The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1885-05-09
GA44E BAoplPE.



Its MarveIdus Influence Over the High
land Soldier.
: Theonly musical instrument that can
be said 70 be distinctiyely national is
the Highland bagpipe. Violin, flute,
and other instruments are common to
many nations, but the bagpipe is Pc
euliar to Scotland, and if it does not
now occupy the position it once did it
is to be found in no other country. In
the days when the notorious Rob Roy
committed his depredations, when the
Vich Ian Vhors lived securely in their
Highland Businesses, and kept up their
dignified social position-in the stirring
times which Sir Walter Scott has so
infmitably depicted bagpipe- player
was one of the important personages
in the. chieftain's "tail" or retinue, and
these may be considered as the palmy
days of the instrument. Within the
region more correctly known as the
Highlands it's shrill note was the first
sound that fell on the ears of infantry;
liitl charmed the rude 0aledonians in
times of joy and comforted them in
scenes of mourning; it animated their
heroes in battle and welcomed them
back from their conflicts; and wherever
their chief went it accompanied them,
even to the grave. The effect which
this wild instrument has. ON the High
land soldiers ismarvelous. Above the
rattle Of musketry and the turmoil and
noise of the battlefield the inspiring
notes of the pibroch have spoken en-
enlargement to the Highlanders and
led them bravely forward. At the bat
tie of Quebec. when the troops were
retreating in disorder, and when the
conflict had discouraging aspect, the
General complained of the bad conduct
of Fraser's corps. Sir" said the
officer, ''you did very wrong in forbid
ding the pipers. to play. Nothing in
spirits the Highlanders so much. Even
now they would be of sonic use.
LET them blow in Gods name, them"
said the General. The order being
given, the pipers started an old and
well-known air; the Highlanders rallied
together, and bravely returned to the
charge. Many instances of the remark
able effect of this peculiar musical in.
strument might be addueed. 1t has
stimulated the Highlanders on the field
of Assaye; it has led them on to the
heights of Alma; cheered them at the
uncongenial Gold Coast; encouraged
them on their marches through Afghan
istan mountains and Egyptian sands;
accompanied them to South Africa, and
to whatever part of the world duty has
called them to.tight with valor and de-
fend their country with honor.
The bagpipe-or rather the pipe OF
some form or ,other-is an instrument
of great antiquity. 1t was known to
the Trojans, and the ancient Egyptians
and Greeks were familiar with it. There
are references frequently to piping in
the Bible; Theocritus mentions it, and
according to Procopius its inspiriting
strains led the Roman warriors into the
field of battle. On the reverse of a coin
of the Emperor Nero-said himself to
have been performer on the instrument
something like bagpipe is represent
ed. 1t was, it has devastated, included
in the band of the Grande Ecurie at
Paris, and was played at court concerts
in the time of Louis XIV. At the end
OF the fifteenth century it seems to have
become popular in Scotland, but what
the precise form of the instrument then
was is not known. Some say that it
was derived from the Romans, while
Others are of opinion that it came
through the northern nations to Scot
land. AT any rate, it seems to have
been always one of the musical instru-
ments of the Celtic race. The pipe
mentioned in ancient history was sim
ply what is known as the shepherds
reed. After a time bag was added,
and subsequently the drones or bur
dens. There are now four forms of the
modern bagpipe in this Countryside.
great Highland bagpipe, which is blown
by the player, the drones being placed
over the shoulders; the Lowland bag
pipe, Which is provided with a bellows
for supplying the wind; the Northum-
berland, bagpipe, which is smaller and
Sweeter than the former two. and the
Irish bagpipe, which is a much more
complicated instrument than the 9th.
ers, London STANDARD.