Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1885-03-13
THE BAeP,PE,
IT'S Marvellous Influence Over tho High
land Soldier.

The only musical instrument that can
be said to be distinctively national is
the Highland bagpipe. Violin, flute,
and other instruments are common to
many nations, but the bagpipe is Pc
culiar 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
dignitied social position-in the stirring
times which Sir Walter Scott has so
i%nimitably depicted-the 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 its shrill note was the first
sound that fell on the ears of infantry;
it charmed the rude Caledonians 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 is marvellous. Above the
rattle of musketry and the turmoil and
noise of the battlefield the inspiring
notes of the pibroch have spoken en-
couragement 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 a 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 some use."
.'Let them blow in Gods name, then,"
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 adduced. 1t has
stimulated the H%ighlanders on the field
of Assaye; it has led them or 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 fight with valor and de-
fend their country with honor.
The bagpipe-or rather the Pipe OF
some form or others 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 aperformer on the instrument
something like a bagpipe is represent
ed. 1t was, it has been stated, included
in the band of the Grande Ecurie at
Paris, and wa 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 a bag was added,
and subsequently the drones or bur
dens. There are now four forms OF the
modern bagpipe in this c%ountry,,the
great Highland bagpipe, which is blown
by the player, the drones beng Placea
pipe, which is provided with a bellows
Tor 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.