
instant all struck up:
"For we nae fou' were nae that fou'
But just drsppe in our e'e;
The cock may craw the day may daw,
But aye II taste the barley bree."
The song was ended, but up struck the
Fiddler in his best style, the reel, ''Jenny
Dang the Weaver"
'sHey, we devils!' cried Sandy.
Scotland forever cried Jamie; and
in an instant, tables, chairs and glasses
were scattered in all directions, and the
whole party dancing and jumping like
madmen.
Out ran the affrighted Professor, (for
he did not know what might come next,
up came the landlady with her terrified
train of inmates. But none dare enter
the room, the hurrahs and thumps on the
floor being so boisterous; and it was only
upon the entry of a Scotch traveller, who
had just arrived, and who cried to the
Fiddler for any sake to stop, that order
was restored
1t is needless to say that the Professor
paid his bet cheerfully, and was fully
convinced of the effect of Scotch music
when properly played and that the land
lady took care that the Fiddler never
came into her house again on Burns an
niyersary dinner