The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-20
GYPSY MUSICAL BANDS
Hungary The LAND Where Their
Strains Are Ever Loved.
Trials i'm the Western World Related
by n Leader From Budnpcst-A
Race Who Always Weep When
Melody Is in the Air-Mnny Fraud
uIent Competitors in This Country.

Most gypsies are born gypsies. Most Of
them are born in the transient tent, of
parents whose lives consist in moving on.
But recently a musical gypsy was en-
countered in Hungarian restaurant on
"Goulash Avenue" who was born In com
paratlveIy high life and embraced the pro-
fessiOn of the gypsy for the love OF 1t.
When he met a person who seemed inter
ested in his tribe and his affairs he laid
aside his beloved goulash, which he was
eating at the time, and talked eagerly and
with yehemence about himself, his adopt
ed people and particularly about his
wrongs.
P. X. Matus, who is at present the leader
of a Hungarian orchestra of gypsy nusi-
clans. was born in Budapest, Hungary, and
was educated at a Cathol:a seminary with
the object OF becoming priest. The SEM
mary was situated in small town near
Budapest, and little Matus, who had
great love for the country, used to wander
about the sioping hills. He heard the
hungarian peasant girls as they returned
in the late afternoon from harvesting, and
the fascinating music of many a wandering
gypsy made its impression on the little
boys soul The kind of environment in
which he found himself is best described
in his own way:
The solitary pleasure of the people
was music and dance. When a young man
wanted to entertain his girl he would hire
a gypsy to play, and then he and mis- girl
would weep together. For Hungarians al
ways weep when they hear music. They
go OFF to have a good time, to hear music
and weep. 1t all goes together. At ey-
cry occasion, every CEREMONY birth. a
marriage, holiday-the gypsy musicians
must be present and lead In the joy and
the weeping.
Gypsy music is the passion of the Hun
garians. AS you go higher in society it is
the same. The Dobleman has musicians
at his house or castle, and on them he
cannot lavish enough. The poor peasant
will spend his last cent when moved to
tears by gypsy strains, and the young no.
b!eman will spend a fortune on these
wandering artists. Many of them become
bankrupt in this way. There is q story
told, and it is true, about an old noble
man who was dying. His son had been
ruined through the love for the gypsy mu-
sicians. The old man had a party Just
before his death, and invited many friends
tic come and See him for he last time. 1t
is a custom in Hungary for dying mobiles
to receive their friends, and they are al
ways very generous on such occasions
and usually have gypsies to play for them.
The leader of the orchestra upon which
the nobieman's son had ruined himself
went to the old mans funeral party, ex-
pecting large gift. But judge Of his as
tonishment when the old nobleman, in
stead of being moved to tears and gener-
osity, was indignant at the sight of him
He thought it mere impudence. Wasn't
he strangely naiye?"
Young Matus was carried away by the
spirit of gypsy music, and therefore ran
away from the seminary, and began a
wandering life. He lived in tents or in
the open for many years, learned the
gypsy language, which he describes as
similar to that of the North American In
dian. In fact, he says, there is strong