England: history of the pipe and tabor

'Regency' Dancing (1790 - 1829)

 "The instrumental composition of dance music ensembles could be colourful and sometimes unexpected. The most enduring instruments across this period were the violin and tabor & pipe, the latter being a small drum and single-handed three-holed pipe played by a sole performer. source

There is much literary reference to the pipe and tabor being played for dancing across all social classes, in the ballroom for royalty as well as at village celebrations, picnics and on board ship.

 

dancing on board ship
Sailors of all classes danced to the pipe and tabor. England was at war with France and large numbers of men were soldiers and in the navy. Whether or not women were present dances were held on board ship, often to the pipe and tabor. c. 1790 sailors dancing, printed fabric, France Full textile design here: France, 1771 - 1811 'Dance on a Gravesend Boat' : close-up of the player: drawing by Cruikshank with a midshipman dancing with a 'lady' 1790 poem Madras Courier - Wednesday 11 August 1790 1795 story - ‘The Bear and other Beasts.’ “…The fidler, or rather the performer on the pipe and tabor, was considered as a fit subject for his Majesty's navy, and consequently sent to a regulating captain, who forwarded him and his vile instrument of noise on board….” ‘Sporting Magazine of Monthly Calendar Of the Transactions of the Turf  the Chase, and every other Diversion interesting to the Man of Leisure, Enterprize and Spirit.’ 1814 the convict ship Broxbornebury (England to Australia) records accounts of convicts dancing to fife and drum. Monday 28th March This evening the convicts danced to the piper. Tuesday 5th April This Evening the convicts danced to a Drum and Fife. – One of the Crew plays very well. Friday 24th May p 56 We had a really fine day, but the wind headed us little and after Dinner we had the drum and fife as usual; Thursday 26th May This Evening and last evening we had dancing on the Deck.  The Drum and Fife played for an hour. 1816 essay “…the youth of both sexes, to whom the pipe and tabor in England, or the bagpipe in Scotland, would have been in themselves an irresistible temptation,… To compel men to dance and be merry by authority has rarely succeeded, even on board of slave-ships, where it was formerly sometimes attempted by way of inducing the wretched captives to agitate their limbs, and restore the circulation, during the few minutes they were permitted to enjoy the fresh air upon deck….” ‘Tales of my Landlord [1st series]’ by Scott, Walter, Sir 1817 clinical advice for sailors:‘The modern practice of physic : exhibiting the characters, causes, symptoms, prognostics, morbid appearances, and improved method of treating the diseases of all climates’ 1820 dancing on convict ships. The 'Guildford' transported 190 convict men to the colony, from England to Australia (15 April 1820 to 5 November 1820). Surgeon-superintendent, Hugh Walker reported that no convicts died on the voyage and commented on their remarkable health which he attributed to cleanliness, ventilation and daily mustering on deck. In his medical journal he recommended that convict ships should carry pipes and tabors so that convicts may dance to prevent them brooding on their misfortunes. 'Medical Journal of Hugh Walker on the voyage of the Guildford in 1820.' The National Archives. Kew, Richmond, Surrey. 1822 advice on preventing scurvy 'The modern practice of physic : exhibiting the character, causes, symptoms, prognostics, morbid appearances, and improved method of treating the diseases of all climates' by Thomas, Robert, Hosack, David,   balls and dancing in taverns
1789 playing for dancing 1789 player detail 'shepherds boy' print 1791 poem “…In merry mood the pleasing throng "Tripp’d down the lively dance along The "Squire made a smart advance With heels and trips, just brought from France, While country loobies legg’d behind, A clownish ’semblance of mankind ; The pipe and tabor, bow ‘and ‘sring, Made all the air with music ring 5 The dancers hopp’d in numbers plenty, And form’d in couples nearly twenty….” The Weekly Entertainer, and West of England Miscellany 1791-09-26: Vol 18 Iss 451 1791 story “…rural pipe and tabor were placed, at Clara’s request, under the shade of her beloved acacias on the margin of the lake; the merry notes of music sounded, Adeline led off the dance…” ‘The Romance of the Forest: Interspersed with Some Pieces of Poetry.’ [...] In Three Volumes. (Volume III) by Ann Ward Radcliffe 1791 Bath New Assembly Rooms, general Meeting:Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette - Thursday 01 December 1791 1791 play “…Here's a goodly morning. The sun shines till our blood dances to it like a frisky wench to a tabor.” ‘The surrender of Calais a play in three acts’ by George Colman, (the Younger.) As Performed at the Little Theatre, Hay Market  1792 'A French Family' - English satire, detail close-up of player 1794 ‘The Dancing  Master’s Ball’ close-up of players 1793 ‘The shepherds holyday’ 1795 ball ticket 1790 - 1800 child player with adult fiddler 1792 song Ca ira! ‘A favourite National Chansen, sung in the Entertainment of Le Champ de Mars, at Sadler's Wells.’ “…Chearfully we now shall rear the vine, Merrily enjoy the fruits of labour, Dancing, be to the pipe and tabor, While John Bull in the song shall join, Ah! ca ira &c….” ‘The Muses Banquet, or Vocal Repository, for the year 1792. Being the newest and most modern collection of songs, duets, trios, &c.’ 1793 ‘The Prize, a Ballad.’ (Founded on a true Story,) dedicated to the Earl of Mansfield.‘Poems’ by  Burrell, Sophia, Lady 1790's New dances in Bath "The only important non-Continental innovations arrived from the Celtic fringe in the 1790s with a grateful infusion of Highland reels and strathspeys with Irish jigs. These were first signalled in the dancing masters' classes and then by the addition of 'an Harp and a Pipe and Tabor' to the Upper Assembly Rooms orchestra on ball nights." Trevor Fawcett, "Dance and Teachers of Dance in Eighteenth-Century Bath", Bath History Journal 2 (1988) [p. 32] 1793 Bury and Norwich Post - Wednesday 16 January 1793 1793 story ‘Memoirs of Mary, a novel.’ by Mrs. Gunning. In five volumes. ... 1793: Vol 2 1793 poem “…Or fore or aft, to dancing quick repair; Hornpipes and jigs in motley measures meet, All fresh from Wapping or Virginia street, Where to the "wry neck'd fife" or broke tabor, Our tars are wont to learn in dance to labour,…” The Bee; or Literary Weekly Intelligencer, consisting of original pieces, and selections from performances of merit, foreign and domestic; a work calculated to disseminate useful knowledge among all ranks of people at a small expence: volume 13, page 253 1794 story “…a poor blind youth from a neighbouring hamlet playing on a fantastic pipe and taber soon summoned the cottagers to a little lawn, where a rustic ballet was formed,… and when the piper and the villagers retired,… The utmost decorum had been observed by the domestics and peasantry, who had equally enjoyed the evening by dancing on the back lawn, to the enlivening pipe and tabor…” ‘The mystic cottager of Chamouny: a novel, in two volumes.’ ... 1794: Vol 1 1794 story “…The entertainments of this evening consisted ‘of a ball and supper; it was a fancy ball, and the company danced in groups in the gardens, which were very extensive….observing the cotillions...the light fantastic steps’ of their dances ; the musicians, with the lute, the hautboy, and tabor, seated at the foot of an elm…” ‘The Mysteries of Udolpho, a Romance; Interspersed with Some Pieces of Poetry. In Three Volumes.’ by Radcliffe, Ann Ward 1794 story “…the tenants and young villagers were dancing gaily, to the enlivening sounds of the pipe and tabor…” 'Madeline; or, the Castle of Montgomery, a novel. In three volumes.' 1794: Vol 1 by Kelly, Isabella 1794 poem “Strike up the pipe, the tabor, and the dance;” ‘THE DEPARTURE OF THE YEAR’ BY MR. C. I. PITT ‘The Pocket Magazine; or, Elegant Repository of Useful and Polite Literature, volume 1’ London 1795 song: MY HEART IS DEVOTED DEAR MARY TO THEE. Sung by Mr. Darley. “…When the shrill pipe and tabor proclaim the light dance, With transports I see my dear Mary advance; Then such grace she displays while she trips mid the throng,…” ‘The Jovial Songster, or, Sailor's Delight: a choice collection of cheerful and humourous songs, that are sung by the brave tars of old England, and other merry companions, ... including, among other diverting subjects, the sailor's description of a hunting.’ 1796 poem 'To Lavinia on her birthday' “…They to their mistress carol'd forth her praise. Their toll and labour Oer at setting sun, With pipe and tabor to the dance they run;…” ‘Original miscellaneous poems.’ by Edward Atkins Harrop. 1796 1796 poem ' The departure of the Year': ‘Strike up the pipe, the tabor, and the dance We’ll lure him back with spritliness and joy’ The Pedlar: A Miscellany, in Prose and Verse, by C. I. Pitt. by Charles Dibdin 1796 a Masquerade Ball was held at “Orchardley-House, near Frome, (England) at which near 200 persons were present, dressed in various fancy characters ....The principal characters were, a Dancing Bear, led by his Keeper playing on the tabor and pipe;” Ipswich Journal - Saturday 24 December 1796 1797 song ‘The new whim of the night; or the town and country songster; (for 1797.) Containing a choice collection of the most approved songs, sung at the Theatres Royal, Vauxhall, Sadler's Wells 1797 poem ON THE BIRTH-DAY OF MISS MARY*****T, FEBRUARY 19, 1797 by HORATIO. “…Hark! already sounds the pipe and drum; See! over yonder lawn they come, In rustic garb, by two and two, Their feet go as the music true…. Each shepherd takes his lass's hand, As in a ring they gaily stand; And, at the merry tabor's sound, They dance, and foot it round and round…” The Lady's Magazine; or entertaining companion for the fair sex, appropriated solely to their use and amusement, volume 28, page 231 1798 poem Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette - Thursday 30 August 1798 1798 Winchester birthday celebrations: Hampshire Chronicle - Monday 29 October 1798 1798 story “...Three violins and a pipe and tabor now began a very lively tune to the dance the bride had called; and in less than a quarter of an hour the greatest gaiety prevailed.  The amusement was kept up with infinite spirit for about an hour, when refreshments of various kinds were handed about…” ‘The Sicilian. A novel. In four volumes. .'.. 1798: Vol II by Meeke, Mary
1799 poem “…‘Twas twelve and seven dances past Scarce had the tired fidlers ceased to play… (The Boulanger a whimsical parade is, The ladies running round the beaux, And then the beaux go hopping round the ladies.)… T’was now my turn to foot it in the middle, And twenty circles had I nearly made; When thro' the ranks, you'd scarce believe, He rush'd, and caught me roughly by the sleeve, Cursing the pipe and tabor, and the fiddle,…” ‘The Margate new guide; or Memoirs of five families out of six; Who in Town discontent with a good Situation, Make Margate the Place of their Summer Migration.WITH NOTES, AND OCCASIONAL ANECDOTES.’1799 by Sharpe, Richard Scrafton. 1799 song “…Where weary reapers labour, With Sylvia gay, he seen, Or, to the pipe and tabor, Light tripping o er the green….” A COLLECTION SONGS,SELECTED FROM THE WORKS OF MR. DIBDIN. 1797, fan print, taborer with dancers, from the background of a print, England   1800 ball invitation card   close-up of players 1800 Isaac Cruikshank depicted the pipe and tabor player in the balcony as part of a band for a ball. from 'Caricature ornaments for screens', 1800. close-up of players (from a different print) 1800 Birmingham:Aris's Birmingham Gazette 08 December 1800 1800 poem ‘The SPORTING HAY-MAKERS.’‘Drowned Mariner; or, the Low-lands of Holland hath twin'd my love and me. To which are added, the jolly sailor's wedding. The sporting hay-makers. Absent Jockey. 1800’ 1800 song within a play: ‘Jane of Flanders ; Or, THE SIEGE OF HENNEBONNE. A DRAMA IN TWO ACTS.’The Lady's Monthly Museum 1800-06: Vol 4 1800 poem ‘In Ev’ry Fertile Valley’‘The Fashionable, or, London and Country Songster.’ 1800 children's story ‘ETON MONTEM’ “Pipe and Tabor, and Dance of Peasants.” [Ed There is no indication in this play where the pipe and tabor plays for the dancing] ‘The Parent's Assistant, or, Stories for Children’ by Edgeworth, Maria 1800 play 'Paul and Virginia' “…Hence, ye idle pack, away, Instead of hard and healthy labour, Jigging to the pipe and tabor, Serenading—masquerading, Go home, go home, and work, I say…” Songs, duets, trios, chorusses, &c. in Paul & Virginia, a musical drama, in two acts: as performed at the Theatre-Royal, Covent-Garden. 1801 story “…She found herself in the room, appropriated to the dancers, aroused from thought by the brisk notes of the pipe and tabor.  “You intend to dance, of course, Miss Melville said Meriton. 'May I hope for the honour of your hand ?” ‘Splendid Misery: A Novel in three volumes’, Vol 1 by Thomas Skinner Surr
1801 The King and Queen visited the Staffordshire regiment:Star (London) - Monday 20 July 1801 1802 celebration Hampshire Chronicle - Monday 05 April 1802 1803 dancing master was prosecuted: True Briton - Tuesday 22 March 1803 1804 New Assembly Rooms Bath, rules ‘A guide to all the watering and sea-bathing places :with a description of the lakes…’ by Feltham, John. 1804 Oracle and the Daily Advertiser - Saturday 18 August 1804 1802 dancing at hay-making time 1802 'A merry go round’ satirical print of Bonapart playing the pipe and tabor as the powers of Europe dance 1804 sketch 1806 in the ball-room close-up, player in band on balcony In 1806 satire depicting the pipe and tabor player working with a fiddler for an aristocratic couple to dance. 'The Honey Moon'   1807 playing for a longways set close-up of musicians 1806 newspaper report: 1806 one of a series of dance music publications by this company: "Broderip & Wilkinson's Selection of the most admired Dances, Reels, Waltz's, Strathspeys & Cotillons. With their proper figures as danced at the Court of St. James's, Bath & other polite assemblies. Adapted for the harp, pianoforte, violin or tabor & pipe. Book [12.]" [by Broderip and Wilson]. [1806] 1807 story: ‘The Downhill of Life.’ “…After descending for some time with much toil and care, a pipe and  tabor struck on her ear: she looked on one side, and in a green lane beheld several lovely shepherdesses with their swains dancing…” The Lady's Magazine; or entertaining companion for the fair sex, appropriated solely to their use and amusement, volume 38, page 70
'Tekeli' music and dance This was a popular operatic work composed by James Hook (1746-1827) in 1806. Tekeli was also a very popular tune which subsequently appeared in many musicians' manuscripts and published collections, for example Goulding's 'Twenty Four Country Dances for the Year 1808'. Often the word 'pandean' is coupled with 'Tekeli' ( or Takele, Tekely, Tekeele). The same tune is called 'A Favourite Pandean Dance' in local manuscripts in Shropshire, Dorset and Sussex. ', in the Welch MSS of 1800 and the dance occurs in 1809 in 'Wilson's Treasures of Terpsichore'. "The instructions for the English country dances Tekeli and the Pandean Dance in Tekeli appeared in many collections of dances published in England, Ireland, Scotland, and America.  Both these dances were enjoyed at different levels of society from the Duchess of Richmond’s ball in Dublin Castle, through to rustic dance s in Dorset where Thomas Hardy played." source Similar melodies are in the Hardy MSS under the title 'Pandean Dance in Tekeli" The tune survived as a merry-go-round tune at Southport Fairground until Victorian days. 1807 Morning Post - Wednesday 18 February 1807 source Music also here Tekeli played on fiddle here 'The Dowager Countess of Clonmell gave an elegant ball and supper on Wednesday evening, at her house in Portman Square.... The second dance, " Tekeli," was also danced down by her Ladyship and Earl Percy, followed by twenty-five couple.' Morning Herald (London) - Friday 12 June 1807 1807 Morning Herald (London) - Thursday 02 July 1807 1807 The Countess Spencer’s Fete Champetre, WimbledonMorning Post - Monday 06 July 1807 1807Morning Herald (London) - Saturday 11 July 1807 1807 Mr Angertien’s Grand Fete at WoodlandsMorning Post - Friday 24 July 1807 “The Annual October Meeting of the Northern Shooting Club, which commenced here on the 7th instant, terminated last night with a Play, Ball, and Supper. ... the ball-room extremely crowded every evening.   The favourite dances were Drops of Brandy, Lord Madras and Tekeli....” Morning Post - Friday 16 October 1807 1808 ‘Mrs. Leigh's Ball, at Oakhill, on Friday last, was one of the most splendid.... at nine o'clock, the benevolent hostess' and Colonel Vinson of the West York, led off the merry dance, with Tekeli.’ Morning Post - Tuesday 26 January 1808 1808 Mrs Miles’s BallBristol Mirror - Saturday 09 January 1808 1808 Oracle and the Daily Advertiser - Monday 08 February 1808 1808 ‘The Ball at Argyle-street Rooms, on Monday, was opened by Viscount Dursley and Miss Wellesley, to the favourite air of Tekeli.’ Oracle and the Daily Advertiser - Thursday 28 April 1808 1808 at the Argyle Street Institution Oracle and the Daily Advertiser - Wednesday 27 April 1808 1808 British Press - Thursday 09 June 1808 1808 'The Royal Family - Lady Mary Bentinck’s Ball'Oracle and the Daily Advertiser - Saturday 11 June 1808 1808 Mrs T Hope’s Grand Ball and Supper, Mansfield Street British Press - Monday 20 June 1808 1808 ‘Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales gave a magnificent. Ball and Supper, on Monday evening, at her seat at Blackheath.... The ball was opened at half past ten o'clock, by Lady CHARLOTTE CAMPBELL and Mr. ST. LEGER, to the favourite air of Tekeli, followed by about 50 couple:’ Oracle and the Daily Advertiser - Wednesday 29 June 1808 1808 ‘Sir Thomas Wilson gave a magnificent dinner, ball, and supper, at his elegant villa, near Shooters Hill.... The dancing Commenced soon after nine, in the elegant saloon about twenty-five couples stood up to the lively tune of "Tekeli." ‘ Morning Post - Wednesday 24 August 1808 1809 Weymouth ‘Harvey’s Rooms, on the Esplanade, which were lifted with an assemblage of beauty and' fashion never before experienced at so early a period of summer season. ... Captain Atkins and the elegant Miss.Sweetenham led most gracefully to the tune of the Fairy Dance ...  followed to the tune of Tekeli; and the light fantastic toe pointed to a very early hour.’ Pilot (London) - Friday 23 June 1809 1809 ‘The Perthshire Hunt met here on Wednesday last. It was attended a very great assemblage of the Nobility and Gentry of this and other counties; ... The usual entertainments of Public Breakfasts, Dinners, and Assemblies took place. ... The Band, conducted by Mr J. Bowie, gave universal satisfaction.. The following were the leading tunes danced : ... Medley—Tekeli’ Perthshire Courier - Monday 09 October 1809   more pipe and tabor for dancing
1805 song 'The Garland' by William Dixon: "Hark, hark, hark, hark the merry merry pipe and tabor lead the festive dance along let us now forgetting labour Haste to join the jocund throng" etc 1805 poem‘ALL IS NOT VANITY’ “…What then? I’ve the pleasure of labour; My health is improv’d when I fast; And to-morrow, with dance, pipe, and tabor…” The Lady's Monthly Museum 1805-04: Vol 14 1805 newspaper advertisment: Northampton Mercury 06 April 1805 1806 Masquerade Ball and Supper given by the garrison at Bexhill: Star (London) - Tuesday 13 May 1806
1807 newspaper report “Lady Johnstone’s ball and supper: at the Assembly Rooms, York.... The dancing commenced about 10 o’clock when every countenance seemed in unison with the merry pipe and tabor...  “ York Herald - Saturday 07 March 1807	1807 ‘THE FIRST VISIT TO VAUXHALL GARDENS.’ Sporting Magazine
1807 story, a wedding dance “…Eliza was hostess among their wives and daughters-and when -the pipe and tabor called them to the merry dance— she gave her hand to Augustus, and joined the happy throng….” The Mask of Fashion; a plain tale, with anecdotes foreign and domestic' by Surr, T. S. (Thomas Skinner)
1807 story, at a ball “…she declares that nothing but “ drops of brandy” (the name of a popular tune) can restore her… It must be highly amusing to the looker-on to see the gravity of some, the pleasantry of others, and the folly with which all keep frisking about to the pipe and tabor, like so many hay-makers in a pantomime….” ‘The Pleasures of Human Life : investigated cheerfully, elucidated satirically, promulgated explicitly, and discussed philosophically. In a dozen dissertations on male, female, and neuter pleasures. Interspersed with various anecdotes, and expounded by numerous annotations.’ by Britton, John
1807 story ‘THE DOWNHILL OF LIFE’‘The Lady's Magazine : or entertaining companion for the fair sex, appropriated solely to their use and amusement’	1807 story “…the young men and women… assembled upon some pleasant spot among the rocks, to dance to the sound of the pipe and tabor, while the more aged amused themselves with looking on, and preparing refreshments….” ‘The Discarded Son; or, Haunt of the banditti. A tale in five volumes’ by Roche, Regina Maria
1808 Newspaper report on royal fete at Old Windsor:
1808 Dancing at Greenwich Hill, London; Grand Anniversary Festival Star (London) - Tuesday 19 April 1808
1807 Died Manchester Mercury - Tuesday 08 September 1807
1811 Died: Oxford Journal - Saturday 19 January 1811
1809Chester Courant - Tuesday 12 December 1809
1809 Kentish Gazette - Friday 03 November 1809
1809 poem MARY OF BUTTERMERE, PART III. “…Then circled quick the blood-red wine, Till fife and tabor gay Invite the dance, where youth divine And beauty led the way….” ‘Odes, lyrical ballads, and poems on various occasions’ by George Stephen Kemble	1809 poem ‘A Familiar and Descriptive Tale’ “..The op’ra o’er—we join’d a rout, Where cards and dancing went about Till call’d to supper, just at four, Tho’ somewhat late I thought the hour ; Yet pipe and tabor did recall The merry dancers to the ball;…” The Poetical Magazine 1809-09: Vol 1 Iss 5
1809 poem ‘The Assembly – an ancient tale’Chester Courant - Tuesday 12 December 1809
1810 newspaper report Staffordshire Advertiser - Saturday 30 June 1810
1810 newspaper report of a court case, London: Star (London) - Tuesday 30 October 1810	1810 from the opera ‘Safe and Sound’‘The Literary Panorama’ by Charles Taylor
1812 In 'Princely Amusements or the Humors of the Family' George Cruikshank has the pipe and tabor player at the front of the band.	close-up of player (different print)
1812 rout and dance at York “As soon as dinner was over, all the tables, side board &c, & carpet were taken out, three patent lamps lighted & two fiddlers & tabor & pipe seated in a corner. Before seven o'clock, the [illegible] began to move & continued in motion with little rest for some hours...I believe there were 133 people invited, viz 90 ladies & 43 gentlemen, about 100 came…” Letter from Emma Grimston to Oswald Grimston, 6 February 1812, relating to a rout and dance held at York, DDGR/43/32/9, East Riding of Yorkshire archives 1812 Birth Day of Princess Charlotte of Wales celebrated at Fisher’s Hotel. “The Ball was opened about half past ten ... Pilot (London) - Saturday 11 January 1812 1812 Grand Masquerade at Vauxhall, London Star (London) - Tuesday 21 July 1812 1812 story; a picnic : "Our music consisted of two fiddles, with a pipe and tabor. .... The ladies of the town .. swam, sprawled, languished, and frisked. ... after the dance had continued about an hour, the two ladies, who were apprehensive of catching cold, moved to break up the ball." 'The Vicar of Wakefield' by Oliver Goldsmith 1813 ‘Mrs Busby’s Masqued Ball’, newspaper report: “Colonel Berkeley, as a Savoyard, with a pipe and tabor - he was accompanied by a Bear and two Monkeys; they were a very entertaining group, particularly Bruin, whose roar produced universal mirth; the Monkeys exercised their talent. by a display of a number of very clever tricks;” Morning Post - Thursday 17 June 1813 1813Hull Packet - Tuesday 06 July 1813 1814Lancaster Gazette - Saturday 16 July 1814 1814 dancing after dinner Gloucester Journal - Monday 08 August 1814 1814 poem ‘On Riches’ " Like some lone Chartreuse, stands the good old hall; Silence without, and fasts within the wall; No rafter'd roofs with dance and tabor sound, No noontide bell invites the country round:…” ‘The Lady's Magazine; or entertaining companion for the fair sex, appropriated solely to their use and amusement,’ volume 45 page 369 1814 front cover of dance instruction booklet: W.M. Cahusac's Annual Collection of Twelve favorite Country Dances, with their Basses, For the Year 1814, with proper Directions to each Dance, as they are Performed at Court, Bath, and all Public Assemblys. Price 1s. 1815 diary entry 'England in 1815 as seen by a young Boston merchant :being the reflections and comments of Joseph Ballard on a trip through Great Britain…” by Ballard, Joseph. Edward Francis Burney was one of the many who mocked or deplored the speed and physical contact of the newly introduced waltz. In 1815 he drew 'The Waltz'.1815 The orchestra is up in the balcony with a pipe and tabor player at the back. close-up of player
1816 1816 close-up of players 1817 1817 the band (from a different print)
1817 caricature ‘Les Graces -- Inconveniences in quadrille dancing’ 1817 caricature - painting on the right-hand side of the wall where couples are dancing politely close-up of right-hand picture on the wall behind dancers (from a different print) Separate events began to be advertised for tradesmen in Bury St Edmunds. For example in 1816 there were two balls held in the first week of January at the Kings Head in Diss. One is described as a Farmers and Tradesmen’s Ball and the other as an Assembly. 1816 story “…Mrs. Sudwell, my laundress, had given a dance the night before, to sixteen people of fashion …we'd a fiddle and a pipe and tabor…” ‘Uncle Tweazy and his Quizzical Neighbours: a comi-satiric novel’ 1816 story “…A pipe and tabor was not forgotten ; and Somers, inspired by the surrounding gaiety, drew his violin from the case wherein it had been buried for many years,… he instructed them in the intricate figure of the mazy dance…” ‘My Bird and my Dog : a tale for youth’ by Minerva Press 1817 story “…The next moment the Sound of violins and a pipe and tabor gave notice of a dance…” ‘The Balance of Comfort; Or, The Old Maid and Married Woman.: A Novel. In Three Volumes.’ by Mrs Ross 1817 ‘LETTERS FROM ITALY. No. L’ “…But pipe and tabor were even here before us, enabling a party of English beaus and belles to dance ; and dance they did in most wretched style….” Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine 1817 Almacks ball ticket - only those of the highest society could gain a ticket for this dance venue.   1828 book review An essay on women in a ’ Review of New Books’: Atlas 31 August 1828 1818 Fete at FrettenhamNorfolk Chronicle - Saturday 18 July 1818 1818 poem ‘Hill of Tor’'The Rustic Muse; a collection of poems' by Butterworth, James 1818 poem “You know my dear Mary, how often we’ve been seen With our tabor and pipe, dancing light on the green...” “For what are your dancers, to those I have seen With your tabor and pipe dancing on a damp green” "Poems on Domestic and Local Subjects" (Oxford 1818)  1819 poem - dance after bringing in the harvest “…And fondly lingers, as he lov'd to hear Arezzo’s harvest-home, and vintage-cheer. XLI. And hears, before those sounds have died away, The creaking wains again, the tipsy laughter, And song;, that bursts from farm at fall of day ; Sees the gay dance renew’d, and roof and rafter (For Musick in this clime beats time to Labour) Reel to the raving pipes and rattling tabor….” 'The Court and Parliament of Beasts'; by  Casti, Giovanni Battista, Rose, William Stewart 1818 story “…Various tents, some of which were .filled with refreshments, were pitched around ; and even the company added to the liveliness of the spectacle as some were seen dancing on the green sod to the merry sound of pipe and tabor…” ‘A YEAR AND A DAY’ by MADAME PANACHE, CHAPTER VI 1820 A 1770's image of a cotillion was used on the cover of a music book to illustrate 'As they Were'; musicians play the pipe and tabor, and fiddle: 1771 the band (different print)
1821 newspaper cutting Morning Post - Tuesday 09 January 1821 Contemporary novels not only describe pipe and tabor players  providing the music for village dances but some also list the tunes they played: 1821 “A blind fiddler, a pipe and tabor, struck up Nancy Dawson, and the vibrating floor soon gave proof that the dancers were strong and active.….. The pipe and tabor stopped, and the blind man’s arm being suddenly seized by his companion, a long drawling squeak usurped the place of the merry notes of “The Black Joke.” The Village Coquette, a novel in three volumes’ by FJ 1821 poem ‘The Parsons Choice of Town or Country’ “…Anon a jocund troop, in gallant trim, Merry at heart, and light, and lithe of limb, Comes dancing forward, to the measured sound Of pipe and tabor, footing its gay round ;…” British Critic, and Quarterly Theological Review 1822 satirical print of a taborer playing for dancing outside an inn close-up of taborer
1822 story “…The laird now, afraid of my father's growing more angry, and observing my distress, proposed dancing a reel, to employ the young peoples animal spirits sufficiently, as he said, looking archly at the major ; and, as it was the national dance, my father consented that we should perform it. A pipe and tabour were sent for from the house, and we danced till we were tired on the smooth shaven grass….” 'Madeline : a tale' by Opie, Amelia Alderson
1823 Fonthill Abbey celebration:Sun (London) - Wednesday 01 October 1823
1823 story “…Three decent violins, and a lad with a tabor and pipe, constituted the orchestra, which was fixed in a window-seat, and so well supplied with good liquor as to ensure unremitting efforts. I had the honor of leading the bride to the top …then we did dance! ye gods, how we did dance!...”  ‘The Cambridge Decameron.'  Page 236 in The Lady's Magazine; or, Mirror of the Belles-Lettres, Fashions, Fine Arts, Music, Drama, etc, a new series, volume 4
1825 Eaton House Ball Chester Chronicle - Friday 04 February 1825
"For the annual tenants’ ball at Eaton Hall, a band of nine to twelve musicians was hired across a period of at least four consecutive years. Led by Charles Harding on “first fiddle” and consisting of violins, cellos, double bass, bassoon, horn, and tabor and pipe, the band became a regular part of the aural atmosphere at Eaton Hall for the tenantry, domestic staff, and members of the family who joined in the festivities. The duties of such musicians could be particularly onerous – while at Eaton Hall the dancers sat down to supper, as only a hundred were served at any one time, the band was obliged to provide music over an eight to ten hour period."Chester Chronicle - Friday 04 February 1825
1825 'The Assembly Ball' an Air by Darby Kelly “An assembly-ball, delight of all, The fiddlers take their places, O; A sprightly harp, two violins, A tabor pipe, and basses, O. The parties they all enter gay, The old, the young, the pretty; And waddling in, with goggling grin, The warm ones from the City ….” "The Universal songster: or, Museum of mirth: forming the most complete, extensive, and valuable collection of ancient and modern songs in the English language, with a copious and classified index, Volume 1" In 1825 George Cruikshank drew 'The Cyprians Ball at the Argyle Rooms'. He too may have had a pipe and tabor player in the band. 1825 ‘Christmas in the Country’ – a view of life below stairs La Belle Assemblee Saturday 01 January 1825 number 34, page 14 1826 Oxford University and City Herald - Saturday 11 February 1826 1826 encyclopaedia entry “…As the pipe and tabour enliven the dance, the fife and drum animate the soldiers…” ‘The Little World of Knowledge ARRANGED NUMBRICALLY.DESIGNED FOR EXERCISING THE MEMORY, AND AS AN INTRODUCTION TO THE ARTS AND SCIENCES, HISTORY, NATURAL PHILOSOPHY, BELLES LETTRES, etc, etc, etc’ by Charlotte Matilda Hunt 1827 ‘Sylvia, or the May Queen; a Lyrical Drama’ “…Then around you we'll dance, and around you we'll sing! To soft pipe, and sweet tabor we 'll foot it away! And the hills, and the vales, and the forests shall ring While we hail you our lovely young Queen of the May!...” Act III by George Darley ACT III.Scene I. 1827 newspaper report: “A dramatic corps last week exhibited at Aston Clinton, Bucks ... the music a tabor and pipe, whose jocund sound set the audience a capering” Star (London) - Thursday 08 February 1827 1827 newspaper report: South Eastern Gazette 13 February 1827 1827 poem Now 'tis eve, and done all labour, And to merry pipe and tabor, Or to some cracked viol strummed With vile skill, or table drummed To the tune of some brisk measure, Wont to stir the pulse to pleasure, Men and maidens timely beat The ringing ground with frolic feet; And the laugh and jest go round Till all mirth in noise is drowned.” by Cornelius Webb in The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction, Vol. 10, Issue 268, August 11, 1827 1828 poemLiverpool Albion - Monday 03 November 1828 1829 procession and dressing the maypole: “…song, the dance, and innocent revelry are not quite forgotten in some part of our land… I will recount to you (and by your permission to the readers of the Mirror) a village féte which I lately witnessed and enjoyed. On the 9th inst. (Whit-Tuesday), after a few miles’ walk, I arrived in the village of Shillingstone (Dorsetshire),… Attracted by musical sounds, and following my ears instead of my nose; I soon found my way to the vicarage-house, where the company were just arriving in procession, preceded by a pink and white silken banner, while a pipe and-tabor regulated their march. Next after the music were four men each bearing a large garland of flowers,… dancing took place; for the time all distinctions were laid aside, and the greatest gentry in the neighbourhood, taking the hand of their more humble neighbours, led them through the mazy dance with a feeling of kindness, friendship, and good humour such as I have seldom witnessed.  Two or three hours of as beautiful an evening as ever…the party led off in the order they came to witness the ceremony of “ dressing’’ the May-Pole….Such, sir, is the Dorsetshire way of hailing the return of gentle skies and genial seasons; a custom of the olden time.” The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction 1829-07-04: Vol 14 Iss 379 1829 Letter to the Bishop of London, extract: English Chronicle and Whitehall Evening Post - Saturday 01 August 1829 1829 Dublin Evening Post - Saturday 20 June 1829 copy pub 1888 'Real Sailor-Songs.’ Collected and edited by J. Ashton   Regency dance music reproduced here