The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1901-11-28
60 YEARS OF DANCING.
Prof. j. C. Written is Light on His Feet
at so.
Boston Sunday Globe.

at 80.
Boston Sunday Globe
In the northern part of the city of
Belfast, Me-, there lives pleasing
character in the person of Prof. Jere-
miah c. Written, well known through
the State as dancing master and ex-
pert viOlinist, and even, at an advanced
age, the envy of all the country lads
around, as we'll as his city contempora-
ries.
Young at the age of nearly 80 years
is Prof Written, who is yet in the dizzy
whirl of fashionable dances, and still
skilfully handles his violin in a manner
which produces those rich tones of
music known to the musician.
The subject of this sketch was born
in Freedom, Me-, the son of a farmer
and mechanic, and in that town his
early days were passed. At the age of
IS years, after having taken thorough
course Of study in Freedom academy,
he left home to teach school, following
that occupation several years.
From his mother he inherited rich
musical gifts, and under her direction
he began a study of music, taking his
first lesson on the violin from her. the
mother being an expert with the violin
cello. Giving great attention and close
study to his instruction, he became a
proficient musician, and at that time no
gathering i'll the country round about
was popular without his presence, his
musical work being in great demand.
In 1e47 Prof. Written decided to adopt
the study of music as that OF a profess
sion. in connection with the duties of a
dancing master, which brought him
later into great demand. and which still
continue.
From his home in Freedom he came
with Charles H. Howard of Boston
later going to Boston and studying un-
der the tutorship of Ira J. White. 1t
was there that Prof. Written learned
the round dances which were just be-
coming popular in the leading society.
On completing his course in Boston he
went to Bangor, Me, and there entered
the private academy OF Knight 4 Sweet
yer.
Since finishing his studies Prof Whit
ten has resided in this city, where he
owns little home, built in the style of
the south, and he and his wife are indeed
quaint people. They are very retiring
people, and other than following the
duties of his occupation Prof. and Mrs.
Written go out very little. They have
one son grown to manhood. The occu-
patton of dancing master and violinist
has kept the professor very busy, and
he has always had more work than he
was able to do in that line.
Sometimes he has full orchestra, and
then again only an organ to play &C
compartment to his violin, and long
ago he often played for dances with
only violin. Nearly four score years
of age, but Jealous as ever, the thump,
thump, thump of his foot is always
heard as he beats out the music, while
the dance goes on.
Very erect always in walking or seat
ed, he yet possesses that quick step and
lively movement which has character
lied his life He is always very exact
on the floor, and sorry the boy who
shows any breach of etiquette upon the
floor, for the music stops, a reprimand
is given and the dance starts on again.
In conversation with the writer, Prof.
Written said, Here I'm almost 50, and
they wont give me up. In still in
great demand and playing three and
four nights out of the week for dances.
l don't know how ] shall stand it, but
they can't get along without me-" and
he was gone.
Prof. Written is as light as a boy in
his teens, and the manner in which he
carries himself upon the floor is indeed
pleasing, while his youthful and agile
ways would put to test the best work
OF the younger generation.
In 80 years of teaching dancing and
music he has taught over 200 regular
+,,e 1Dlc in1
occasions and dances for which he has
furnished music are too numerous to
mention. 1t can safely be said that
haps none in New England, who had
smart, responding to calls for music
within radius of 20 miles, at his age.
Prof. Written always goes home the
same night if he can get there, drives
his own team, and travels alone.
SO true to his work and SO natural
has it become to him, that he has been
known to actually go to sleep while
playing for a dance and continue call
ing in the contras and playing, with
no apparent interruption, unless it be
the length of the dance.
His violin is a thousand dollar make,
from which he is able to produce the
sweetest sounds, and to him there is no
better and costlier instrument made.
His first violin, although valued as high
as the present one in these days, cost
but the sum of 10 cents and yet he was
able to produce rich quality of music.
1t was indeed one of those old fashion
ed affairs, having a bow which resem-
bled barrel hoop and strings of horse
hair about Is inches in length.
reputation has travelled well over the
State and he is, indeed, widely known.
Hale and hearty, the professor is pass
ing his days and reaping his usual COM
plimentary rewards,