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78 Music of the Waters. |
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handle turned the barrel, and a waltz was next played. ( Jack/ for such he was, was equally at home with the waltz, but when a gavotte was played his terpsichorean antics were brought to a sudden close. In vain he tried to keep time to the air ; but after giving a few more coppers to the woman, he was suited with a schottische. The climax was, however, reached when the ' Marseillaise' was ground out. ' Jack ' brought himself to a standstill, and after making sure of the tune, he beat a hasty retreat, amid the mingled laughter and regret of the onlookers." In spite of the assertion that singing and steam are irreconcilable, and that the chanty-man has passed away, I yet contend that the modern sailor knows much more of music than is generally believed. Jack's whole life and soul seem to be in his legs when a hornpipe is played, whether at sea or on shore, and he is not more likely to attempt a jig to a martial air, or a waltz to the time of a gavotte, than a popular prima-donna would be to sing an aria in the wrong key. |
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