1810. 
A CONCERT. 
21 
sional concert was all that the place could offer ; and considering that 
there were but few professed musicians in the orchestra, the perform- 
ance might be called very good. The leader of the band, a Dane, 
whose powers on the violin were far above mediocrity, gave us a con- 
certo on that instrument, and, on the same evening, another on the 
harp. These he played without any assistance whatever from written 
notes; an example of musical memory not very common. The 
principal parts were filled by the amateurs, all of whom were of 
the Dutch part of the community ; the French-horns, bassoons, and 
clarionets being supplied from the regimental bands. 
Whenever mention is made of the Dutch in a more general 
sense, that part of the population of Cape Town, or of the colony, 
not English, is intended ; since by far the greater proportion belongs 
to that nation ; and all those who are born in the colony speak that 
language, and call themselves Africaander^s, whether of Dutch, Ger- 
man, or French origin. 
It has been often remarked, whether justly or not, that the 
English have not that degree of taste and love for music, which 
several European nations regard as an ornament in their character : 
and it must be confessed, that, independently of professional persons, 
more real musicians are to be found among foreigners than among 
us. This, perhaps, should be attributed, not so much to our want of 
taste or feeling, as to our viewing music as an inferior kind of 
study. But we undervalue the importance of it ; and do not 
seem sufficiently aware that it possesses the power of improving the 
best feelings of the heart, and of calming, and even annihilating, 
many of the more turbulent passions of men. But to produce this 
effect, mere execution avails but little, without that expression and 
speaking intelligence, which can be given to it only by the fingers of 
sensibility. 
The present concert was entirely instrumental ; and the greater 
part of the audience were ladies. They were dressed extremely well, 
and quite in the English fashion ; and it would be thought by 
many, that, for personal beauty, they ought not easily to yield 
