The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1889-01-05
THE BANJO IN THE eouooR.
1ts TraAs3ormnation from Log Cabin "a
the Aomee Of Princes.

can we'll imagine the feelings of tbs
New Orleans darky, as he existed be-
fore the war, If he could only visit .
London drawing-roon, in full season
and hear the young scions OF the aris-
tocracy twanging the once-derided
~'plantation" instrument in the ears OF
the damseis of high estate. SAYS Henry
Labouchere in the London Truth. The
aged tenant of an Ohio cabin holding
would prcbably be equally astonishcd
could he but see the most exalted male
in this realm throwing aside those
troubles which the inhabitants of the
greater republic are pleased to con-
slider the affairs of state, and giving a
-boudoir performance on the banjo be-
fore the princess and their daughters.
am informed by those who ought to
know that the Prince of Wales, like
his relative the Car of Russia, is no
mean performer on the banjo. and as
he has an excellent musical memory,
without pretending to too much tech
nical knowledge, he can, after return
ing from the opera or opera bouffe,
pick out the tunes on the banjo with
astonishing facility. 1t is not Alto
gether surprising that the banjo is once
more becoming popular here. 1t is es-
sentially a home instrument, and
among the negroes in the south of
the United States-that is to say,
among probably the most domesticity-
loving community in the world-the
banjo is at once a solace and joy. 1t
is even more to the humble darky
than the pipe is to the British working
man; for not only will it keep him
company when he is alone, but it is
the national instrument of mirth and
festivitv. The banjo is heard as the
cotton boat floats down the river. The
Venetian gondoliers, the rowers on the
Neva, and the American niggers all
enjoy boating melodies while at their
work. The Thames bargee alone pre-
fers the sound of his own peculiar
vocabulary. But the revival of banjo
playing in London is not confined to
the royal family. Mr.. Gladstone him.
self is said to favor the instrument,
which also solaces the few intervals of
leisure in which other brain-workers
are able to indulge. Moreover, it has
had the incidental effect of reviving a
taste for the guitar and the mandolin.
which, though akin to it, both differ
from the good old banjo of the London
drawing-room. Indeed, the mandolin,
which is played with plectrum. is but
a tinkling-bell compared with the ban
jo or guitar. OF the three I am, how
ever, inclined to think that the guitar
has the most promising future. AL
though it may not possess the mascu-
line majesty of the banjo, it has
around it the ineffable halo of romance.
Moreover, it well becomes man. al /
ways supposing that he be not of cor
pulent habit; and as he attitudinizes,
among a circle of adniring ladies, the
blue ribbon hung lightly over one
shoulder and under one arm, he may.
If he but possess figure at all, easily
imagine himself tirst-class ''masher."
The guitar has, too, the advantage of
possessing fairly good repertory of
music written especially for it, thanks
to the labors of Guillania, Legnani,
Kreutzer, Regondi. and Leonard
Schultz. The banjo, however, does
not deserve the unworthy wit lcveled
At it by those who have only heard it
as performed by the peripatetic mu-
'ician at the head Of Margaret Jatty.
Or by the musical partner of the
Bones of negro minstrelsy. The in /
All Ulster immigrant
,nce described as drumhead with the
bottom knocked out-can discourse
'weet music if played by an expert.