New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-06
GYPSY HISTORY AND MUSIC
BROOKLYN WOMEN DEVOTE AN AFTER
NOON TO THE SUBJECT.
MRS. ALEXANDER BACON MISS IDA 4. JOHNSON
AND MISS ISABEL ROCKWELL AMONG
THOSE ON THE PROGRAMME

The Cambridge Association OF Brooklyn held the
first Of its February meetings yesterday at No 1913
ST. Jsmes'E Place. IN the studios Of Misses J. NJ
Culbertson and Ida A Johnson. reception Of
half hour held BY the hoste=ses Of the oe-
CASTOR. assisted by Mrs Alexander Bacon.
The president Mrs l. Y. Hoagland. unable
TO be present, and Mrs. A. E. Ormsbee, hrst vice
president presided over the business meeting. The
minutes OF the previous meeting were read by the
recording secretary. Mrs. l.. L. Nichols. and re-
ports were given by Miss E c. Graham, cor
responding secretary. and Mrs. ]. o. Williams.
treasurer.
After the business meeting Miss Culbertson
chairman Of the programme. took the chair. and
the entertainment began with a song b. Dvorak
sung by Miss isabel Rockwell The topic OF the
day being Gypsy History and Music" Miss Rock
we'll during the afternoon sang four OF Dvorak's
songs as peculiarly appropriate. and most
heartily applauded Mrs. Walter Pratt Long pro
fessional accompanies, was at the piano. Papers
were read by Mrs. Alexander Bacon and Miss Ida
A. johnson At the conclusion OF the first part OF
the programme there was an nternission with
refreshments. after which those present taken
through the charming studios
Mrs Alexander Bacon preceded her paper by
reading an account OF the death and burial OF the
Gypsy Queen SadR. VINO recently passed away at
ripe old age. Mrs. Bacon's paper touched upon
the literature and music Of gypsy tribes. and she
Grew the deduction from her careful study that
these people scarcely worth even the limited
attention that has been paid them in history
Upon one subject" said Mrs Bacon, ali writer's
agree. in the belief that gypses as a race are
utterly worthless and their salient characteristics
are outshone by the ordinary tramp. They have
secret language. which for q long time was con-
fused with the thieves language, which is slang
jargon known only to the fraternity.
we may say that they have no literature al
though 1t has been claimed that John Bunyan was
a gypsy. Some gypsy poetry has been preserved.
and also few gypsy stories, which seem to have
been extemporaneous productions to accompany
the guitar.
In recent years a great deal has been said OF
gypsy music but not able to discover that
there is any gypsy music Most of their music
consists Of variations OF the catchy airs of the
country in which they live and much Of what has
6een designated gyspy music is really Arabic and
Slavonic. The gypsy choir singers Of Russia seem
70 nave been famous fifty years ago. and doubtless
some of this race have been accomplished singers,
but we have never read Of being accom-
plished musician"
Miss Ida A johnson stated in her paper that
there were three sorts of gypsies under cOnsidera-
ton. First. the real gypsy known the police
and students Of the subject: second the gypsy 5
IDEAL gypsy, and third, our own ideal gypsy, the
creature of romance and song and story" Fol-
lowing his Miss Johnson quoted several poetic love
songs OF the Spanish gypsies.
A member who was too III TO be present con-
tributed paper be read Spanish Csypsies -
and treated the subject In realistic rather than
a romantic
The object Of the Cambridge Association Is the
intellectual and social development OF its members
by the presentation and discussion Of papers upon
literary subjects and current topics, and the basis
of membership is a willingness to share IN the
ing the year
Study of folklore is a special feature Of the club
work. of the two monthly meetings being given
every month 10 myths and folklore. The member
ship Is limited 10 fifty, and is follows: