the good old days:

The men who play the bells have got scent of the
marriage; and the marrow-bones and cleavers too;
and a brass band too. The first are practising in
a back settlement near Battle-bridge[13]; the second
put themselves in communication, through their chief,
with Mr. Tomlinson, to whom they offer terms to be
bought off; and the third, in the person of an artful
trombone, lurks and dodges round the corner, waiting
for some traitor-tradesman to reveal the place and
hour of breakfast, for a bribe.

Other instruments casually referred to are the Pan's pipes,
which in one place is also called a mouth-organ (_S.B.S._ 20),
the flageolet, and the triangle. It is difficult to classify
the walking-stick on which Mr. Jennings Rudolph played tunes
before he went behind the parlour door and gave his celebrated
imitations of actors, edgetools, and animals (_S.B.C._ 8).


[11] Forster, _Life of Charles Dickens._

[12] This is rather a modern development.

[13] Near King's Cross Station (G.N.R.).