[ Editors note:
 [
 [ A note appeared in Digest 970830 asking for a hurdy-gurdy to perform at
 [ The House of the Seven Gables Museum in Salem, Mass.  I subsequently
 [ asked Mr. Olson if he could please tell us more about Hawthorne's
 [ story, and the forthcoming production.  His reply follows.  Please
 [ tell all our organ-grinding friends about this opportunity!  :)
 [
 [ Robbie

Robbie,  Thanks for your E-mail.  I apologize for the delay in getting
back to you.  It has been a hectic month as we get ready for Salem's
Haunted Happenings Events.

For our part in Salem's yearly revelry for Halloween, The House of the
Seven Gables Historic Site will be opening the House as a stage for
bringing to life Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel.  On weekend evenings in
October, characters from the book will inhabit the house and visitors
will have the chance to meet the likes of Matthew Maule's Ghost (who
haunts the house), Alice Pyncheon (who dances and laughs uncontrollably
because she has been bewitched), and Clifford (who will be blowing
bubbles from the attic window), to name just a few.

So how does a barrel organ fit into this production?  We usually have
large crowds for this event with long lines as people wait to get into
the house. I would like to have a barrel organ playing to entertain
people as they wait in line.

Hawthorne has a wonderful scene in the book where one of the main
characters is gazing out the window and watching a "barrel organ" player
performing in the street below.  The description of the barrel organ in
the story is wonderful.  I am, however, not expecting to find anything as
intricate as is described, nor do I need to have a monkey accompany it.
I would just like to recreate the feel of the scene.  Hawthorne actually
spends a good deal of time on the description of the organ.  The scene as
described in the novel is as follows:

  "...  one of those Italian boys came along with his barrel organ, and
  stopped under the wide and cool shadows of the elm.  With his quick
  professional eye, he took note of the two faces watching him from the
  arched window, and, opening his instrument, he began to scatter its
  melodies abroad.

  "He had a monkey on his shoulder, dressed in a Highland plaid; and, to
  complete the sum of splendid attractions wherewith he presented himself
  to the public, there was a company of little figures, whose sphere and
  habitation was in the mahogany case of his organ, and whose principle of
  life was the music which the Italian made it his business to grind out.

  "In all their variety of occupation -- the cobbler, the blacksmith, the
  soldier, the lady with her fan, the toper with his bottle, the milkmaid
  sitting by her cow -- the fortunate little society might truly be said
  to enjoy a harmonious existence, and to make life literally a dance.

  "The Italian turned the crank;  and, behold! every one of these small
  individuals started into the most curious vivacity.  The cobbler wrought
  upon a shoe; the blacksmith hammered his iron; the soldier waved his
  glittering blade; the lady raised a tiny breeze with her fan; the jolly
  toper swigged lustily at his bottle; a scholar opened his book with
  eager thirst for knowledge, and turned his head to and fro along the
  page; the milkmaid energetically drained her cow; and a miser counted
  gold into his strongbox -- all at the same turning of the crank."

As I said above.  I am not looking to find this exact organ, but rather
any monkey organ to entertain visitors as they wait in line.  Any help
would be greatly appreciated.

If you need any further information please let me know.

Thanks

David A. Olson, Director, Programs and Education
The House of the Seven Gables Museum
54 Turner Street, Salem, MA  01970
E-mail:  OlsonDCCC@aol.com

 [ Wow!  I'd love to see an organ like Hawthorne described!  -- Robbie