OCR Text |
Show Ascfect JIurieal lastroiMitn. In the Metropolitan Museum of Art In New York city there is an interesting collection of musisal instruments of all nations, many of which belong to past enturies. They lie 6ilently in the glssa cases. The strings of mandolins and Intes that made sweet murio in daB gone by are broken and twisted, and the fingers that once swept them have passed away, but still the air seema trembling with melody. Imagination pictures the banquet hall, the summer nights when the troubadour sang songs tnder his ladylove's window, or the Bedouin camp in the desert, where th6 flute and guitar were played during ht evening houi of repose. There are in itruments here of all characters rude riolins and banjos fashioned by savage hands, and dainty lyres inlaid with gold uid mother of pearl, instruments which have played their part in ancient cere monies in faraway India and China, in the castles of the middle ages and in the African wilderness. It is interesting to note that all nations have tried to make Instruments to please the eye as well as to produce sweet sounds. The stringed Instruments and flutes of savage races are often grotesque and even ugly civilized eyes, but the poor savage did nis best He carved his instruments as well as he could and also adorned it with whatever precious trinkets he had m his possession. H. S. Conent ia 84 Nicholas |