1812. 
A BACHAPIN CONCERT, AND DANCE. 
411 
were most likely to have produced discords, were rejected from this 
band. Between the highest and lowest pipe, there might, I imagined, 
be comprised an interval of twelve notes. 
I saw no other instrument but the lichaka ; nor were these used 
by any but the dancers themselves, each of whom was furnished with 
one; and which he sounded frequently though irregularly. In this 
music I could discover no particular air ; neither was it possible for 
me to write it down ; as many notes were heard at the same time, 
joining in, perhaps merely accidentally, or without any preconcerted 
order. It must not, from these remarks, be concluded that this people 
are insensible to harmony and melody : a sufficient proof to the 
contrary will be found in another place. By the dancers keeping 
time in their movements, a certain cadence was now and then 
perceptible in their music ; but, excepting this, no regularity could 
be distinguished in their performance ; although I doubt not that 
their ear guided them in some manner, as the general effect of 
this music was pleasing and harmonious. It was not of a sprightly 
cast, nor noisy, neither was it sluggish or heavy ; but possessed some- 
thing agreeably soothing, which prevented it, though continued with 
little intermission for ten hours, from wearying the ear. As there 
was in it no particular tune to be listened to, it seldom obtruded 
itself with a force which could distract the attention from other 
subjects. The effect of this concert, considered abstractly as musical 
sound, was very similar to that which in England may be felt on 
hearing, while at a little distance, the country-waggons passing along 
the road with a full team of well-tuned ' latten bells than which, 
few mixtures of sounds not constituting regular music, can, I think, 
be more pleasing. 
When the dancers, who were all men, had tuned their reeds, they 
formed themselves into a ring, which sometimes consisted of about 
thirty persons, and at others, of not more than ten or twelve, accord- 
ing to the inclination of those who joined or left the party ; but 
without attention to any observable order, or to any pre-arranged 
figure. The ring was drawn as closely together as their number 
would conveniently allow ; but each person danced separate without 
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