This led eventually to a "choice" meeting, and the marriage was attended
with many interesting incidents. Their history would of itself form a
curious romance!

Every one competent is educated in the meaning of the harp-sounds, and
the instruction in this branch of study commences at an early age.
Certain sentences are written, and a sound is given out and repeated
till the young person thoroughly understands what he has heard. Then the
sentence is renewed, perhaps, in connection with another sentence, the
accompanying sound is given, and in a short time the student says the
word or sentence accompanying every sound, and thus he soon learns how
to use these sounds, and how to vary and combine them, just as an
alphabet or series of words would be used by an able writer.

When the instrument is used as a subsidiary agent, and the player
accompanies his own or another's voice with words, he plays an
accompaniment implying words, but not so as to attract attention from
the singer. There are certain accompaniments which are adapted to
anything that might be sung. These, however, the player can vary, if his
talent is sufficient.

Our songs are generally spontaneous effusions, but there are songs with
which certain words are permanently associated.

The harp itself is beautiful as a work of sculptural art. Around its
framework most elegant and tasteful ornaments are executed with the
minutest perfection--small birds of variegated plumage perched on
graceful foliage of green enamel, with flowers in their natural colours,
so executed as closely to resemble nature. The birds, flowers, and
foliage are connected with the chords of the harp, and conceal from view
small vases or reservoirs set in the framework of the instrument. From
these with every touch of the chords a beautiful fragrance is exhaled,
the force or delicacy of which depends on the more powerful or gentler
strains produced from the instruments.

The instant the player strikes the chords, the little birds open their
wings, the flowers quiver in gentle action, and then from the vases are
thrown off jets of perfume. The more strongly the chords are touched,
the more powerfully does the fragrance play around.

In tender passages the perfume gradually dies away, till it becomes so
faint as to be appreciated only by the most delicate organisations. The
result, however, is, that the sense is gratified, the heart touched, and
the whole soul elevated. I have seen th