The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1869-07-07
The Big Drum Of the Peace Jubilee.
The New York Evening Post fun
nishes the following:

The New YORK Evening 1OSt Aut
nishes the following:
Among the wonders Of the Peace Jn-
bilee at Boston, not the least remarka-
BILE is the huge drum which has been
especially for the occasion.
It is not claiming too much TO affirm
that it is the largest instrument of the
kind ever seen in the world. 1t has
been built in accordance with the la
test discoveries in the science of ac-
coustics and Yankee ingenuity has
been taxed, not in vain, as will be seen
to bring it the highest point of perfec-
ton. The great desideratum was to
provide an instrument which should act
as compliment or sort OF muscular
balance-wheel for the vast ocean or
forest of sound, or any other figure OF
sufficient amplitude, to convey the idea
of noise adequate or supplementary to
the gaeat chorus of three thousand
voices besides wind and other instru-
ments. To achieve this result, the
leading musicians, instrument makers,
philosophers and patrons and devotees
of art generally in Boston, we're called
into requisition. Among the persons
in consultation it is sufficient to mem
ton the names of Oliver Wendell
Holmes, Professor Elliott of Harvard,
Professor Gilmore, Bronson Alcott and
R. w. Emerson. After anxious DELHI
Grafton and careful! experiments there
suit is embodied in the huge drum,
which, as we have stated, will be the
wonders of the grand musical celebra-
ton of the age.
The machinery of the ponderous drum
sticks will be almost entirely concealed
from the audience. The derricks will he
furnished with platforms or seats, which
will accommodate one hundred and fifty
performers. The rest of the machinery
will be covered by American flags artist
calIy arranged. At first it was intended
to accommodate the entire orchestra upon
benches and platforms arranged on ter
nate tiers OF the front section of the drum.
But it was found that the many scaffnldings
required would interfere with the musical
notes of the drum. It was also apprehen-
ded that the tremendous conclusion Of
sound would jar the musicians, and proba-
bly, unseat them. This part of the pro-
gramme Wa, therefore, reluctantly left out
But the drum as it stands will be . mon-
ument worthy of Boston. 1t is SO large
that it is calculated 500 persons could he
comfortably dined in the interior. As for
the sound. it is expected that some of the
deeper notes will be heard at distance of
fifty miles. Indeed, bets have been offered
that with humid atmosphere and the
wind in the right direction, the drum will
be heard in New York at the top of
Trinity streple, on Mount Washington, or
on Brooklyn Heights, those places being
elevated above the din of the city. 1t was
contemplated in Boston at one time to
send request to the New York authori-
ties to suspend business, or at least trans
portation, in our city, for couple ofhours
in order to enable our population to partic-
ipate, as far as possible, in the Injuries oil
the Jubilee. But the transmission of the
sound depended upon so many contingent
cies of the weather, that the project was
finally abandoned.
As matters now stand, New Workers
who desire to hear the great drum must &c
to Boston, or at least to New Haven
Hartford or Providence, r.. I.
In order to avoid dangerous effects
from the suddsu bursting forth of 50 vast
a volume Of sound. notice will be given in
Boston half an hour in advance Of ths
playing of the drum. The city fire ant
church bells will sound general alarm al
n signal for delicate women. children, anG
persons of weak nerves generally, to pre-
pare for the occasion.
, We can only give an outline of this mu
steal monstrosity: 1t is one hundred fee
long, five hundred feet in diameter. and ha
an area of about two and half acres 0
? sheepskin on the sides. The sheepskins
/ to the number Of seventeen thousand, hav
. been delicately but firmly pasted togethe
according to newly discovered process b
9 clever Connecticut mechanic, which vii
: be patented. The drumsticks are as larg
as the masts of frst-class clipper ship
and will be operated by machinery, some
what as follows A sort of derrick or pc
+ destal has been erected on each side of tn
: huge drum, with machinery on the pivO
g principle for Their drumsticks to work in
The leverage of the latter will be light. sn
. the mechanical resistance has been reduce
+ to the lowest practicable point. Only tie
men with ropes will be required to wor
each drumstick. These men, If cours'
- will be accomplished musicians, and will b
;. under the control of director. who wi
II also be guided by Prof. Gilmore, the Gran
y Director.