The Musical Instrument.
Characters:
- Aunt Tabitha.
- Laura.
A. T. Thy grandmother, child, thy grandmother used to play upon a much better instrument than thine.
L. Indeed; how could it have been better? You know a piano is the most fashionable instrument, and is used by everybody that is anything.
A. T. Thy grandmother was something, yet she never saw a piano-forte.
L. But what was the name of the instrument? Had it strings, and was it played by the hand?
A. T. You must give me time to recollect the name. It was, indeed, a stringed instrument, and was played with the hand.
L. By the hands alone? How vulgar! But I should really like to see one, and papa must buy me one when I return to the city. Do you think we can obtain one?
A. T. No; you probably will not obtain one there; but, doubtless, they may be found in some of the country towns.
L. How many strings had it? Must one play with both hands? And could one play the double-bass?
A. T. I know not whether it would play the double-bass, as you call it; but it was played with both hands, and had two strings.
L. Two strings only? Surely you are jesting! How could good music be procured from such an instrument, when the piano has two or three hundred?
A. T. Oh, the strings were very long, one of them about fourteen feet, and the other may be lengthened at pleasure, even to fifty feet or more.
L. What a prodigious deal of room it must take up! But no matter. I will have mine in the old hall, and papa may have an addition built to it, for he says I shall never want for anything, and so does mamma. But what kind of sound did it make? Were the strings struck with little mallets, like the piano? or were they snapped like a harp?
A. T. Like neither of those instruments, as I recollect; but it produced a soft kind of humming music, and was peculiarly agreeable to the husband and relations of the performer.
L. Oh, as to pleasing one’s husband or relations, you know that is altogether vulgar in fashionable society. But I am determined to have one, at any rate. Was it easily learned? and was it taught by French and Italian masters?
A. T. It was easily learned, but taught neither by Frenchmen nor Italians.
L. Can you not possibly remember the name? How shall we know what to inquire for?
A. T. Yes. I do now remember the name, and you must inquire for a Spinning-wheel.