196 



EXPRESSION IN MUSIC. 



flying from window to window, and men with strange, uncouth- 

 looking boxes, carried up stairs under the particular direction of Mr. 

 Peregrine Peascod. The professor had exerted himself most dili- 

 gently to secure a good and expressive number of performers for the 

 forthcoming musical soiree. There was IMr. Crook, the leader of 

 the Shipney Church choir, on the clarinet ; Miss Tibbs on the piano 

 forte ; Master Plunkett on the triangle ; Bob Salter on the drum, 

 Jew's-harp, and ram's-horn ; Peregrine Peascod, leader, on the vi- 

 olin ; with the fortunate assistance of two itinerant musicians, one 

 on the Pandean pipes, the other, a six-feet-two consumptive-look- 

 ing man, to shake a cap and bells. The band was thought most 

 complete, and from the morning rehearsals great things were ex- 

 pected. The evening drew on; the performers were stationed. 

 Peregrine in front, the clarinet at one end of the room, the drum, 

 Jew's-harp, and ram's-horn at the other end. Miss Tibbs behind the 

 leader, and the triangle stood by Miss Tibbs, to accompany her in 

 " Those Evening Bells." The itinerants were placed behind a screen 

 near the door, where also the refection was laid out. The happy 

 hour arrived ; the ladies, dressed out quite smart, took their seats 

 in a circle round the room. Dr. Mellitung prepared a short address 

 on the Expression of Music, which he understood was the highest 

 perfection of the science, that tones should be brought to as near a 

 resemblance as possible of the thing expressed, that the sacrifice 

 of melody was nothing compared to the natural illustration of 

 either sounds, persons, or events; Professor Peregrine confirmed 

 the Dr.'s harangue, when Bob Salter here sounded a blast upon 

 his ram's-horn, and begged the ladies to observe that the ram's- 

 horn was not only the most ancient but most powerful instrument, 

 since it had even blown down the walls of Jericho itself. 



Peregrine then opened the concert by playing a little song, which 

 he had composed for the occasion, in honour of Miss Tibbs, begin- 

 ning with "Chaste Diana," to the tune of LillabuUero. Being 

 finished they expressed their approbation most eagerly. The next 

 piece was variations on the celebrated air of " Borborigmus" (by 

 Squatz) on the clarionet. It is said that Mr. Crook lost his 

 puff, though it was followed by much praise. The professor next 

 gave an imitation of silence on the back of his violin, which was so 

 much liked that he repeated it. " What a nice fiddle I" whimpered 

 the eldest Miss Trumps. Peregrine smiled, and observed that it was 

 a real Straduarias ; Miss Verismall begged to see it, for she declared 

 she had never seen a gregarious fiddle before. Miss Tibbs then sang 

 the ** Minuet in Ariadne" to her own accompaniment. Delightful, 



