Morning journal and courier., 1880-10-16
A Banjo Boom.
The Popularity of the Instruments In-
 creasing.

creasing.
 From the New York Sum-
 "Banjos are booming now" said Mr. Hen ry c. Dobson, the famous banjoist of New York the other day." They are all the rage People used to talk and think of the banjo as an instrument appropriate only for ne- groes, and the idea that this instrument world become fashionable favorite would have been secuted. I know something of this, for have been in the banjo business good many years. When I began the banjo was like this'' Mir Dobson went to a case and took out an ancient banjo, all of wood cheap in appearnce and which, when struck, gave forth the hard, tinkling sonnd that has become the generally recognized tone of the instrument.
 ''There is nothing particularly pleasing about that, |" said he, playing lively tune
 Now, hear this" From the same case he took banjo that differed much from the first. Its frame looked like silver, and was nickle plated. It had system of screws for tightening the sheepskin head. The whole instrument showed careful workmanship and was thing of beauty.
 There's tha banjo of today" Mir. Dobson continued. "It's quite an improvement in appearnce. isn't it, and also in toner" As he spoke he played, and the difference be- tween the two instruments was apparent
 "The banjo of to-day is a very different instrument from the banjo of antiquity. It is
 
 music, delicate effects, and very sweet tones. It is only five or six years since 1t became fashionable instrument, but there are several well known New Workers who have played it for many years. Fletcher Harper has played for twenty-two years, and is excellent banjoist The boom given to banjo playing in this city is due to the influence of Lord Dunraven. That young nobleman came to this country with very slight knowledge Of the instrument and great desire to become good player. He was at the hotel Brunswick, and sent for me to give him lessons. He apt pupil tGok the instrument kindly, and become very good player. He went in society good deal, and very soon the young people of Murry Hill began to come to me for lessons. I sold many $50 banjos and gave many lessons, and to-day the demand is as great as ever. I have almost given up teach ing those who desire to become professionals to go on the stage. I have entirely given up song and dance. I confne my work to teach ing amateurs, and now you will find banjo in every parlor. The once despised instru- ment has taken the place of the guitar, which was once so fashionable. It ought to crowd out the guitar, for it's only fit for sen timental lovers. The banjo has more life, can produce better effects, and is more of an instrument generally.
 Wehl, the pianist, took lessons of me, and made good progress. At one time James Gordon Bennett thought he'd learn to play the banjo. He spent $400 or $500 at 1t but never gave attention enough to make his playing amount to anything. One of my best pupils and one whom I always shall re- member with great pleasure, was E. L. Davenport, the actor. Why, he took lessons of me up to the time of his death, and became very good performer. Here is a letter that I thinka good deal of."
 It was from Mir. Davenport, dated at the Sturtevant House, Feb. 28th, 1876 The 5. hut ell My hand became very painful, and l could not even practice at home for several days. This was followed by a severe cold and the doctor advised me to stay in the house dur ing these cold days. Now, the sculptor who is doing my bust of Brutus has got hold of me, and his time is valuable. My young daughter has come home from Philadelphia and expects some attention from her pa." These, with other reasons, the actor gave for not appeared to take his regular lessons on the banjo. Had it been known that great Brutus could play the banjo it might possi- bly have detracted from the beauty of the famous tent scene, and those be found who wonld have suggested that rather than Lucius. Brutus should thump the careful banjo. Asa Smith, Esq.,, of Norwalk, has been nominated by the Democratic Senatorial con- vention as candidate for State Senator.
 MT. James, formerly proprietor of the Wolcottville Register, has purchased the Thomaston Express property, and will take charge of the paper at once.
 General Hawley will speak at Thomaston on the 18th, and rousing demonstration will take place. Several companies of Boys in Blue from adjoining towns will be present to participate in the parade.
 William Bassford, former resident of Thomaston, committed suicide by cutting his throat at Iion, N. Y., last week. No cause | is assigned for his rash act. His remains were forwarded to his relatives in Thomaston l for interment.
 | The will of Mrs Orra A. Bolles of Hart ford gives $5, 900 to the Baptist missionary union for foreign missions, $5, 900 to the Con 1 necticut literary institute of Suffield, 1 1OOO | each to Colby university at Waterville, Me, | and the Rochester theological seminary, $2, : | GOO to the Women's Christian association of Hartford and $1 ,OOO to the Asylum avenue | Baptist church of Hartford.
 A young woman named Taff was somewhat | injured at the Stamford depot, Tuesday | night by being struck with the wadding of | the Glenville Battery's cannon. She un- | thinkingly ran in front of the gun just as the last shot was fired, and that she escaped l with her life is one of the mysteries Two l Stamford boys took the wounded woman to physician and her injuries were properly | attended to.
 A serious fire at Huntington, nine miles north of Bridgeport, Wednesday, destroyed a 1 spoke factory, cider mill, vinegar works, | barn and store house, all owned by George S. Thompson also a dwelling house owned | by Augur Judson. Thompson's loss is about l $15, ,OOO, insured for $1 ,O0O, and Judson's | $5, 900, insured for $2, 200. The fire is SUD- posed to have originated from spark from l the chimney of the spoke factory.