234 Journal of the Asiatic Socvety of Bengal. (April, 1908. 
n France — is called “ nh ps ed ” and in Germany ** Maul 
trommel, ” “mund harmonica ’ ‘“‘Brummeisen,” 7.e., ‘ buzzing 
iron.’ 
The common idea is that it was called in English “ Jew’s 
harp,” because it was introduced by the Jews into England in 
the Middle Ages. Perhaps a slighting reference to David’s harp 
is implied. 
References to its value as an article of barter in the West 
Indies, in the 16th century, are found in Hakluyt’s Voyages. 
na letter taken in 1594 by Capt. George Popham (H akluyt’s s 
Voyages, III, p. 665) from one Alonso, a Spaniard, who had: 
written to his brother wae the new EL Hone. the fol- 
: he 
ee brought us as mber 
508 Sir Robert beak (Gatiupe V ages, II, p- 
576), aaa a report of his voyage to Orinoco and t e Berm udas, 
e eae l i 
have been a a to obtain from Assam and the extreme no iy 
of Burma, it should be remarked that generally it is as a seren 
ing instrument that the Jew’s harp is held in high secant 
among many of the aboriginal tribes . 
Breathing softly on their bamboo harps the young 1 men a 
dress love calls to the marriageable girls ; and as undesirable alii: 
ances not infrequently result, the missionaries in some Mericie 
have prohibited the use of the . Jew’s harp in their compoun 
and des 
the little village of Wicken, i in Cambridgeshire. 
And now there comes our village feast, 
On thirteenth of May of days the best, 
When out town folks bring in hii wares, 
And every peasant richly fare 
When sweetheartys sweeter — become 
_ And lads their Jew’s harps gaily thumb ; 
: Dust i is kicked up on the barn floor, 
Such dust no tasker raised before. 
