The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-03-13
Where Jews'-narps Are Made.

ifrOm tne Albany Journal
The village Of Bath-on-the- II udson, though
manufacturing interests are few, can boast
Of possessing the only jews'-harp factory in
the United States, outside of New York
City. Simple as. the jews harp is, II requires,
nevertheless. no little skill In construction.
The proprietor Of the factory Is John
Smith. For thirty years he has worked at
the business. and he has perfected himself
to such an extent that his work Is
recognized as among the best in the world.
The factory is a small building situated a
short distance of Third street. and although
unpretentous, contains every facility for the
manufacture of jews-harp.
Twenty years ago, in England, Nj. Smith
began his apprenticeship at the trade. Hear
ing from friends In this county that here
would be found better market for the sale
OF his speciality. he determined to emigrate.
Arriving In New York he failed to secure
employment. and. deciding to start in busi-
ness for himself, he went to Troy and opened
a factory there. He was but moderately sue
cessful In Troy, and after a short time moved
to Bath, built factory, and Is perfectly sat
isied with the location. The Smith jews
harp Is sold principally to firms in New York,
Boston and Chicago. These firms sell the
goods to retailers throughout the United
States.
When the factory Is running at its fullest
capacity over two gross a day are turned out.
The busiest time Of the year Is that Just pre-
ceding the holidays. During this season the
factory employs hye people-the proprietor,
his two sons and two other Englishmen,
who live near the factory.
The manufacturer Of the "haTps" Is an in
terestlDg process, and but few people are
aware OF the large amount OF work expended
In making jews harp Of good tone. The
frames OF the instrument are not made by
Mr.. Smith. He buys them from foundry.
Upon these frames Is besto we'd the least
work 1t Is In setting the steel tongue In the
frame and fling the lower portion OF tue
frame to fit the tongue that the most care ana
The frst work done on a jews-harp Is to
place the frame In wise, file OIL the rough
ness and taper down the points, so that each
side presents a sharp edge, between which
the tongue Is TO vibrate. The most delicate
work then begins. A piece OF steel wire Is
cut from a coil, hammered fiat at one end
and left round at the other, and tempered
with the greatest care. The flat end Is then
set In the arc of the frame, and then the two
arms are carefully pressed and hammered
they as cGSs as possible to
Tne round end OF the tongue Is then bent
in the form OF right angle, the point Is
turnod over, and the harp" Is ready TO be
placed In the hands Of the finisher. There
are seven sizes and four kinds Of finishing
the common, gold bronze, lacquered and tin
plated, The harp can be toned to any pitch.
TO make the tone high the tongue Is made
small and pressed back toward the frame TO
make the tone lower IL Is bent forward. Mr..
Smith Is not only good maker Of the harp,
put can extract quite little music from the
little instrument. He can also play two at
once, which he tones so that they are IN
harmony, by fling the frames.
When business Is rushing Mr. Smith
whole family Is pressed into service, ana
work Mr.. Smith prophesies that within
few year the instruments he makes VIII A,,oo oo
in more general use than now ne mas az az Inso so
enlarged hts factory, and expects W w ~
again.