SCOTCHMEN AND SCOTCH MUSIC.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 10, 12 January 1867, Page 3

SCOTCHMEN AND SCOTCH MUSIC.

A gentleman who was a first-rat^ performer of Scotch music on the violin, spent a winter at Exeter, and of course soon became acquainted with the musical dilletanti of that place. Dining one day with a professor, the conversation turned upon Scottish music, and a strong argument arose as to its bearing competition with foreign music; the Scotchman, whom we shall for the present designate the Fiddler, insisted that, when properly played, nothing could excel it ; the Professor, on the other hand, insisted that it was only fiit for the barn -yard. " I'll tell you what," said the Fiddler, I'll lay a wager of £5 that if a party of Scotchmen can be got together, I'll make them shed tears one minute, sing the next, and dance the third." "Done," said the Professor, "and if your music is capable of that, I will not only pay you the £5 with pleasure, but will be convinced that it is the most enlivening, pathetic, and best music in the world." The difficulty arose as to getting an opportunity for a trial. But this was soon obviated by a third party informing them that a number of young Scotchmen dined annually at the old London Hotel, on the anniversary of Burns' birthday. This was a capital opportunity for the Fiddler ; for these young men, being principally rawboned, over-grown Scotch lads, who had recently left their own country to carry tea in the neighborhood, were the very ones upon whom he was sure to make a hit. All being now arranged, and the utmost secrecy being agreed upon, the eventful day was anxiously looked for. At length it came, and the fiddler and professor, by an introduction to one of the party, got an invitation to the dinner. There were twelve altogether sat down, and a right merry party they soon became; for the whisky toddy was net spared when the memory of any of Scotia's bards was toasted. The Fiddler was not long in perceiving that he had got among a right musical set, and he waited patiently till they were fit for anything. At length he gave a wink to the Professor, who at once proposed that his friend should favor them with a Scotch tune on the violin. " Capital ! capital ! " cried the whole party. The violin was brought, and all were in breathless anxiety. The Fiddler chose for his first tune, "Here's a health to them that's awa," and played it in the most solemn and pathetic manner. "That's a waefu' tune," said a great, big, raAvboued youth to his next neighbour. "It is that, said Sandy. There's meikle in that tune, man. It reminds me o' ane that's gane. Jamie," and at the same time giving a deep sigh, and drawing his baud over his long, gaunt face to hide the tears which were trickling down his cheeks. The Fiddler with his keen eye soon perceived that before he got through with the second part of the tune he would havs them all in the same mood. He therefore threw his whole soul into the instrument, played the tune as he had never done before ; aud as the last four bars of the tune died away like a distant echo, there was not a dry cheek amongst the company. Now is the time thought the Fiddler ; aud without stopping a moment, struck up in a bold aud vigorous style, ""Willie brewed a peck o' maut." Out went the handkerchiefs, and away went the tears. "Chorus !" cried the Fiddler, and in an instant all struck up Eor we're nae.fou,' we're nae that fou', But just a drappie in our e'e : The cock may craw, the day may daw, But aye we'll taste the barley bree." The song was ended, but up struck the Fiddler in his best style, the reel of "Jenny dang the Weaver. " Hey, ye devils !" cried Sandy. " Out ran the affrighted Professor, (for he did not know what might come next), up came the landlady with her terrified train of inmates. But none dare enter the room, the hurras and the thumps on the fioor being so boisterous ; and it was only upon the entry of a Scotch traveller, who had just arrived, and cried to the Fiddler for any sake to stop, that order was restored. It is needless to say that the Professor paid his bet cheerfully and was fully convinced of the effect of Scotch music when properly played, and that the landlady took care the Fiddler never came into her house again on Burns' anniversary dinjoer.