Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-07-18
Fiddling PhilOSOphically COnsid.
cred.


fering all the tortures which can as
sail delicate nerves, while enduring
the effects of the animation impaired
to latent genius by Remenyi's recent
visit. Everywhere the wall of catgut
and horsehair, like the refrain of some
lost spirit, trembles on the lambert
air. Little boys, big boys and young
men, assiduously lieguile the feeting
hours in learning the rudiments."
preparatory to the grand career of
fame they confidently believe awaits
them soon as the first principles are
mastered.
It is a remarkable fact that the be-
ginner plays on the .fdde. It's pie
bian position does not affect Inn; he
is Obvious of the shafts which Ridi-
cu!e may level at linn or his beloved
instl umcnt; he is content to be known
as fiddler, and to fiddle we'll is the
goal of his ambition. He "plays'
such lively melodies as " Arkansaw
Traveller" and Fishers Hornpipe."
ll'l' if he perseveres, and the rough
points become gradually worn off the
sharp outlines of native genius, his
whole disposition seems TO undergo
q corresponding change. He be-
comes gradually aristocratic in his
notions. His instrument is trans
formed into n violin; he no longer
"plays," he PERFORMS and the
rollicking melody of the DEVILS
Dream" gives way to the sweet strains
of Maltha," or the bold, defiant
notes of " Norma" or ell Trouva-
tore His personal habits undergo
quite as radical reformation.
He no longer sits down to "play,"
or keeps time with his foot, or holds
the fiddle supported by his shoulder;
but he stands erect, with feet firmly
planted at right angles, the base
of the instrument held by the chin,
while with closed eyes he allows his
soul to wander forth in the realm
of melody. His coat, which when
FAILING was laid aside so as toenot
to interfere with q free exercise of
muscle, is now always worn, and is,
if possible, of finer texture and care
~fully brushed. Probably pin glis-
tens on cleaner shirt-front and
paste gem CLEANS from the hand
which manipulates the bow. His
wavy locks are more carefully oiled
and redolent of perfume. Indeed we
may discern in every distinguishing
trait evidence that genius has burst
its chrysalis bounds and is soaring
aloft on its butterfly pinions. At
this stage of development, the "per-
former" looks down with unaffected
contempt on mele fiddlers, while he
quietly ignores the fact that he has
risen from such lowly origin. Ask
him to "play tune" on his fiddle,
and he turns upon you q look of inef-
fable scorn; but signify preference
for Memories from Semiramis,
and his violin and himself are at once
at your service.
A fiddler is never sensitive about
tritles, violinist always so; q fid-
dler is always anxious to .fddle, a vio-
finest only performs as a concession,
q fiddler is never worth cent for
anything else under heaven, seldom
has q dime in his pocket, is a kind
of tolerated nuisance; while the
violinist, has all the lordly airs of q
millionaire, whether he has the
means at his command or not, or
\ even if he never pays cent for any
Athing.
AS it is q necessity, however, that
we patiently endure the crop of fid-
dlers, i'll order to possess an occa-
sional violinist, just as we tolerate
many other ills that coed may result;
so we must patiently bear with them
and the discord they infict upon
long suffering community. But
sometimes, when the ear-piercing
shrieks of the detestable fiddle is
waited on the breeze, we are tempt
ed to believe that the game, at
best, is not worth the candle, and
we would almost forego the pleasure
of listening to a Remonyi, wore it
possible to Danish Tho "Arkansaw
Traveller and oil hia kith and kin