davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1902-04-13

Venice, was the immediate predecessor OF
the piano. The harpsichord in its matur-
ity belongs to the eighteen century. Its
name is derived from the harp arrange
ment of the strings, and this serves to
illustrate the statement that the essen
tal principle of the piano is as old as
that prehistoric instrument. for upon the
oldest of Egyptian monuments the harp
has been found sculptured.
The virginia. has but one string to each
key. Another string is added to the harp
sichord, giving it a more powerful and
sustained tone. The two strings were in
unison. but later on a third string was
also added. so that soft and loud effects
could be obtained by going from one key
board to the other.
Handel Possessed Harpsichord. -
The great Handel possessed a fine Ruck-
er harpsichord, made in Antwerp. In
shape it resembled a grand piano. The
case and lid were of ebony, with orna-
ments of gold colored LACQUER work. The
sounding board was also ornamented;
The Washington times., 1902-04-13
DID p'.1

story. Mr.. and Mrs. NJ were among
the few people who had the pleasure Of
getting rather close to Prince Henry
when the latter visited Washington. Mr.
NJ was invited to accompany the
Princes party over TO New York to at
tend a certain famous banquet given at
the Waldorf Astoria.
Mrs. Nj was asked TO go along also
and sit in one of the boxes that line the
Waldorf-Astoria ballroom and partake OF
what crumbs might fly upward from the
banqueting tables. They went over on
the Princes train and Mrs. M made
an elaborate toilet for the evening.
Among other things with which she
adorned herself was a magnificent pair
Of pearl earrings, her latest gift from her
indulgent husband. They were made ac-
cording TO the latest fashion-not 10
pierce but to be pressed tightly onto the
ears.
When Mr. and Mrs. NJ arrived in
the neighborhood of the hotel there was
a long string of carriages and an i'm
mense throng upon the sidewalk. Mrs
M decided she would prefer getting
through the crowd to waiting in line, so
the two left the carriage and made their
way on foot for about quarter Of a
block to the hotel entrance. When Mr..
NJ had gone his allotted way and Mrs.
NJ had settled herself in the front of
a box full OF friends. in all the pride of
a stunning display of jewels. she put her
hands idly TO her ears and found her ear
rings gone.
1T was her usual unhappy luck.
THE magnificent pearls were irreyoc-
ably lost. They had been deftly slipped
from her ears by a street thief in the
crowd surrounding the hotel. Poor Mrs.
Ms evening was spoiled. though she
The Washington times., 1902-04-13

laughed and joked and friyoled bravely
while she suffered tortures Of inward re-
morse.
1T was over at last and the Prince had
gone and Mr.. and Mrs. NJ were back in
their section of the sleeper and en- route
for Washington before the latter cOnfided
TO her husband She was entirely I'M
nerved and wept and suffered so acutcly
that her husbands wrath seemed slow TO
gather Finally he burst out-yOu see
Mr.. M is a soft hearted man and can
not bear to witness a womans tears.
Don't cry any more, darling. Hang it all,
the earrings were not worth it. | can't
endure to see you so unhappy and | may
as well own up that those earrings were
not genuine and can be replaced tomorrow
if you are so keen about them His wife
ceased crying and sat up majestically to
demand an explanation.
Mr. M felt like culprit, but went
on: Well, you sec, dear, you are so con-
foundedly careless about your things that
| discovered years ago that it would not
do to go on buying thousand dollar jew
els for you to lose. And yet you are SO
ALFRED fond of diamonds and pearls and
things, that | thought OF a happy way to
crafty you without cOnsigning the entire
family to the poorhouse. You haven't
known the difference. and no one else has,
and all the time you have been wearing
clever imitation jewels. the sort that ac-
tresses sport, and the loss OF them hasn't
mattered much, don't you know
Needless to say Mrs. NJ was superb
y indignant and there was no end of do
nestle mix-up which | suspect will be
Strengthened out when Mrs. M returns
from Palm Beach and finds the really val
liable heart of diamonds Mr.. M has
waiting fer her as peace offering. Let US
The Washington times., 1902-04-13
a .,.1 n.,. -

Various devices had been resorted to in
order to obtain greater expression" upon
the keyed-string instruments. And it is
a remarkable fact coincidence that three
men in three different parts of the world;
Italy. France, and Germany, invented
about the same time an improved key
action, the hammer action. by which soft
and loud effects could be obtained upon
the instrument at the will of the per-
former.
These three men were an Italian. named
Bartolome Christofali. who exhibited his
improved hammer harpsichord in III; a
French harpsichord maker. named Ma
rius Ia character in one OF Dumas novels.
who mentions the circumstance, who
exhibited the Improvement in 1716.
and a German organist. named Christie
pher Schroter, who exhibited in III. The
Italian claimed the honor of the inyen-
ton but upon evidence which was brought
forward the three men were given equal
credit. as all three were working out the
same idea at the same time.
The Washington times., 1902-04-13
LOIE. PRESENTED /:
: TO NELLY CVSTIS:
BY GEORGE NASHINGToN

upon ground of pale green, with ara
besques, dozen monkeys were repre-
scented as giving a concert.
Upon the under side of the lid, inscribed
in letters of gold, were the words sic
transit gloria mundi." On that part of
the lid which turns back from the key
board was inscribed "Musca donum Del"
Handels execution upon the harpsichord
is said to have been marvellous. Public
singers were mortified to find ( at the
auditors were listening to Handel's ac
compartments rather than to them, and
a famous baritone is said to have stopped
in the middle of his song on account of it.
The Hammer Harpsichord.
Atlength we arrive at the hammer harp
schord, or piano. The object of CEN
turtles was accomplished when the quill,
the bristle, the thorn. the ivory tongue.
the leathern tongue were banished and the
small hammer was invented to strike the
strings and evoke clear. precise tone.
tone regulated by the force of the touch
upon the keys.
The Washington times., 1902-04-13

other thing and announced her intention
to go out for day of golf with her hus-
band. She wore a stunning new suit
and hat. and was easily the belle OF the
links. Alter the game husband and wife
returned TO the clubhouse just as the CO.
terie OF charming society women drove
up and gave their order for tea and
waffies.
Il am so glad they are here this after
noon" remarked the sanguine husband.
Wen go right over and help demolish
the usual tea and wafies. l know they
will be charmed TO meet YOU
Accordingly the youthful pair approach
ed the exclusive coterie. and introduce
lions followed. Something was the mat
ter with the atmosphere: they didn'; un-
derstand what until a servant announced
to the ladies' that tea and waffies were
served. and the exclusive coterie sailed
away to partake of delicate fesh-pots
without so much as an inviting glance at
the good looking man and his attractive
wife. The husband came CALAMITY to the
rescue when he remarked. Il guess you
were entirely too handsome to please
them my dear"
The Washington times., 1902-04-13

Sunday afternoon. after the shower. an
engagingly engrossed couple strolled
across Lafayette Park directly in front
of me. The man carried himself with
pride. and his figure belled his white hair.
The woman was 1.-THE, willowy. graceful,
and well gowned. They were arm in arm.
and in close conversation.
Suddenly the woman turned her head
and looked critically at her companions
hat. 1t was apparent she called his at
tention to a slight defect. for the man
Immediately settled 1t in new lines upon
his head. The woman dropped tne man S
arm and surveyed with care the latter's
smart Prince Albert coat. Believing no
eye specialist to be about, she grasped the
hem OF that immaculate garment and
gave it a quick little pull in the back.
The man laughed, the woman smiled. and
took her companions arm again: | put
up my lorgnon, and. behold, the man and
the woman were Senator and Mrs. Depew.
| admire Mrs. Depew immensely AMI
wish | could claim closer acquaintance
with her. a visit to her charming home
upon Thursday afternoon. and an occa-
slonal exchange of pleasantries at tea
or reception hasn't trodden down The
formal hedgerows. rs far as | am con-
cerned. | would like to repeat to Mrs.
Depew the story the Senator told us girls
years ago. when he visited a certain fash
ionable boarding school in New York.
The Senator said that he had once at
tended a girls college commencement
it was at Vassar | believe-and had there
talked with an interesting young student.
The Washington times., 1902-04-13
Did

A q luncheon the other day we were
u discussing the loss and the re-
covery of Mrs. Harriet Blaine
Beale's famous necklace, and one
woman remarked she had an awfully good
story up her sleeve concerning lost jewels,
ard. after proper amount OF urging and
told US the following:
You all know the reputation Mrs.
NJ has for carelessness and what a
mania she has for Jewels. Notwithstanding
the fact that she loses them systematic
ally every year. That woman actually
lost her cbamois skin bag of jewels over
board when she went TO Europe on her
wedding trip. She has gone Oh losing
things ever since. She never misses an
opportunity when it comes to leaving her
rings in Pullman car toilet room or
her diamond pendant under the mattress
at a hotel She has acquired the habit
of losing things and caHBot break her
self
For the first year or two. Mr.. NJ
took 1t rather hard that he had to keep
on buying rings and pins and all sorts
OF jewelry continually without any per-
ceptible increase in his wife's collection
1t was like pouring water into sieve.
But after few years he seemed to re-
gard his wife's carelessness as among
the ineyitables of life and continued buy
ing her Cumming things. to the wonder of
her friends. Mr.. M was certainly
well off; but 1t surprised even his wife
how easily the jewels came. though
must confess she went on losing things as
regularly as ever.
Now get down to late date in my
The Washington times., 1902-04-13

Charles Dibdin born 1T45. died 1910 has
the honor OF being the first public pianist.
But Clement was the first great artist
who established the confidence of the
musical world in the new instrument. He
was born in Rome. 1852. and died March
10. 1892. He was buried in Westminster
Abbey.
The portion of the collection illustrat-
ing the growth and development of that
monarch of passionate expression. the
violin. is fascinatingly interesting. AS is
doubtless well known, instruments more
or less corresponding to the violin have
been in use from very early times, AMI
their origin has been the subject of much
speculation. The Crwth of the Middle
Ages is the earliest form known.
An Improved instrument.
About the thirteenth century an i'm
proved instrument appeared in the south
of Europe, concurrently with that remark
able musical and literary movement which
is associated with the trou5adours. This
instrument was called "viole'' or ''yielle;"
The Washington times., 1902-04-13

vearer of the gown. He was a bit mys-
tilted to notice she was a decided blond.
because he entertained a shadowy notion
that his partner Of the dance was of dark
complexion. However. being certain Of
the gown. he broke forth into joyous con-
verse. and said:
so glad to meet you again. Miss -.
| haven't forgotten our charming dance
together or that particularly fetching
gown"
The face of the blond girl relaxed into
a smile as she said:
DO you really remember ne or the
gown. 1 am a bit curious to know
"oh. both" replied the young man,
confidently.
We'll. never in my life laid eyes on
you before this moment announced the
girl.
"Oh. come now" expostulated the young
man; ''you cant chaff me that way 1t
isn't likely l could forget that lavender
gown
But l am masqucrading in borrowed
hnery tonight. and the owner of this
gown is brunette while l am a blond.
may as we'll take you into the joke.
You see, l only returned today from a
visit South and my trunks haven't ar
rived. and l was booked for this dinner
and in no end of a pickle. Finally l
telephoned my friend. Miss -. who is
about my size and height. and begged
her to loan me dinner gown. She sent
over this lovely thing and here l am.
But. good gracious. do get somebody to
introduce us. II is positively horrible
the way l am talking to an entire
stranger"
Wasn't 1t a pretty little beginning?
And l saw the two aItomobiliDg too
gether In Woodley Lane yesterday.
The Washington times., 1902-04-13

" HERE are few collections in the Ma
tional Museum more attractive to
lovers OF music than that Illus
trating the evolution and devel-
opment CT musical instruments This col
lection occupies the cases lining both
walls of the main hall and comprises mu-
steal instruments of all descriptions. not
arranged geographically but according to
class. Here may be traced the develop
ment Of the modern violin, piano, and or
gan. those truly superb instrumen :,
through all their earlier forms and modi-
fications.
Antiquity of the Piano.
Take the piano. for instance. perhaps
the most popular of modern musical in
struments. The forerunners of the piano,
to be sure. can be traced back to the
oldest recorded life of man. But that
which distinguishes this charming instru-
ment from all other atringed instruments
is that the action of the strings is ma
nipulated by keyboard. The piano is =
keyed stringed instrument of which it is
generally asserted that. no trace can be
found anterior to the sixteenth century;
claimed. The clavier, or keyboard, was
invented at the close of the eleventh CEN
fury. but was applied only to the organ. a
wind instrument. A primitive organ of
about this period is an interesting fea-
ture of the collection.
The first stringed instrument to which
a keyboard was attached was the clyvicy-
therium, or keyed-cithera. The strings,
stretched in the form of a triangle, were
sounded by quilts attached in rude
manner to the end of the keys. 1t was
fitted into an obl0ng box, wa a lid. and
when closed resembled an old-fashioned
music box.
Little Known of Earlier Forms.
Very little is known of the earlier
forms of this instrument; it was super
seeded. even during the Middle Ages. by
the clavichord. According to tradition,
the clavichord was invented by the Ital-
ians about the year 1900, and was imi-
tated by the Belgians and Germans. The
clavichord, of which there are several
specimens in the collection, played an
important part in the history OF music
for several centuries. 1t contained all
the principles of the old-fashioned square
piano. namely:
4 stretched string as a medium OF tone
production.
A keyboard for manipulating the
strings.
A blow or stroke OF the finger upon the |
key caused the string to vibrate.
The Washington times., 1902-04-13

Is the raiment more than the body?
About a fortnight ago well-known
young man about town, whose sisters
have educated him in matters OF dress.
went to a dance ard met charming lit
tie brunette person, whom he favored
several times, and whose costume APP
pealed to his artistic soul. 1t was a filmy
creation of sweet lavender. with a water
color design in fieur-de-lis.
When he found himself next to a sweet
lavender gown painted in lilies the other
night at a dinner party. he took it for
granted that he was acquainted with the
The Washington times., 1902-04-13

When will men appreciate the fact that
as bachelors they are sometimes more
welcome to society than as benedicts?
A certain agreeable and good looking
man Il will not specify whether he is a
land or sea hero) took unto himself 4
very beautiful young wife about two
years ago. For the last six months the
wife has been rather exclusively con-
cerned with the details of the nursery
and her husband has taken refuge in golf.
Out at Chevy Chase he has lately chum-
med up with delightful little coterie OF
women who drive out to the coy club
house for afternoon tea and hot wafiles.
He has been immensely entertained and
has innocently related to his wife all
about the pleasant little symposium. an
the time when she would be a
party to them. One day last week the
pretty wife announced she would no
longer oversee the baby's bath, the baby's
nap. and the babys this, that. and the
The Washington times., 1902-04-13
PRIMITIVE
ORGAN

1t was narrowed in the waist for facility
in reaching the strings. and. modified and
developed for plucking. it became tho
Spanish guitar; for playing with tho
wheel, the hurdy-gurdy, and for bowling,
| the viol.
In the fifteenth century, there were
instruments to be played by the bow. OF
different sizes, corresponding to the va
| rious human voices. to which they were
designed as Accomplishments in the choirs
of churches.
The Original Violin.
The violin model. distinguished from
the earlier viol in having shallow sides.
| an arched instead of a fiat back, and
| square shoulders. and In being composed
in all its parts of curved or arched pieces
| of wood glued together in a state of Ten
| sion On the blocks. first appeared in Italy
/ toward the middle of the sixteenth CEN
/ tury. Unfortunately. there is no example
| of an "cld master"-one of those prod
ucts OF wonderful ingenuity upon which
| all violins have since been constructed
in the collection.
The violin. as it is today, is about three
| centuries old. OF all musical instruments
it is the only one which has survived IN
| changed throughout modern musical his
| tory. The lutes, so prominent in old
poetry and romance, and the musical uni
versal companions of bowed instruments
until a century and half ago. have dis
| appeared as completely as the spinet and
the haIpsichord
An Interesting Lutte.
Ore CT the NEST interesting lutes in
the collection is thai presented by George
Washington to Nellie Curtis. Over the
sound hole of this instrument. in ivory
scroll work, are carved the initials OF
the fair recipient.
All readers of romance of the Chill
dren of the Abbey and Mysteries of
Udolpho" character must feel an interest
in the lutte. the invariable solace OF the
distressed heroine, alone, in a moonlight
night, in some old castle. Indeed, ae-
cording to Mr.. Hawiey. the custodian Of
the collection, this instrument figures
more in poetry and romance than any
other. 1t is quite as large as guitar.
but with body shaped like that of
mandolin. 1t was very costly luxury in
its day. and all the specimens in the col
lection are of elegant workmanship.
Among the violins one is apt to over
look a small photograph of Paganinni's
violin, now preserved in the Museum of
Genoa 1t is interesting to speculate on
the nature of the unprecedented and IN
riyaled effects and tones evoked from this
silent little casket by the greatest OF all
musicians.
The Washington times., 1902-04-13
Attractive Collection in National Museum
Illustrating Development Of the Mod
ern Piano, ViOIin and Organ Through
EOrIicr Forms and Notifications.
Their History Nay Be Traced Beck
10 the Oldest Records of Nan. ~ ~

/ The evolution OF the piano is evidently
the growth of these three principles.
( The cIavichord was in general use during
/ the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries
l But in studying these precursors of the
piano, one is apt to pass by case de-
voted to the earliest exemplifcation Of
! the plane principle. This case contains
number of duicimers. In appearance
these Instruments are much like the
modern German either; the strings, how
ever, being struck with hammers. The
dulcimer was introduced into Medieval
Europe. about the time Of the Crusades.
from the East. 1t has been known in
Persia and Arabia for many centuries.
and readers of Coleridge will remember
its mention in "Kubla Khan"
at was an Abyssfnian maid.
And on her dulcimer she played,
Singing OF Mount Abora''
The Clavichords.
To return to the clavichords, It will be
recalled that the famous composer, John
Sebastian Bach, wrote music for every
known instrument in his day, but his i'm
mortal works. the "Fugues,' were writ
ten for the clavichord, and one of these
instruments formed part of the baggage
of Mozart wherever he journeyed In
shape the clavichord, in it's later forms,
resembles an old-fashioned square piano,
but very much smaller.
The next steps in the evolution of the
piano are the virginia. and spinet of which
there are specimens. respectively. These
did not supersede the clavichord, which
continued in use during the eighteenth
century but were undoubtedly improve
ments upon it.
The Spinet and virginia..
The spinet is triangular in form, resting
upon three legs. and has its wires carried
over bent bridge to modify the tone The
virginia. is apparently an Improvement
upon the clayichord, in having a string
for each note, and the treble notes guard
ed by bold. silver. and silk strings.
The virginia. was called a royal instru- |
ment, Henry VIII being one of its first |
patrons, and during the succeeding reigns |
of his children three virginia. players were |
retained at the English court. Queen |
Elizabeth was n famous performer, and |
some trace the name of the instrument to 1
the Virgin Queen, while others are in |
clined TO believe that the designation |
arose from its employment in converts in |
accompanying hymns to the Virgin.
The harpsichord, of which there is 2 |
beautiful specimen, decorated in green |
and gold, made by celebrated maker of |
The Washington times., 1902-04-13

hope deyoutedly she will not lose that
diamond heart or the lesson there's to be
found in the incident Of the sham pearl
earrings"
The Washington times., 1902-04-13

whose one particular craze was astron-
Omy. She dotted On stars. comets. and
eclipses and professed to lavish all h"-
young affections upon the moon. When
Mr. Depew suggested she might get ever
her love for the moon in the course Of
time. she gravely contradicted him and
replied: If ever come to love anything
better than the great effuigent lamp Of
night | will let you know" THE tempta
tion being too great to resist, I'll finish
the story in verse, with apologies 70
Senator Depew:
Twas one year later. many miles
These two friends did divide
When to Dcpcw a letter came.
Thus did the girl confde:
"i'Vc Conned the aspect OF the moon
From north. east, south, and west,
And learned OF all the moons there are.
The honey moons the best