| Citation |
NYGWPB.764.137
20 Dec 1764:31 (1146)
Sir, The town has for some weeks past been entertain'd every
evening, with a kind of musick no less sonorous than that
which shook down the walls of Jericho. It does not indeed
proceed from rams horns, but from the shells of a sea animal
call'd a conch, perhaps the same that were used of old by
Triton the trumpeter of the God Neptune; and if we had lived
in an age or country of Heathenism, it might have been
supposed, that in compliment to this maritime town Neptune
had sent his said trumpeter, to serenade the ladies every
night: Or by way of specimen for the introduction of a
concert of musick of the same sort---for I observe that the
first trumpeter has continued his evening blasts till he has
called up a second, & they may be soon join'd by a third,
fourth, &c. till the band is as numerous as that which
surrounded Jericho; and may have very powerful effects, when
their united sounds are heard at once rattling thro' every
quarter of the city. I do not indeed believe that our walls
will be in much danger, but I think it may be worth while
for the magistrates to consider, whether the pleasure and
reputation the city may obtain by such an elegant
entertainment, will compensate for the accidental
inconveniencies that may attend it, with respect to several
inhabitants of the city; particularly to the ladies who
happen to be passing in chariots, &c. whose horses may be
frighten'd at the sound, and run away with them; to infants
who may be terrified into fits, and to sick people or those
who happen to have weak brains (of which number you may
reckon your humble servant) who may be greatly disturb'd or
disordered by it; as, for my own part, I confess that for
some time after I have been entertain'd with these
serenades, I generally do penance with an aching head---
However I think these ingenious artists deserve to be
noticed and encouraged by persons in authority; and tho' for
the reasons abovemention'd it may not be altogether proper
to trouble them any longer in performing in this city---Yet
they may be of excellent use in case of another Indian War,
when they may be sent in sufficient numbers, to sound their
Trumpets Marine in the wilderness, both to drown the yell of
the savages, and to terrify them with a sound more hideous.
|