Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1891-08-06
CHINESE ORCHESTRAS,
REMARKABLE INSTRUMENTS OF EAR
SPLITTING BANDS.

pensing tunes for the delectation of the
Celestial ears at the Chinese theaters in
this city, is composed of ten pieces, and
each player has his peculiar instrument,
on which he is an adept. He also per-
forms upon 1t with an apparent stoical
Indifference as to the scores of his fellow
musicians.
Thoroughly to equip an orchestra
with proper instruments entails cost
of S6950, which amount any nervous
householder who has ever had the mis-
fortune to reside within earshot of one
at practice would be willing to advance
twice over in order to have it moved on.
After purchasing the Instruments play
ers are needed, and their services vary
in price, according to ability, expertness
and reputation. The MOngolian musi-
clan values his ability at from 81 to 50
per night, but if he has climbed the lad
der of fame he will demand from s. to
$50 per night.
The drum, in the estimation of the
Chinese musician, is the most important
instrument, which opinion is shared like
wise by the juvenile American. A
Chinese drum costs twelve dollars, and
has much the same appearance as a keg
constructed of light wood, covered with
cowhide. This instrument is beaten
with pair of heavy wooden sticks, and
produces booming sound, which grows
extremely monotonous when it is con-
tinued for several hours.
THE CHINESE GONG.
| The alarm, or taps, is a Chinese musi-
cal device of peculiar construction. 1t
consists of framework of wood, upon
which is set a conical top of hard wood
covered with calfskin. Projecting from
the top of the frame is a hollow square
| the size of a cigar box, covered with
rawhide. Sounds are produced by strik-
ing the top, which emits bass notes, and
the projecting hide covered square with
drumsticks. This tuneful instrument
costs $3.50.
The cymbals of the Chinese are of
! hammered brass, similar in design to
those used by American bands, and costs
eighteen dollars.
Brass gongs shaped much like a tam
BORNE are used by Mongolian musicians
| in the makeup of their orchestra A
| first class gong can be bought for fifteen
| dollars.
A gong of concave form and of very
| light weight, that gives forth tingling
sound, is another orchestral instrument.
| 1t costs $3.50 MongOlian fiddles are of
peculiar construction and emit sounds
which, from a musical point of view, are
as inharmonious as the instrument is un-
couth in appearance. Divested of its
strings Chinese fiddle has the same ap-
| pearance as a mallet, with the handle
| long and fattened to about an inch in
width and an eighth of an inch in thick
| ness.
In the lower part of the handle are in
serted two keys, one above the other.
To each of the keys are attached two
strings of horsehair or catgut; the other
ends are firmly wound about the mallet
head. What varied and discordant
sounds are produced when the Chinese
fiddler runs his bow across the strings!
And besides the Chinese have the temer-
ity to ask $3.50 for such device.
THE BANJO, FLUTE, ETC.
The banjo of the heathen may be very
appropriately likened to a small sized
frying pan with very long handle. The
drum is covered with snakeskin drawn
tight Three keys and four strings com
plete the instrument, which is sold for
five dollars.
The bass banjo is the size of large
sized snare drum and about half the
depth. Four keys and the same number
of strings are used. The sum of $3.50
will buy one for ordinary USE
A Chinese flute is purchaseable at
seventy'fi five cents, if of ordinary make
and without OrnamentatiOn. 1t has ten
finger holes and gives vent to shrill and
discordant notes, which delight Chinese
ears but crate upon those of the Can
casian.
In some cases Chinese orchestras con-
tain several futists, who, when together,
appear to vie with each other in the
emitting of the most dismal and shrill
tunes that ever lacerated human nerves.
The clarinet is to the Mongolian what
the cornet is to US. Its evident use is to
add variety to the clamors of the drums
and cymbals and the discordant sounds
of flute and fiddle. 1t is sort of medi-
ator between all those revolutionary in
struments, and has tendency to veneer
the discord, which apparently is the ba-
sis of all Chinese music.
The Mongolian ear has become Injured |
to such strains, and to the child of the |
Flowery Kingdom it speaks of home, |
tragedy, love and revenge. So long as
he does not take summary vengeance |
upon his musically inclined fellow coun-
trymen let him enjoy to the full the ag-
onies of sound which Mongolian orches-
tras produce.-San Francisco Chronicle |
She Wouldn't Detain Him.
At famous and charming salon a GER
tain western woman, just now making |
little stir in !iterarydom, was the hon
ored recipient of marked attention on
the part of the gracious hostess. Quite
late in the evening there was a small |
hubbub at the door, and in strobe one of
New York's most prominent journalists |
and diplomatists. Tall, military, white |
haired, ruddy checked, distingue, in
faultless evening dress, he bent over the |
hostess hand, explaining that he has |
just stolen away from an important en-
gagement moment to pay his devoirs.
"But," said Mrs. -, ''now that you
are here, you must meet Miss -, of |
whom | was telling you"
He-My dear Mrs. -, thousand |
thanks, but some other time ! shall be
delighted. l really have not moment
to spare. /
She Fairly dragging him across the
room, if so rude verb may express so
dainty an action)-COlonel -, this is
Miss -, of -, the coming woman.
Miss - (whose keen ears and ready
wit had grasped the situation, gracious
ly but deprecatively(-Pray, do not let
her detain the going man, Mrs. s.,
and presenting his much in demand |
highness the sidewise curve of white
shoulder, she continued the laborious
sustainment of an Englishman in con-
versation.-New York World.
Red Hair the Fashion.
L.. Il. IL.