Page 104 - Chinese Porcelain Vol I, Galland

72 CHINESE PORCELAIN.
'
harp is an expression commonly used as an emblem of matri-
mony ; and a derivative of the same idea metaphorically
a second Beside the of married
implies marriage. harmony
life, the friendship of either sex is equally symbolized by the
concord of sweet sounds from these instruments
proceeding ;
and in another and moderation in official
acceptation, purity
life are In allusion to the lettered func-
similarly typified.
tionaries of old, who, without thought of worldly lucre or
contented themselves in recreation with
unworthy intrigue,
their favourite lutes, the abode of the virtuous official is desig-
'
nated the Lute Hall,' and the approach to his tribunal as ' the
"
steps leading to the lute.'
No. 98 a lute in its cover.
represents wrapped up
No. 99. The lute uncovered.
partly
No. 100. A lute uncovered for use.
ready
See also Nos. 263, 406.
No. 101. The hwang till, or flute (" Middle Kingdom," vol.
"
ii. p. 170) is about twice the length of our fife, and made of a
bamboo tube and with ten holes, two
neatly prepared pierced
of which are near the end and unused, and one
placed midway
between the embouchure and the six equidistant ones for the
This additional hole is covered with a thin film
fingers. ;
the mouth-hole is bored about one-third of the way from the
There are no and the blow
top. keys, performers generally
upon the embouchure so violently that the sounds are shrill
and harsh.
"
The of the flute is the shu tih, or clarinet, which
congener
takes the lead in all musical as it does in western
performances,
bands. It has seven effective holes, one of which is stopped by
the thumb, but no is of and sits loose
keys ; the bell copper
upon the end, and the copper mouthpiece is ornamented with
and blown a reed. A smaller one of a sweeter
rings, through
tone, like a flageolet, is sometimes fitted with a singular shaped
reed, so that it can be played upon by the nose. Street
musicians sometimes endeavour to transform themselves into
a orchestra. One of these
travelling peripatetic Orpheuses
will fit a
flageolet to his nose, sling a drum under one shoulder,
and a framework of four small his
suspend cymbals upon
breast. The man, thus accoutred, aided by a couple of
monkeys running after him, or sitting on his head and