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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
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theory of wind instruments are described by
Ovid.
Again, mythology offers a candidate for musi-
cal honors in the person of that monstrosity,
the ubiquitous God of the Shepherds, Pan. The
incident of his first venture in mechanical con-
struction is interesting and ingenious. Syrinx
was a Naiad of Nonacris in Arcadia, devoted to
the service of Diana. As she was returning from
the chase one day Pan beheld her, but when he
addressed her she fled. The god pursued ; she
reached the river Ladon, and, unable to cross it,
implored the aid of her sister nymphs. So when
Pan thought to grasp the object of his pursuit,
he found his arms filled with reeds. While he
stood sighing in his disappointment, the wind
began to agitate the reeds and produced a low,
weird, musical sound.
The god took the hint, and, cutting off seven
of the reeds, fashioned the first organ, and went
dancing away, merrily forgetful of the failure
with Syrinx. The reason for his taking seven
pipes is suggested by '' surius,'' as similar to
the seven sounds of harmony in the heavens.
Many specimens of Hebrew, Assyrian and
Egyptian handiwork will be shown at the Fair.
This portion of the collection will be particularly
large, and certainly of great interest.
The British collection which is to be brought
to the Fair contains specimens of violins, and
other instruments of that family, from the rebec
to the most noted productions of the Cremona
artisans who flourished in the seventeenth cen-
tury. The rebec was undoubtedly the parent of
AN EGYPTIAN ORGAN.
the viol and violin, also of the once fashionable,
but now obsolete viol de gamba. The latter-day
violoncello is the offspring of the gamba.
The rebec is the originator of all of this class
of instruments, and is said to be of Arabic origin.
In general form it resembles the mandolin. It
had three strings, and emitted a sound both loud
and harsh. It was chiefly used, however, in
orchestral accompaniments to dancing.
The British collection also contains many rare
manuscript scores of famous composers, and
also many specimens of the harpsichord and
early pianofortes, including Lord Powers' court's
painted harpsichord ; the Queen's harpsichords,
one of which was Handel's. The Donaldson
collection of over forty objects, including the
very rare upright spinet (Claricy therium) and
David Rizzio's guitar, the Royal College of
Music's Indian instruments, the Queen's Orient-
al collection from Windsor Castle, Lord Tolle-
mache's Queen Elizabeth's lute, the Hill collec-
tion of violins, especially of the English school
of violin makers ; H. R. H. the Duke of Edin-
burgh's rare violins, an old Irish trumpet, Mr.
Norton's spinet, of rare interest; Mr. Tapkouse's
collection, instruments and manuscripts ; the
wind-instrument collections of Messrs. Bcosey
and Henry Carte, and the oldest piano in Eng-
land, from Messrs. Broadwood.
It is the desire of the Bureau of Music to trace
the development of the pianoforte. To this ob-
ject the Steinert collection lends especial aid.
Morris Steinert, of New Haven, Conn., has
spent a lifetime in gathering together specimens
of the clavichord, harpsichord, spinet and instru-
ments of that character. It is to America,
therefore, that the rarest collection of these
antique instruments belongs.
Mr. Steinert is now abroad, and has augment-
ed his possessions by purchasing a double-bank
Kirkman harpsichord and a Tschudi clavichord,
both of which will be sent to America.
Mr. Wilson will also try to obtain the flute
played upon by Washington, and the harpsi-
chord of Nellie Curtis, Washington's niece, both
of which are at Mount Vernon.—N. Y. Commer-
cial Advertiser, Sunday, Aug. 28.
J\)e ffeu; Styaiu paetory.
UNDER
THE FLAG OF PROTECTION.
there was quite a little celebra-
tion at the fine new building of the Shaw
Piano Company, at the corner of Twelfth and
Raspberry streets. There was a formal flag rais-
ing over the new building, conducted by the
officers of this very vigorous Erie company.
Congressman Griswold, president of the com-
pany, was present as master of ceremonies, and
his son, Matthew Griswold, treasurer of the
company ; H. J. Raymore, secretary ; Chas. F.
Reeps, superintendent, and R. M. Summers,
traveling salesman, were also participants in
the interesting ceremony of raising the flag over
the building.
It was significant in a number of ways. It
indicated that the institution was an American
one. Being an American manufactory it is pro-
tected by the American laws that protect all her
industries, so the protection flag is properly
placed above the institution it protects. Then,
as one of the members of the party re-
marked, the flag was more appropriately in po-
sition over the factory since it is to have pro-
tection from the elements by another recent
American institution. Its roof is of American
tin.
This calls to mind a story that Mr. Wm.
Hardwick related at the meeting of a few days
ago, at which Dr. Flood made his address to
Erie Republicans. He said that some time
back, when the McKinley act was still on its
passage and there was considerable discussion
about what it would accomplish for the United
States, a friend of his engaged him in argument
on the subject of making tin plate in America.
Mr. Hardwick had maintained that by the help
of the protection act tin would be made on this
side of the Atlantic. His friend argued that
such a thing was impossible, even with the
McKinley law to help it. That was all there
was of the matter at the time, but it chanced, a
few days previous to the date of the meeting
referred to, that a rain storm drove Mr. Hardwick
to seek shelter, which he found in the new fac-
tory of the Shaw Piano Company.
The same rain had driven his friend, who had
been a disputant with him on the subject of tin
plate, to seek shelter in the same building.
There they were, both finding shelter under
what the gentleman not so long before had pro-
nounced impossible. American tin plate was a
reality, as both parties to the debate knew from
their personal experience. " It struck me as a
remarkable thing, " said Mr. Hardwick, " that I
and this doubter should have such a practical
demonstration of the fact that the McKinley bill
does foster new industries and that tin plate is
not an impossibility in America. "
The new Shaw piano factory is one of the best
in the city and, seen from the hills away south
of Erie, it looms up as the most imposing figure
of the west end of the town. The main build-
ing is four stories high, substantially built of
brick, and although not ornate, is trim and neat
in appearance, and has a decidedly business
character.—Erie Daily Times.
JR. ANTONIN DVORAK is expected to
Gs*>~ sail for this country, to take charge of
the National Conservatory of Music, on the 17th
inst. His first appearance here in public will
be made at the new Music Hall, on November
21st, in an orchestral concert. He will conduct
a specially composed "Te Deum," which is
now being rehearsed under the direction of
Mr. Richard Henry Warren.
(T|iss
(ftary.
S BLANCHE GEARY comes from the
Royal Conservatoire of Brussels, and is
a member of the National Society of Professional
Musicians of Great Britain. This talented
young lady has come to New York city for the
purpose of giving instruction on the piano, and
organizing classes for solfege (theory and sight
singing) on the Brussels' system. Miss Geary
has many testimonials from prominent people
in this country and in Europe, among whom are
the Reverend E. Walpole Warren, Rector Church
of the Holy Trinity, Madison avenue and Forty-
second street, Frank H. Damrosch, and Auguste
Dupont, Superior Professor at the Royal Con-
servatoire, Brussels.
Bagpipes ii? a Qtyurel? S
f
HE band of the Royal Scots took part in a
military service recently held in York
Cathedral. A great sensation was created when
eight kilted Highlanders of the regiment—under
the leadership of Pipe-Major Matheson—played
a Highland " Lament " a s an integral part of
the anthem. The effect on the congregation is
described as '' infinitely touching and beauti-
ful."
True, at the first skirl of the pipes,
there was a tendency to smile, but it was '' in-
stantly subdued by the solemn and pathetic
wail, accompanied throughout by the soft roll
of the muffled drums."
AL,VARV, the tenor, says that it is just as easy
to sing Wagner's music as anybody else's, if
you can sing at all.
THE Australian music lovers declare that
Ovide Musin is the greatest violinist in the
world. His American season will open in
Brooklyn in October, and he is already booked
for 138 concerts in this country.
NINETEEN operas have been written about
Christopher Columbus.
THERE is a protest in London against the ex-
tortionate prices asked for music scores of Wag-
ner's works. You can buy " F a u s t " for fifty
cents, but the " Niebelung's Ring " costs $14.
That is because the copyright is held by Mrs.
Wagner, who is a frugal woman.