Part 11 (2/2)

The little ripple of excitement caused by Mr. Williams's appearance among the musicians of the Jubilee might well have provoked from that gentleman a smile of contempt; for he was a far older and much more skilful performer than many who at first objected to playing with him.

He had, indeed, more than thirty years of musical experience behind him,--years which were full of manly, persevering struggle against great odds, and years during which he had many times triumphed over opposition far greater than that met by him at the Coliseum. Born in Boston Aug. 13, 1813, beginning his studies when but seven years of age, he had, mainly by his own efforts (he is in the truest sense a ”self-made man”), become a thorough musician; was a superior performer on the violin, double-ba.s.s, and the cornet; a fair performer on the viola, violoncello, baritone, trombone, tuba, and piano-forte; having been besides for years an esteemed teacher of most of these instruments. Nor did his musical powers stop here; for in addition to being a skilful arranger of music for the instruments just mentioned, and others, he was a composer, many of whose works bore the imprint of several of the most eminent music publishers of the day. Learning these facts, no wonder that those who at first opposed Mr. Williams's entrance into the grand orchestra (these persons, by the way, were not residents of Boston, but came from the West and South) afterwards were ashamed of their foolish prejudices, and became his warm admirers.

Mr. Williams, as an instrumentalist, devotes himself especially to the violin and the cornet. Upon these he executes in a superior manner the finest music of the day. Possessing fine natural talents, of great versatility, and of long study and experience, he is enabled to play any kind of music; pa.s.sing with the utmost ease from the ”light fantastic” of the dance to the grave and profound of the old masters: in either kind he is always noticeable for the finish and tastefulness of his performance. He has given much of his time to the formation and instruction of military bands, frequently arranging and composing music for them. In the former capacity--that of arranging music--he has often been employed by P.S. Gilmore, director of the celebrated Gilmore's Band, and projector of the two great Peace Jubilees. He was at one time connected with the famous ”Frank Johnson's band” of Philadelphia, and of several others in the West, travelling extensively, and giving instruction in music. A short while ago, the manager of the Boston Cadet Band--successors of Gilmore's--showed me a quickstep in ma.n.u.script, of the merits of which he spoke very highly, composed by Mr. Williams for the first-mentioned band.

The following is only a partial list of the many songs (words as well as the music his own) of which our subject is the author:--

”Lauriette,” [Transcriber's Note: 'Lauriett' in the Appendix]

published by Firth & Pond, New York, 1840; ”Come, Love, and list awhile,” published by Pond & Hall, New York, 1842; ”It was by Chance we met,” published by O. Ditson & Co., Boston, 1866; ”I would I'd never met Thee,” published by O. Ditson & Co., Boston, 1876.

Of the above, ”Lauriette” had a large sale, the _publishers_ realizing a considerable profit from the same. In 1854 O. Ditson & Co. published his ”Parisien [Transcriber's Note: 'Parisian' in the Appendix]

Waltzes.” These are a set in five numbers, with a fine introduction, and containing some very bright and sweetly-flowing melodies. These waltzes had a good sale, and added much to the composer's reputation.

Besides the above, Mr. Williams has composed eight or ten polka-redowas, and several mazurkas and quadrilles (some of these have been published); and he is the author of several overtures.

Early in his career he composed an anthem which was much praised by persons of musical judgment. At that time so greatly was the judgment of people affected by color-prejudice, that many persons doubted the ability of one of his race to create a work so meritorious as the one just mentioned. They were, however, soon compelled to admit that Mr.

Williams was the talented author of it.

Lowell Mason, the eminent composer of sacred music, was one of those who at first entertained doubts as to the authors.h.i.+p of the anthem; and he, like the others, finally yielded to stubborn facts. Moreover, becoming acquainted with our subject, and learning more of his fine abilities as a musician, Mr. Mason remarked that it was a pity one so talented should be kept down merely on account of the color of his face. I am sorry to say, nevertheless, that this gentleman could rise no higher above the common level of that day than to advise Mr.

Williams to go to Liberia. Had Mr. Mason, who was so original and bold in music, been only half as bold in creating a sensible, a humane public sentiment; had he, as he looked with pity upon this gifted and devoted young musician struggling against the ign.o.ble spirit of caste to gain a place in art, thrown his great influence on the side of what he confessed was right; and had he, instead of advising Mr. Williams to _bury_ himself in Africa, declared that the latter should have an equal chance with others in _this_ country in developing his musical powers,--had Mr. Mason done this, I say, I feel sure that such encouragement, coming in the very ”nick of time,” would have resulted in placing the subject of this sketch far above even his present excellent position as a musician, while such n.o.ble action on the part of Mr. Mason might to-day be considered as an additional gem in the latter's confessedly bright crown. I hope I do not seem too harsh. I love music and those who create it, and I greatly dislike to speak aught that is ill of such persons. And yet I love too, even more ardently, reform and its promoters; and therefore cannot regard with complacency the acts of those, who, possessing great talents and influence, yet fail to use them in furthering the cause of right. I have said that Mr. Williams has written several overtures: one of these was for the orchestra of the famous Park Theatre. At present he is constantly engaged in arranging and composing music.

In concluding this brief sketch, which I fear falls short of doing its subject justice, I will only add, that in the remarkably fine achievements he has made under circ.u.mstances and against difficulties that would have caused many to falter, indeed, to yield in despair,--chief among these difficulties being the hateful, terrible spirit of _color-prejudice_, that foul spirit, the full measure of whose influence in crus.h.i.+ng out the genius often born in children of his race it is difficult to estimate,--in Mr. Williams's triumphs in a great degree against all these, I say, is presented an instance of art-love, and of manly, persevering devotion, that is truly heroic.

Falling short, as he does, of an eminence, that, had he been born with a fairer complexion, would ere this have been his, his life is yet a grand example to those younger members of his race who are beginning their careers in the world of music when fairer skies light their pathway; when the American people, regretting the depressing, blighting cruelties of the dark past, now seek to atone for the same by offering encouragement to _all_ who exhibit musical talents, and evince a conscientious desire to improve the same. Mr. Williams may remember with pride that to this gratifying result he has in a very marked degree contributed; and that therefore, in spite of some disappointments, his musical life has really been a n.o.ble success.

VIII.

JUSTIN HOLLAND,

THE EMINENT AUTHOR AND ARRANGER,

AND PERFORMER ON THE GUITAR, FLUTE, AND PIANO-FORTE.

”Gayly the troubadour Touched his guitar.”

OLD SONG.

”Untwisting all the chains that tie The hidden soul of harmony.”

MILTON.

No life can be called a truly great one that has not been a truly good one: a very simple saying, and one which, however trite, yet requires frequent repeating, since its importance is but too seldom considered.

And the n.o.ble fame that sooner or later surely attaches to the author of such a life belongs chiefly, but not entirely, to him; it being in part, in a certain sense, the property of all who would follow in his footsteps, becoming for them an inspiring example; its history, with all its experiences of hope and fear, its occasional failures but frequent successes, its struggles when environed by poverty or other untoward circ.u.mstances, and its final triumph over all obstacles, serving as a guide, a beacon indeed, to illumine their pathway as they climb the same difficult but glorious hills of honor.

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