The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1892-11-25
ORIGIN OF THE BANJO.
Whoro tho Negro's Favorite Music
First Game From.
a Rudeiy Constructed Afair which Has
Developed Into Popular
aud Pleasing In
strGment.

Over half century ago, in the town
of anjormas, on the island of Java, a
negro native of the place-with that
love of music which his race universally
pnsscsseS-desiring an instrument to "a
company the voice, conceived the fol
lowing plan:
Taking a cheese box and crossing it
with goat or sheep skin, hc ran a handle
through it, then, using violin String:,
which were tuned To the first, third.
iifth and eighth notes of an octave, hc
gave i, the name of banjo" from the
first two syllables in the name of his
native town. No banjo of this time is
known To be in existence, but from de
Syriptions handed down they must have
been very rude instruments, says Anna
l.. Williams III Nate Fields Washing
tn.
As the years passed improvements
were made, but only in slight degree
Throughout our southern states banjoS
became aS plentiful as piclianinnies and
negroes might be found on any planta-
tion who could make the banjo talk"
Many a scene of mcrriment was enact
cd in the quarters" after the days
work was done. young and old juggling
around to the lively notes of the inStru-
mcnt as if bcwitched, till the dancers,
one Icy one, fell down exhausted.
But this country was not To have
monopoly of such merry music, for more
than forty years ago the banjo crossed
the briuy deep and made its debut on
the London boards. 1t was at the
Princess thcatcr. then under the man
agcmcnt of Mr.. Maddox, and the per
IN
player named Sweeney. Public taste,
however. had not been trained as yet To
banjo music 50 Mr.. Swecney's stay on
English soil was brief. The judges Of
classical music looked upon the banjo
as "A cross between the guitar and tam
BOURNE, and would not encourage its
use.
But less than five years after Mr..
Sweeney and his banjo were avenged.
The original ethiopian SercnadcrS''
from America took London by storm.
They came, they were Scen-and they
conquered. When the curtain went up
on the st. james stage the audicn,c
bchrid row upon row of chairs on which
sat men with faces blacllened by burnt
cork, wigs Of curly wool, and lips Of
vivid red. When the strains of Poor
Lucy Neal" were heard there were few
dry eyes in the house.
Night after night London crowded
the hall, and the most renowned states
mrn-amOng them Sir Robert Peel
could bc seen with stately head, Isravcly
keeping time t. songs which set the
people wild. Mr.. Cr,viilc has said that
thC airs became familiar in fashionable
circles. and around many Il piano were
gathered sons and daughters of wealth.
all joining in the strains of Il t my
money on the bob-tailed nag" The
songs, however, were nothing compared
To the banjnists. Mr.. Pell, the original
bones" Was admired, but the banjo
players We're idolizcd. Men forgot the
cares of business or state while listen
iI.r To the tum-tum of the banjo.
As the instrument is now made il is
pEctty en"u.'h t. have n satin ribbon on
it.Sud h" suspended from the neck 4 la
ertntar In clever performers hands
thc banjo seems capable of doing every
thing bells chime, waters ripple, winds
blow, birds sing. and many other pleas
Mt id,-Is are evoked; but IL will never
lo for roI.,ancc, it,, very name l. against
I; yrhctie- from association or not. we
'aunot connect romance and the banjo.
rhc neck is now made with fretS. Siui-
tar IL the guitar, and the circular head
is covered with a fine calfsllin which is
tightly held by a large number of
clamps with screws attached. These
tighten the skin and assist in giving u
murc souorous tone. Thus science has
improved the rough toy instrument of
more than half a century ago until it is
hardly inferior in style or tone To its
near relative, the guitar.