The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-01-08

Wooisy" sang from the Alieghanies TO
the sea. Parson Weems was not an or
oinary fiddler. like thousands of others
VINO affected the accomplishment, but an
artistic amateur. who culled from all the
music Of the time the most exquisite
specimens and added TO his repertoire the
classic airs of other lands. Among these
were Continental Minuet" and five
reels and "riggadoons" that the gentle
man who learned them from Weems
could never find In any Of the music Of
The time published or played by ear" as
they called IL. The mlnuet opens with a
brilliant flourish like trumpet call, and
then there are four movements (AdaSio)
as plaintlve and beautiful az ever in
spired the slow and stately grace OF a
court beauty in the measure that made
Ierpsichore bedew her rose wreath with
tears as the poet tells. IL Is not unlike
the minuo; in Gounods Romeo and Juliet;
the long drawn signs of the music seem
to breath the woes of the lovers and the
sympathy Of tender hearts. while the
dancers, just touching the tips of their
fingers, appear to suggest the most glow
Ing sentiments tempered with the ex-
quiste grace OF perfect modesty, which
according to the melancholy Falkland is
the quintessence and only proper style In
dancing.
AS an instance OF Mr.. Weems correct
taste he played Notebook Sen Na-t-en
Guerre" In its original character o.. the
war hymn of the crusaders. which the
grim Templars chanted with sepulchral
effect through the barred helmet when
mounted and ready for one OF those
desperate exploits in which they excel
led all other warriors. The most beaut
full Of those old melancholy ballads was
Hubert and Alice" in which the lover
argues his cause against his noble rival
with such success that the lady without
pausing to make her adieux or her trous-
seau mounts en- croupe on Fleetfoot and
speeds 10 Kennyford Shrine.
The last reminiscence of Parson Weems
that the writer heard was concerning the
performance Of his faYorite Rigadoon,
The Forked Deer" at the White sulphur
Springs in 1880. where the most dlStn-
guished people OF the Southern States
used to spend the summer. The piece de
resistance of the ball was always the Viz
GINA reel which was danced by about
twenty-five couples or more. and took the
same time as Il dozen figures OF the mod
ern "CotillOn" as laid down by CelaTius
IN his wade Mecum" distinguished
turfman. a friend Of William r. Johnson,
the Napoleon Of the Turf" who had as
boy known Mr.. Weems. in relating the
story said that Mr. Clay became en-
thusiastic over the new reel. Down the
Hill at Natchez.' and 1 wagered him
that / would have better one. BY the
way. II was remarkable how so great a
statesman could be such a poor card
player; but he had a sentiment for music.
Scott OF Charlottesville. who was JEFF
fersons favorite fiddler, was the leader
Of the band, and | taught him ParsCn
Weems great riggadoon. The Forked
Deer. it may be true that Orpheus made
the oaks caper. but damn me. sir, when
they heard that tune the reel stopped
stopped dead still. and the ladies and
gentlemen stood spell bound by the music.
wen my bet. But Scott nor anybody
else could ever play it like the Parson
PAGE MCARTY.