12mo, 33, [3] pages, errata slip tipped in the rear. Frontis portrait. First edition.
"We have all heard its dissonant twang when touched by the rude finger of the school-boy, and even ears unmusical have turned away in aversion from its monotonous grumbling; but in Eulenstein's hands, the tongue of iron speaks with most soft and silvery voice, and pours forth its sweet and tender notes with such delicacy and taste, that at the close of some pathetic melody, the ear drinks in the dying sound with breathless attention, and continues to listen after the enchanter has ceased." An account, almost certainly from an unknown English author, of the life, education, and performances before the crowned heads of Europe of the German-born pastry chef turned Jew's harp virtuoso Eulenstein (1802-1890), who had made several tours of England while a resident there, here published to promote his career as a music teacher in violin, guitar and theory after his meteoric (if rocky) career of Jew's harp playing had destroyed his mouth: "But the crowning misfortune was yet in store. The iron of the Jew's harp had affected his teeth, and produced a general decay; but as yet he had felt no material inconvenience. One day, severe pain came on, and
continued for some time. During an interval of ease, he took up the
harp;--the first soft note was followed by excruciating torment. He made
a second trial, with the same result. A third,--he could not touch the
instrument on which he was unrivalled, on which his reputation and hopes
rested,--in the mastering of which he had spent so many anxious days,
and sleepless nights! He was in perfect horror; all seemed a blank
before him: and, debilitated as he was, he fell into absolute despair." Rinsing his mouth with a solution of camphor and water seems to have allowed him on occasion to take up his old instrument without undue pain, though clearly he was doing his utmost here to move off the stage and into private tuition. With numerous contemporary autograph ink corrections in the text, perhaps in the hand of the author or subject; traces on the original front past-down (covered by the new paste-down) of an early inscription.
Donated by Garrett Scott, Bookseller, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Condition:
Original rose cloth (neatly rebacked with a new matching spine and new paste-downs), printed yellow paper label to the upper board. Cloth somewhat faded; frontispiece foxed, with some offset to the prelims; a little general soiling.