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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
2 IO
GEORGE T. MCLAUGHLIN.
A NEW AND BRILLIANT STAR IN THE PIANO TRADE
CONSTELLATION.
T
HE trade and the public are to be congratulated
upon the placing of the name of George T. Mc-
Laughlin on the long and glorious roll of piano
manufacturers of the United States. Mr. McLaughlin's
record in connection with the New England Organ Co.
contains ample evidence of his ability and energy as a
man of business, and of his habit of well considering
the consequences of a step before taking it. It may be
taken for granted that his decision to join the brother-
hood of piano manufacturers is the result of long and
careful deliberation ; and it is equally to be relied upon
that in the new sphere he will reflect great credit upon
the trade. Mr. McLaughlin, as every one who knows
him will cheerfully testify, will not allow himself to be
assigned to a secondary position in regard to anything
he may undertake. His motto has always been "In
the van or nowhere." Consequently, he has refrained
from identifying himself with the piano manufacturing
industry until he has become persuaded that none but
the very highest grades and styles of instruments will
be produced under his auspices.
Fortune favors the brave. Especially does she fa-
vor the discreet brave. Both valor and discretion mark
the course of Mr. McLaughlin in his new venture. His
purchase of the plant and business of Woodward &
Brown was a wise, as well as a bold stroke, and was in
due time followed by another, in the making of which
' the fates seemed to smile upon his endeavors. True,
the purchase of the Woodward & Brown plant was cal-
culated to assist him in carrying out the desire to put a
splendid grade of piano on the market. The commence-
ment of operations, however, at first seemed barred on
account of the time and labor which, it was thought,
would be involved in the removal of the plant to con-
venient quarters. A circumstance of the most oppor-
tune character rendered practicable the immediate abo-
lition of this difficulty. Negotiations between the New
England Organ Co. and the firm of Lawrence & Son
were opened with the view of the acquisition by the
former of the factory and plant of the latter. This sec-
ond enterprise was quickly and satisfactorily completed,
with the result that all obstacles were removed, the
Lawrence factory being in a state of perfect equipment.
Thus, by dint of calm forethought, unsurpassed en-
ergy, and a judicious seizure of opportunities, Mr. Mc-
Laughlin has become the controlling power in a great
new concern. Further, the necessity of experimenting
for the production of a superior grade of piano is, by
the nature of the transactions above referred to, en-
tirely obviated ; for the high and unsullied reputation
of the Woodward & Brown and Lawrence & Son pi-
anos is a matter of common notoriety. Both makes of
instruments bear ample evidences of thoroughly scien-
tific, skilful and accurate construction, and both are
possessed of tone qualities of a high and notable order.
Good as they are, nevertheless, it will be the aim of Mr.
McLaughlin to improve them in every possible way,
and to watch their progress with a keen and jealous
eye. In this he will have the invaluable co-operation of
Mr. Arthur H. Lawrence, a gentleman in every way
fitted to strengthen the new enterprise.
As a distinctly music trade organ, THE MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW experiences especial pleasure in offering its
best wishes for the unqualified success of Mr. Mc-
Laughlin in his triple undertaking.
KIND WORDS.
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW, published by Bill & Bill,
New York, is just what the title indicates and is the best
publication of the kind in the country. Typographically
it is a model of neatness and excellence, while the read-
ing matter bears evidence of great care in preparation.
The enterprising proprietors are Lyme boys and are
well and favorably known in this vicinity.—Conn. Valley
Advertiser.
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW is the title of an inter-
esting publication issued by Bill & Bill, the junior mem-
ber of the firm being formerly a resident of this city.
The Christmas issue is especially attractive and must be
valuable to dealers, while there is much contained be-
tween the covers which will be read with profit by others.
—Fargo (Dak.) Argus.
THE HOMER D. BRONSON CO.'S FINE
ELECTRO-BRONZE WORK.
N
OTHING is more beautiful than the spectacle of
music marching hand in hand with the sister
arts. Of late, the painter and the carver have
applied themselves in the most commendable manner
to the embellishment of the exterior construction of
pianos and organs. We have great pleasure in calling
the attention of our readers to another form of art dec-
oration of musical instruments—one which strikes us
as being of the most refined and appropriate order, viz :
that of electro-bronze work for piano fronts, cabinet
work, or interior ornamentation. Some of the finest
designs in this kind of work are those conceived and
executed by the Homer D Bronson Co., of Beacon
Falls, Conn. This firm have forwarded to us a panel
design in electro-bronze, which for exquisiteness of
taste and superiority of workmanship seems almost
incapable of improvement. The centre space is occu-
pied by the figure of a recumbent female, surrounded
by floral work and with lyre at hand and listening
to chubby cherubs, who respectively manipulate vio-
lin and shepherd's pipe. Arborial borders impart to
the panel a finish of great beauty; and the general
effect of the whole is pastoral and placid to the last
degree. Original designs by architects and others are
worked up by the company, the demand for whose pro-
ductions has necessitated a recent increase in their man-
ufacturing facilities. The firm manufacture everything
in wronght brass, from the finest nickel plate to the
ordinary brass hinge. Their continuous piano hinges
are used by many prominent piano makers, and give
the utmost satisfaction. Three styles of these hinges
are being turned out. Others will be added as required
by customers. The Homer D. Bronson Co. are to be
congratulated upon having made a very successful for-
ward step in the art of piano decoration.
W. H. WILLIAMS, THE PROPRIETOR OF
THE ASTORIA VENEER MILLS.
ITH great pleasure we announce that Mr. W. H»
Williams, the former manager of the New
York and Louisville branches of the Astoria
Veneer Mills and Lumber Co., has purchased the entire
interest in the New York portion of that concern, to-
gether with a valuable and extensive stcck of figured
mahogany, figured ash, Circassian and French walnut,
and other elegant woods. No man is better acquainted
than Mr. Williams with the trade with which he has
identified himself. As manager, his career has been char-
acterized by a faithful application to duty, and by an effici-
ency all-satisfying to those to whom he was responsible.
In a very remarkable way, moreover, Mr. Williams al-
ways succeeded in winning the esteem and affection of
the workmen among whom his lot was cast. His ac-
cession to the foremost ranks of mercantile life is a
proper occasion for congratulating him upon his de-
served and notable success. That he will still further
advance in wealth, useful influence, and good repute, is
as certain as that the glorious orb of day will rise in
majesty to-morrow morning.
vocal music. The spokesman on the last mentioned oc-
casion complimented thedistinguished leader by singing,
at the conclusion of his oration, " John Anderson my
Jo," to which the hero of the hour responded with
" The Watch on the Rhine." Beakers of the finest Ger-
man beverages, (of which Mr. Anderson is considered
a brilliant critic) were quaffed with great gusto at both
celebrations, and the friendship between the leader and
the led was tightly cemented. We may here mention
that Mr. Anderson is also distinguished as an organist.
He is much respected by all who know him, and especi-
ally by the renowned piano firm of Calenberg & Vau-
pel, whose establishment has been under his manage-
ment for a dozen vears.
AMBITIOUS FOR OPERATIC LAURELS.
ERE is literally the answer of a young man in
Durham to a London manager who adver-
tised for a baritone for grand opera.
" DEAR SIR—I see you are advertising for a singer or
two so I take the opertunity of writing I may tell you
I am a most splendid Baritone or high set voice either
I have comand of two voices I cand gow down to G
but I am more better at Hight. I sing some songs in
c and some in F but I get nearly any Hight there has
been a few Gentleman of late heard me sing and they
seeam all to say I am fullish for not to try and get into
an opery I have had. some practice a chorus singend
but T have not a first-class understanding of the music
but it would soon come to me if you could only try and
have a place for me I would not look for mutch pay
for awhile if we could mannidge to live I would be ever
so mutch oblige I have such a notion of opery singing
I cannot send my foto as I have not one at presand but
if you like I will get on and send this week my Hight is
5 ft. 7 stout dark and I may say I am a joiner and
1 would willingly help the carpenter or anything for a
while or help with Baggidge you might think about it
for me and I can reach F nicely I sing I drent I dwelt
in its original kee you might let me know please I will
join for a small sum to get into it your obedient ser-
vent."—London, Eng., Pall Mall Gazette.
H
W
A CAT IN AN ORGAN.
HE JUMPED OUT JUST AS THE RECTOR WAS IN THE
MIDDLE OK THE BENEDICTION.
T
HERE has been a mystery about the large pipe
organ at St. Paul's Cathedral, Syracuse, N. Y.-
for a week. Whenever H. R. Fuller, the organ-
ist, touched the keys, weird noises were heard in the
interior.
There was a large attendance at the morning service
recently. The Rev. Dr. Lockwood was in the middle
of the benediction when a large, wild-looking maltese
cat made a flying leap over the head of the organist
and landed near W. J. West, a member of the choir,
fastening its claws in his knee. Before the cat could be
seized it was half way down the side aisle. A gentle-
man in the rear tried to catch it but only succeeded in
making it double in its tracks and go rushing up the
main aisle straight for Dr. Lockwood. The worthy
rsctor lost his place in the prayer as he caught sight of
S. J. ANDERSON HONORED.
the wild-eyed cat rapidly approaching. The cat did not
pause, but rushed between the feet of the excited chorus
USICIANS, as a class, have an unenviable repu- boys. A few seconds later and the cat was back again
tation for being ridiculously sensitive and in its old quarters in the organ. It was some time be-
foolishly jealous. Sufficient attention, how- fore the interrupted service could be resumed.
ever, is not given to the reverse side of the medal. Sen-
An investigation showed that the cat had made her
sitive to injuries real or imaginary as are the disciples home in the organ and had broken several of the smaller
of Apollo, they are equally quick to appreciate with
" trackers." The ecclesiastical authorities have made
lively gratitude any friendly or considerate act. An in-
every effort to capture the cat, but without success.
stance of this occurred on Christmas Day, when the
Euterpe Gesangverein met for the purpose of present-
ing Mr. S. J. Anderson, with Calenberg Vaupel, their
PATENTS AND INVENTIONS.
esteemed and able leader during the past five months,
with a token of their appreciation of his merits and his
Music rack for band instruments, No. 394,856, W. L.
valued services to their organization. The gift was in the Henricks.
form of a handsome and costly gold-headed cane. Speech-
Mechanical musical instruments, No. 394,794, F. Stone.
es in English and German were made by various members
Music rack, No. 394,986, G. R. Lampard.
of the Gesangverein, to which Mr Anderson replied in
Musical indicator, No. 395,067, J. Maggs.
his well-known humorous and graceful manner. This
Piano action, No. 395,078, J. C. Price.
was not the first occasion upon which his Teutonic
Piano attachment, No. 395,029, F. J. Bluthner, Jr.
friends and admirers have honored Mr. Anderson. Last
Pin for balance rail in piano, No. 395,264, W. A.
summer, during the Sangerfest at Hazleton, Pa., he
was publically called out before the six participating Church.
M
German singing societies, and congratulated upon the
success of his efforts in advancing the cause of German
MR. JAMES M. CUMSTON. of Boston, was an object of
admiration in this city on Monday last.