The Little Violinist
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About this book
A holiday visit to a Boston theatre leads Thomas Bailey Aldrich to reflect on the cost of childhood spent performing for adults. In this personal essay, he recalls seeing James Speaight, a young violinist known on stage as Young Americus. The boy plays before the audience and then conducts the orchestra, impressing the narrator with his trained ear while also showing signs of weariness.
Aldrich sets this demanding public life beside the protected childhood of his own twins, Charley and Talbot, who delight in the theatre's fairy scenery and stage transformations. His affectionate accounts of their play make his concern for working children more concrete. The sketch moves between family humour, observation of a performance and an appeal for public responsibility. It offers a brief, personal treatment of child labour, asking adults to consider the rest and care that even a talented child needs.
About the author
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Book facts
- Author
- Thomas Bailey Aldrich
- Pages
- 7
- Language
- English
- Genre
- Music
- Formats
- PDF, EPUB, Read online