Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1870-07-12
MIsoELLANEOUS.
The Harp and Piano.

The rudest form of the Harp, as it existed
before the time of Moses, was but the dim
prophecy of the magnificent Piano Forte of to-
day. The history of this instrument is full of
motto Interest and is associated with the
elegant arts, the devotional exercises, and pop
ular amusements of many nations and coun>
tries Its authentic history covers a period
gilmore than 1000 years. The instrument
is pictured on the tombs of Egyptian kings,
among the mountains at the west Of Thebes
it is often mentioned rendering the orphic
chants of the Hebrew poets and musicians
The gallant knights of Europe, for two CEN
tdries, went a wooing under its inspiration;
and the romance and minstrelsy of the Trou.
badours of southern France and northern Italy
are inseparable from the history of the Harp.
And now among all the musical instruments
and cherished objects to be found in the
homes of. the most enlightened nations, the
Harp-iu the superior form ofthe best PIANO
is of all others the one that ministers most
essentially to the happiness of our social life.
The ear and the judgement are often sim
gularly influenced by our personal preferences,
or previous conviction. People who are not
ordinarily prone to profanity yet swear by
Henry Ward Beecher, and accept him as the
universal oracle, to be believed in and quoted
alike by Christians and Infdels. The news
papers all print the grotesque sayings of Mark
Twain as the quiutessential extract of real wit
People who love to run in q groove, praised
Steinway and Chickeriug, until those gentle
men came to be regarded as the only worthy
representatives Of all the excellence to be
found in stringed instumets such as they
manufacture. Indeed it was some time since
taken for Granted that all the Gold Medals
and Premiums including the Legion of Honor,
aud the stereotyped testimonials Of legion Of
Interested witnesses, must, as u matter OF
course, be awarded to those parties, who cer~
tainly have assisted toward perfcctiGg the
most valuable musical Instrument in the world.
The propriotors of the AEIoN PIANO
FORTE, comprehending this chronic habtSof
maanhind. and believing that their Pianos
were really superior to all others, suggested
the fairest possible method of testing the
relative merits of the several instruments ex-
hibited in competition by the different makers.
This trial occurred Immediately after the Faris
Exposition. in presence of the officers of the
American Institute. The instruments of
different manufacturers, including CHECKER
ing's, Steinway's, the AEIoN and others. were
all covered Except the keys.) so that the eye
could not distinguish one from another; thus
leaving no opportunity for the expression of
q biased Judgment. After q fair trial of all
L
judges-distingushed and eminent musicians
-concurred in tho selection of one instru~
mont as superior to the others, which, on the
removal Of the covering, proved to be the
ARION. With view Of rendering this trial
the more decisive the players and judges then
retired from the room. In their. absence The
Pianos were again covered, and their positions
changed The reader is left to imagine the
surprise and modification of the chief COM
pctitorS when the second trial cn8cl IN The
selection Qfthe SuIle iUSfyWmtm
There is little occasion for further comment
It is well known that excellent opinions may
be obtained for EJeruL commission on the
sales that such opinions may be instrumental
in accomplishing. But in this case there was
neither private interest nor personal prejudice
to influences the judgment. No farer test
could have been devised and the result of
this memorable trial certainly confers upon
the proprictors of the PATENT ARION PIANO
a distinction of far greater practical i'm
portance than the Legion Of Honor.-Fi.on1
Brittan's " CHy f Comny," N'erarh, N j.