I observe the player of the cymbals to dash at a
sounding answer now and then rather than not cut in at
all; but I take that to be in the way of his instrument.

In _Great Expectations_ Mr. Wopsle, who is a parish clerk
by profession, had an ambition not only to tread the boards,
but to start off as Hamlet. His appearance was not a success,
and the audience was derisive.

On his taking the recorders--very like a little black
flute that had just been played in the orchestra and
handed out at the door--he was called upon unanimously
for 'Rule Britannia.'

Reference has already been made to Bucket's music-shop,
so we must not forget to visit Caleb Plummer's little room,
where there were

scores of melancholy little carts which, when the
wheels went round, performed most doleful music. Many
small fiddles, drums, and other instruments of torture.

The old man made a rude kind of harp specially for his poor
blind daughter, and on which Dot used to play when she visited
the toy-maker's. Caleb's musical contribution would be 'a
Bacchanalian song, something about a sparkling bowl,' which
much annoyed his grumpy employer.

'What! you're singing, are you?' said Tackleton, putting
his head in at the door. 'Go it, _I_ can't sing.'