Musical Myths and Facts, Volume 2 (of 2)

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Engel Carl. Musical Myths and Facts, Volume 2 (of 2)

MATTHESON ON HANDEL

DIABOLIC MUSIC

THE AWFUL DECEPTION

THE INDEFATIGABLE FIDDLER

THE EFFECTUAL EXPEDIENT

THE OLD CHORALE

THE HAUNTED MANSION

THE MODE ASBEIN

WITCHES

THE CHANGELING

THE VENDISH SORCERER

THE RAT-CATCHER OF HAMELN

THE EXQUISITE ORGAN

ROYAL MUSICIANS

COMPOSERS AND PRACTICAL MEN

MUSIC AND MEDICINE

POPULAR STORIES WITH MUSICAL TRADITIONS

THE ROYAL MUSIC-MASTER

THE HANDSOME MINSTREL

THE DAISY LADY

THE INVISIBLE FLUTE-PLAYER

THE BANISHED MUSICIAN

THE WALRIDERSKE

THE JEW IN THE THICKET

THE POPE'S WIFE

THE TWO HUNCHBACKS

THE PARSON'S ADVICE

RELICS OF THE GOBLINS

THE GOLDEN HARVEST

GIPSIES

THE NAUTCH-PEOPLE

THE MONK OF AFFLIGHEM

THE PLAGUE IN GOLDBERG

FICTIONS AND FACTS

DRAMATIC MUSIC OF UNCIVILIZED RACES

A SHORT SURVEY OF THE HISTORY OF MUSIC

CHRONOLOGY OF THE HISTORY OF MUSIC

THE MUSICAL SCALES IN USE AT THE PRESENT DAY

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It is a suggestive fact that those spirits of the mountains, rivers, and of lonely places, which delight in music and dancing, are, according to popular tradition, generally well-intentioned and harmless creatures. Sometimes, however, a very evil-disposed spirit resorts to these arts for the purpose of accomplishing some wicked design. A few stories from different countries which illustrate the superstitious notions on the subject will be given here. Although the stories are still in the mouth of the people, it can hardly be said that they are still really believed, at least not in European countries. But there are always ignorant persons who half believe whatever appeals forcibly to their imagination.

At Arfeld, a small village in Germany, a number of young lads and lasses were assembled one winter evening in a warm and comfortable room, the girls spinning and singing, as they usually do on these occasions.

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About the time when the boy was six years old, the farmer of the village, by whom Mick Flanigan was employed as day labourer, had various mischances with his cattle. Two of his cows lost their appetite, and gave little or no milk. A very promising calf stumbled, and broke both its hind legs. And shortly afterwards one of his best horses suddenly got the colic and died in no time. The people in the village had long since settled among themselves that there was something not right in Mick Flanigan's family; so it naturally occurred to the farmer that the imp with the bagpipe must be the cause of all his misfortunes. He therefore thought it wise to give warning at once to Mick Flanigan, and to advise him to look out for work elsewhere. Fortunately, poor Mick Flanigan soon succeeded in getting employment at a farmer's, a few miles off, who was in want of a ploughman.

On the appointed day the new master sent a cart to fetch the few articles of furniture which Mick Flanigan could call his own. Having placed the cradle with the boy and his bagpipe at the top, the whole family drove off to their new home. When they had got about half the way, they had to cross a river. Slowly they drove upon the rickety bridge, little anticipating the exciting scene which now occurred. The boy had hitherto remained very quiet in the cradle, apparently half asleep as usual. But, just when the cart had reached the middle of the bridge, he raised his head, looked wistfully at the water, and then suddenly grasping his bagpipe he jumped down into the river.

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