The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1882-02-24
Picking on the Old Banjo.
New York World

New York World1
Since the Princess of Wales beoan to
play on the either, that instrument has
become very popular with English ladies,
many of whom have become skillful per-
formers. Young English gentlemen.
however, are rapidly acquiring a taste
for another instrument, which NAV also
be said to be American In its origin. One
of the English weeklies of a recent date
has the following paragraph: ''Seyeral
young men of my acquaintance, some
Guardsmen among them, are skillful
banJoists, and there seems a growing
with to perfect themselves In the art. In
the United States the banjo is much In
vogue with ladies, and 500 dollars is no
uncommon price to give for an instru,
ment. The above paragraph was shown
to Mr.. Henry G. Dobson, a well-known
performer on, and manufacturer of the
banjo.
so the once despised negro instru-
ment IS now popular in society,"" asked
the reporter.
Negro instrument? Let me tell you
that the banjo is not negro instrument.
No, sir; the banjo can claim to be the
oldest musical instrument we know. The
banjo comes from Egypt. It has been
found IN the tombs of the royal families
in the pyramids. Here is cut which
no one who has ever seen the banjo can
fail to recognize as the same instru-
ment." Mr.. Dobson showed on page
119 of Sir William Wilkinson's volume
of Egypt, cut of a musical instrument
resembling the banjo. Then he read
description of the instrument to show
that it resembled the banjo in constitu-
ton also. ga similar instrument" he
continued, ''still more closely resembling
the banjo has been found in India. Of
course, the banjo is African. When the
pyramids seemed TO be the only remains
of Egyptian civilization, the banjo was
no doubt played in the centre of Africa
by some fugitive Ethiopian slave who
had brought it from the land of his mas
ters. From Ethiopia it came to the slave
States, and nearly forty years ago, Joe
Sweeney, Virginian, introduced it to
New Workers on the stage of the old
Bowery. 1t became popular, and is now
known all over the world"
"What is the cause of the present
popularity of the Instrument"
"When we'll played the banjo is a very
fascinating instrument. You never hear
the banjo played as it ought to be played
at musical entertainment. A few COM
mon negro melodies and variation of
Home Sweet Home, or 'The Last Rose
of Summer, is the common musical
stock in trade of the minstrel performer.
The banjo is more easily played than
the guitar, which requires much exercise
and great persistence on the part OF the
learner. The banjo has stronger and
deeper tone. Bring it into parlor and
everybody listens. When you are de-
pressed it throws ray of sunshine into
the wearied heart. Oh! it is a lovable
instrument when you have once made it
speak to you. 1t has future before it.
have been in the business thirty years,
and every year the business increased.
"Is $500 q common price for a banjo.
''No, it is no common price. You can
buy banjo for 81, or you can buy one
for $3.50. The cheapest banjo I make
costs $15. nave made several for pre-
sentation, however, and those cost as
much as $500. They were very elabor-
ate instruments with solid silver heads,
rosewood necks and raised ivory frets.
This is little picolo banjo I have just
finished for young lady. 1t is worth
$40" This instrument was provided
with q broad white silk ribbon, de-
corated with water-color paintings OF
ferns and autumn leaves, SO that it
could be hung from the shoulder. Itwas
of German silver, with gilded brackets
and movable fnger-board. The case
was of black walnut, with the owners
initials on the cover, and was lined with
sky-blue velvet.
''Where do the English players get
their banjos?"
"They all order them from America.
They don't know how to make banjo
in England, but they all know me. They
all order very fine instruments, and
when they come to America they always
call for few lessons while staying IN
tho citv