The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-09-21
THE BANJO now IN Fashion.

ordained revolution. II is the judgment
day of humanity.
THE BANJO now IN FASHION.
Theatrical Star. and socia, Leader. who
stram its Resonant Strings.
New YORK World.
Who ever fancied . score of years ago.
when some dear old Uncle Remus. whom
all the children and dogs on the plantation
adored, sat picking his banjo BY the light
Of the little cabin fire or stunning the
same instrument in the soft Southern moon
light. while the other darkies sang the
piaint've songs Of their captivity 10 the
twanging strains. that the banjo would one
day become the fashion, Whose magma
ton ever pictured future for that rude in
strunent IN which fair white fingers would
evoke from 1t sweet strains, when it would
rival in popularity the guitar, the harp and
the either. and would be found in kings
palaces, played upon by princess Yet this
Is just what has come TO pass. Now is the
era OF the banjo. From the very primitive
instrument fashioned and played upon by
the negroes Of the South has been evolved
graceful, beautiful creation of fine wood
and silver and snowy parchment. 1, is
rich with carving. deiicately inlaid with
The fair player hangs it over her shoulder
by silken scarf. 1t is packed in a softly
lined case of beautifully dressed leather. 1t
often costs as much rs would have kept a
plantation of darkies jolly for year in the
days when the humble prototype of this
splendid evolution of the darkies' banjo
vas the only piece" OF music at their
revels.
1t is now some thirty years since the
Dobson brothers, five in number, began
to create the popularity of the banjo. They
gave concerts all over this country and
finally in Europe. Professionals began to
seek instructions. and amateurs sprang up
everywhere. Suddenly society discovered"
IL, and its fortune was made. For some
years past il has fairly ragged in American
draw:ng-rooms Maids and maidens alike
have toyed with it. displaying more or
less skill. according 10 the patience with
which they have studied. &. Edgar Dob
son, the son OF the original Dobson, has
an establishment at No. f2l West Forty
second street. where he gives instructions
In banjo playing. He is young man. but
has already, at one time or another, taught
most OF the amateurs and good many OF
the professional players. He was born and
brought up In an atmosphere of banJos. He
gave Ellen Terry lessons during her first
season in New York. and speaks OF her as
d most delightful and indefatigable pupil.
She has SIS Echo" banjo. Lolita, who
is little banjo crank AMI has no fewer
than five instruments. has taken lessons at
diferenttimes. Estelle Clayton. who plays
nicely, is a pupil OF the present represen-
tative OF the family. SO is Carrie Swayne.
who has 5000 banjo.
Among other professionals who play the
banjo are Mrs. Langtry, Helen Sedgwick,
Royal Moss, Myra Goodwin, Dave VAN
bold. Denman Thompson, Clara Louise
kellogg, Christine Nilsson, Emma Abbott,
Capoui. Mrs. James Brown Potter. Emmett.
Tony Pastor and James :. Burds tie. The
late Lester wallack played the banjo with
considerable skill, as did also +. l.. Dayen-
port.
Beyond $50. the additional price is paid
for ornamenta.ion only. FOR the above
mentioned su,n everythin greatly necessary
in quality and tone 10 a thoroughly first
class banjo can be furnished. But many
people desire instruments richly inlaid,
carved and sometimes jeweled. These, of
course are costly. The most expensive
banjo Mr.. pobson has yet supplied cost
$500. The workmanship was exquisite and
il was complete in every detail-cover. case
and even the scarf to sling it across the
shoulder which was of pale blue satin. del
ieaiely painted with . garland OF flowers.
Among fair banjo amateurs are the nieces
of Peter Cooper. Miss Reid niece OF White
law Reid Miss NJ b. Patterson,
grand daughter of ex-President John
son; Miss Brandre,h. Miss Carleton
and Miss Marie Louise Paine. Lady Ran
dolph Churchill also plays extremely
well, and so does Lady Vaudeville. These
ladies set the fashion in London society.
and there is now quite a list of English
notabies who finger the old plantation in
s,rument. The Prince and Princess OF
Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edin-
burch, Princess Beatrice, the Duchess OF
Albany, Lady Cook, Lady Aline Van Tenn
pest, Lady Ashley. Lady Morford. Lady
sullivan. Lord Dsirymple. Lord Herbert
yane, Lord Churchill, Lord Dunrsyen and
many others are enthusiastically fond OF
the banjo.
Some OF the men who play in New York
are q. Il. Gunther. IT,, George Law, IT.,
Fred Vanderbilt, Arthur Ciafisu, Mr.. Bran
area,h. c. II. Arthur, Lieutenant II. II.
SIocum. Mr. Hilton. Royal Moss. Samuel
shaw. simeon Ford, A :. nodd William
Farmer. Jacob RUPERT, jr., Messrs- Walter
and Wallace Sect, Mr.. Brewster and Philip
DIVER. There are many banjo clubs in
exisfsnee and new ones are constantly
farming. Mr.. nobson says he is often
called upon 10 instruct club classes OF six
or eight. and he has been approached with
. nronosi;ion TO teach class At Nassar
anssstsfs winter.