Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-02
SINGERS IN PARLIAMENT.
More Musical Talent Among Members
Than Might BE Supposed.

From the Musical Strand Magazine.
The commons is noted rather for its dis
cords than for its harmonies. But although
the parliament orchestra as a whole would
be eminently unsuitable for an orchestral
concert, yet a number of individual must
clans might be selected from among them
Who as solo performers, could be relied I'D
On to provide an excellent entertainment
Foremost among musicians IN the commons
must be mentioned ]. W. Sidebotham. who
has taken the degree of bachelor of music
and can discourse as learnedly on the musi-
cal art as on the political situation Then
comes c. Stuart Wortley, who, although lie
is wont to speak with great modesty of his
musical achievements, has written two ex-
cellent songs. why Does Azure Deck the
Sky?' and The Gypsys Dirge." Arthur
Balfour, too, is a cultured musician, who
delights not only in listening to the best
performers, but In playing the pianoforte
for his own pleasure. It does not appear
that Mr.. Gladstone with all his marvellous
strumentalist. But in the bygone days the
eminent statesman delighted in singing
and 1t is on record that his favorite song is
My Pretty Jane" a ballad that is not so
familiar today it was generation or
two ago. Sir Richard Webster is well
known as member of a church CHOIR and
he has appeared on the platform at concerts
with great success Sir Richard incIines
toward sacred and serious music: Sir Ed
ward Clarke, IL report be true, leans toward
the humorous, and can render a coSter ditty
with marvellous effect.
The labor members are specially strong
In musical talent John Burns, when a
roSy-cheeked youngSter, sang in a surpIicad
choir; and Keir. Hardie is not only a per-
former on the melodeon, but can put pa
thos and force into Scotch ballad His
fau ifa lie -
rendering Of 1t has frequently evoked the
plaudits of his admirers. And specially
prominent. of course, is William Abraham
familiar to the Welsh people and to the
commons as "Mabon." Mabon can by
singing 1.-The Men Of Harech' or Land of
My Fathers" rouse a Welsh audience to
the widest pitch of enthusiasm. The hon
orable member has, it is true, never raised
his voice in song within the house itself,
but he is able TO boast that he has sung at
the request OF speaker.
1t arose in this way: In the short parlia-
ment of 1883 Mr. Peel invited all The labor
members then in the house to a special din
ner. After the repast an adjournment was
made to the library, and here, at Mr.. Peel's
request. Mabon favored the company with
vocal selection. No one was more delight
ed than the then speaker, who beat time on
his knees as the singer proceeded. there is
an excellent story told of Mabon's exchange
of compliments with Nine. Patti. At a
concert in Wales Mabon and the great
The concert over, Nine. Patti stepped up 10
the NJ. p. and observed. with a pleasant
smile. You sing really well. Mr.. Abra-
ham," YES. madam" responded Mabon,
CALAMITY, land SO do vou.''
The Irish party can boast of number of
vocalists. The veteran T. d. Sullivan has
written the words of many an irish litty,
and has sung them with great effect at
numerous political and festive gatherings.
Tim Healy, too, is much given to rendering
Irish ballads, MARY nouncl;y'' being his
favorite song. Mr.. Healy plays his own ac-
compartment: while his brother Tom, who
sits for North Wexford, is an accomplished
pianist. Dr. Tanner can sing a good song,
and so can Tom Condor and DR.. Fox.
The Scotch members do not appear to be
so musical as their brethren from Wales
and ireland. II is true that parliamentary
caricaturists not irfreGuentiy depict one or
the other of the repTesen .atiyes Of Scotland
playing a solo on the bagppas, but il is
doubtful whether in reality anyScotch mem
Der of parliament IS in the habit OF per-
forming on an instrument that is regarded
by the unappraciative Southron as a fear
some and unholy invcn;ion.
There is one member who probably owes
his seat in the COMMONS to he sweet sing
ing of his wife; ana, indeed, music at poiiti-
cal meetings is becoming quite in vogue.
Capt. Grice Hutchinson. Mr.. Newdigate and
R. J. Price, who are now NJ. P.'S, sang to
the electors at the general election, and who
knows how many votes whtch otherwise
would have gone to their opponents were
captured by their musical efforts? Mr..
Price, be IL said, used to render Catering
the Speakers Eye" with great susto. He
has since had plenty OF opportunities of
catching the august optic of that august
parsonage. IL the practice OF having mus-
cal election meetings grows. there ought TO
be a great field among parliamentary candi-
dates for teachers ot instrumental music
and voice production.