As will be seen by a reference to the introductory chapters, in which the subject of music is separately considered, an attempt has been made not only to form by them a proper setting for the personal sketches that follow, but also to render the book entertaining to lovers of the art in general.

While grouping, as has here been done, the musical celebrities of a single race; while gathering from near and far these many fragments of musical history, and recording them in one book,—the writer yet earnestly disavows all motives of a distinctively clannish nature. But the haze of complexional prejudice has so much obscured the vision of many persons, that they cannot see (at least, there are many who affect not to see) that musical faculties, and power for their artistic development, are not in the exclusive possession of the fairer-skinned race, but are alike the beneficent gifts of the Creator to all his children. Besides, there are some well-meaning persons who have formed, for lack of the information which is here afforded, erroneous and unfavorable estimates of the art-capabilities of the colored race. In the hope, then, of contributing to the formation of a more just opinion, of inducing a cheerful admission of its existence, and of aiding to establish between both races relations of mutual respect and good feeling; of inspiring the people most concerned (if that be necessary) with a greater pride in their own achievements, and confidence in their own resources, as a basis for other and even greater acquirements, as a landmark, a partial guide, for a future and better chronicler; and, finally, as a sincere tribute to the winning power, the noble beauty, of music, a contemplation of whose own divine harmony should ever serve to promote harmony between man and man,—with these purposes in view, this humble volume is hopefully issued.

THE AUTHOR.

CONTENTS.

PAGE
A Description of Music[7-11]
The Music of Nature[12-21]
A Glance at the History of Music[22-50]
The Beauty, Power, and Uses of Music[51-65]
Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield (the "Black Swan")[66-87]
The Luca Family[88-105]
Henry F. Williams[106-113]
Justin Holland[114-130]
Thomas J. Bowers (the "American Mario")[131-137]
James Gloucester Demarest[138-140]
Thomas Greene Bethune ("Blind Tom")[141-159]
The Hyers Sisters[160-179]
Frederick Elliot Lewis[180-191]
Nellie E. Brown[192-208]
Samuel W. Jamieson[209-218]
Joseph White (preceded by a brief account of the Violin, pp. [219-223])[224-240]
The Colored American Opera Company[241-252]
The Jubilee Singers of Fisk University[253-269]
The Georgia Minstrels[270-282]
[PART SECOND.]
Introduction[285-288]
Rachel M. Washington[288-290]
James Caseras[300]
John T. Douglass[301]
Walter F. Craig[301]
William Appo[302]
William Brady[302-303]
Peter P. O'Fake[304-306]
Frank Johnson, and his Famous Military Band and Orchestra[306-309]
Joseph G. Anderson[308-309]
Madam Brown[309]
Sarah Sedgewick Bowers[309-310]
John Moore[310-311]
Samuel Lucas[312-313]
William H. Starr[314]
G.H.W. Stewart[330]
The Lambert Family[338-340]
Edmund Dédé[340-341]
Basile Barès[341]
Samuel Snaer[341-343]
Prof. A.P. Williams[343]
E.V. Macarty[343-344]
Maurice J.B. Doublet[344-345]
Dennis Auguste[345]
The Dupré Family[347-348]
Charles Martinez[348]
Thomas Martin[349]
Other Musical People of—
Portland (Me.)[300]
Boston[288-298]
Worcester[300]
New York[301-304]
Newark[306]
Philadelphia[306-311]
Pittsburgh[311]
Cleveland[311-312]
Washington (O.)[312-313]
Chillicothe (O.)[313-316]
Cincinnati[316-321]
Chicago[321-323]
The Music of the South[324-329]
Baltimore[329-330]
Louisville[330]
St. Louis[330]
Helena[330]
Memphis[331]
Nashville[331]
New Orleans[333-353]

ILLUSTRATIONS.

1. [Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield.]
2. [The Luca Family.]
3. [Henry F. Williams.]
4. [Justin Holland.]
5. [Thomas J. Bowers.]
6. [Thomas Greene Bethune.]
7. [The Hyers Sisters.]
8. [Frederick Elliot Lewis.]
9. [Nellie E. Brown.]
10. [Samuel W. Jamieson.]
11. [Joseph White.]
12. [Fisk University.]