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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
Chinese Musical Instruments.
"TV
S H E Chinese wind instruments are fewer in
-C' number than those of percussion, says
Cassell 's History of Music. The oldest of these,
the Hiuen, is in the shape of an egg. It is made
of earthenware, open on one side, with five vent-
ages, which give the five tones of the oldest
Chinese scale.
Speaking relatively, the most elaborate of
Chinese wind instruments is the Cheng. It is
the most pleasing of their instruments and
serves as a standard to tune other instruments.
It has for its basis a hollowed out pumpkin,
which serves the purpose of a wind receptacle,
in which are twelve to twenty-four bamboo reeds,
placed closely together in a circle. The per-
former blows into the curved cylinder, opening
and closing the ventages with his fingers.
Among their instruments of the flute type men-
tion should be made of the Yo, which is played
from the top like a clarionet; and the Tsche,
played like the modern flute. They also possess
the pan pipes, called Siao. Their martial instru-
ments include various trumpets with funnel or
knob shaped bells. Their orchestra is but sparsely
recruited with stringed instruments of their own
invention, for the mandolins and guitars which
they use are more probably of Persian or Hindoo
than of Chinese origin. The only Chinese
stringed instruments are the Kin and the Che—
the former, a very primitive guitar, of pear
shape, usually strung with four strings and
having inside it some metallic bells, which make
a clanging accompaniment to the sound of its
strings, while the Che, literally translated '' the
wonderful," is a table psaltery, nine feet in
length, containing twenty-five strings. Both
are evidently of great antiquity, and are said to
have been invented by Fo-Hi, but musically the
Che is the most important.
JACOB BROS, the well-known piano manufac-
turers, are making several additions to meet the
increasing demand for their popular piano. They
recently bought out Newby & Evans' warerooms,
1041 Broadway, Brooklyn, and have refitted the
place throughout. It will prove quite an acqui-
sition to their present store at 195 Broadway.
The same policy will be pursued at the branch
which has proved so successful at the downtown
store. They will keep constantly on hand a
large stock of pianos and organs to select from,
which will be sold on such easy terms that every-
body may have music in their homes. They
will also carry an unexcelled line of musical
merchandise, including all the latest sheet music.
Mr. Hess, formerly manager for Newby & Evans,
will act in the same capacity for Jacob Bros.
This enterprising firm has opened a store in
Flushing under very promising circumstances,
and are erecting a large factory in New York
city, which for solidity of construction and com-
pleteness of detail has few equals.—N. Y. Re-
corder, June 3d.
C. H. STONE, who has been managing the
Hale Piano Estate, is about to wind up that
business. The profits of late have not been
satisfying to the heirs, and Mr. Stone is of the
opinion that he can devote his talents in a better
paying occupation. It is intended to rent out
the building.
Type."
* * * *
RUSSELL
(Successors to STARK & STRACK.)
PIANOS
MANUFACTURED BY
Kos. 171 and 173 South Canal Street,
CHICAGO.
THE
Sterling Company,
Contemporary Journalism.—First Newspaper
Reader : What is your paper ?
Second Newspaper Reader—The Firmament.
First Newspaper Reader—It won't compare
with the Solar System.
First N. R.—Bah ! The Solar didn't give a n y
details about Peffer's whiskers being trimmed.
Second N. R.—Yes, but it announced exclu-
sively Gresham's Turkish bath last night.—Life.
In the beginning, Mr. Theophilus L. Glob-
ster made a present of $25 worth of toys to the
orphan asylum.
And the Daily Bugle credited the kind deed
to Theodore Globster.
And the Evening Radiator gave the honor to
Thomas Gloster.
And the Semi- Weekly Eaglet gave great praise
to " o u r esteemed lellow citizen, Mr. T. G.
Lobster.''
It came to pass that Mr. Globster read the
Bugle, the Radiator and the Eaglet, and saw
what liberties had been taken with his hitherto
untarnished name.
And in his righteous wrath and mortification
he sought the illusory consolation of the bowl,
and waxed uproarious and bellicose, until the
law's minions were compelled to confine him for
a time, and in due course he was adjudged ot
the cadi.
And the Bugle, the Evening Radiator and
even the Semi- Weekly Eaglet announced with a
unanimity of correctness:
"Theophilus L. Globster, drunk and dis-
orderly, $10.95. "—In6\ana])o]'\s
Journal.
CROWN PIANOS.
If Mozart and Betthoven too,
Upon the harpsichord could play,
The mystic harmonies that hold,
O'er hearts and lives of men full sway.
MANUFACTURERS OF
Pianos and Organs,
FACTORY :
.
DERBY, CONN.
It is admitted by all that no piano ever put upon the
market has met with such success as THE STERLING
and thousands will testify to their superiority of work-
manship and durability. Why ? Recause they are made
jusl as perfect as a piano can be made.
THE STERLING ORGAN has always taken the lead, and
the improvements made this year puts it far ahead ol
all others. B8T Send for Catalogue.
Halleti Davis Pianos
Believe you not, that music's might,
A greater charm round life could throw,
If in this century they'd lived,
And the " Crown " instruments could know.
Their easy touch and mellow tone,
Would give to genius greater power,
Enhance the worth of classic gems,
And leave in music greater dower.
Their beauty makes the player glad,
And pleases eye as well as ear,
Their melody, all unsurpassed,
Like Orpheus' lyre or Pan's pipe clear.
Holds all entranced : in every part,
Perfection's acme, claims renown,
The highest pinnacle of fame,
Belongs forever to the " Crown."
GRAND, SQUARE AND UPRIGHT.
Indorsed by Liszt, Gottschalk, Wehli, Bendel, Straus, Soro, Abt,
Paulus, Titiens, Heilbron and Germany's Greatest Masters.
Established over Half a Century.
BOSTON, MASS.