hmwinter:

studentprince:

hmwinter:

Not particularly. The word dulcimer is Graeco-Roman, dulcis and μέλος. They are similar instruments, with similar sounds - they have different bodies, though. It’s interesting that she chose the dulcimer, you can see early variations of the instrument on Ancient Greek amphorae.

To be fair to Mummy, I don’t think she actually knew what the damn thing was, much less the origins, when she bought it. Perhaps you ought to give her a call and give her a quick educational lecture on the subject. —But how the hell have you been, Henry? You don’t look like you’ve slept. Again.

If you think she’d find it interesting.

I’m well enough, thank you Francis, there is always plenty to be done, even if I’m not sleeping. How are you? Camilla said you gave her your cold.

Unfortunately so, I’m afraid. I’m over the worst of it, but my sinuses still feel constantly on the verge of imminent explosion. I don’t suppose I could convince you to come with me to the doctor’s next Tuesday? I’m going to see my ear, throat, nose man over in Keene, and you know how I hate going alone.

hmwinter:

studentprince:

hmwinter:

studentprince:

Could anybody tell me exactly what a dulcimer is? All I know is it’s apparently Mummy’s latest fad, and she won’t stop sending me notes suggesting I take it up myself. Last month it was yoga, this month it’s the dulcimer (whatever the hell that is), next month I’m sure it’ll be Swahili or feng shui or water birthing or some other Godforsaken nonsense. How does one keep up with it all?

Is it hammered or Appalachian?

Er…Appalachian, I believe. Does it make much of a difference?

Not particularly. The word dulcimer is Graeco-Roman, dulcis and μέλος. They are similar instruments, with similar sounds - they have different bodies, though. It’s interesting that she chose the dulcimer, you can see early variations of the instrument on Ancient Greek amphorae.

To be fair to Mummy, I don’t think she actually knew what the damn thing was, much less the origins, when she bought it. Perhaps you ought to give her a call and give her a quick educational lecture on the subject. —But how the hell have you been, Henry? You don’t look like you’ve slept. Again.

millymacaulay:

studentprince:

millymacaulay:

studentprince:

Could anybody tell me exactly what a dulcimer is? All I know is it’s apparently Mummy’s latest fad, and she won’t stop sending me notes suggesting I take it up myself. Last month it was yoga, this month it’s the dulcimer (whatever the hell that is), next month I’m sure it’ll be Swahili or feng shui or water birthing or some other Godforsaken nonsense. How does one keep up with it all?

i know it’s an instrument, but i’m not sure of the origin or how one plays it. it’s probably best to ask charles or henry; charles being musical and henry being historical. i’ll bet you henry will know.

i missed you, darling. have you been with your mother all this time? how is she?

Her and Chris and my grandfather, yes. She’s well, I swear Chris is getting younger and tanner and fitter, and my grandfather is as much a bastard as ever. Nothing new there. But enough of that, how’ve you been, lovely? And that handsome brother of yours?

i hope your grandfather wasn’t too awful. next time, i’ll come home with you, and really shake the old bird up, hmm? charles is, as ever, a glorious prick. i love him, i don’t love his sweaty socks in my laundry basket. can we have drinks soon, my love? my nana sends her best wishes, too.

Send his sweaty socks my way, dearest, they can go with mine to the cleaners’. I should hate for your view of Charles to be colored by his footwear. But I would, however, love to have drinks. Come round my place tonight? I filched this gorgeous 1920s drinks cabinet from the country house, and spent a silly amount of money at the liquor store in town today to stock it properly. Do come, darling, I’d love you to be the first to see.

millymacaulay:

studentprince:

Could anybody tell me exactly what a dulcimer is? All I know is it’s apparently Mummy’s latest fad, and she won’t stop sending me notes suggesting I take it up myself. Last month it was yoga, this month it’s the dulcimer (whatever the hell that is), next month I’m sure it’ll be Swahili or feng shui or water birthing or some other Godforsaken nonsense. How does one keep up with it all?

i know it’s an instrument, but i’m not sure of the origin or how one plays it. it’s probably best to ask charles or henry; charles being musical and henry being historical. i’ll bet you henry will know.

i missed you, darling. have you been with your mother all this time? how is she?

Her and Chris and my grandfather, yes. She’s well, I swear Chris is getting younger and tanner and fitter, and my grandfather is as much a bastard as ever. Nothing new there. But enough of that, how’ve you been, lovely? And that handsome brother of yours?

hmwinter:

studentprince:

Could anybody tell me exactly what a dulcimer is? All I know is it’s apparently Mummy’s latest fad, and she won’t stop sending me notes suggesting I take it up myself. Last month it was yoga, this month it’s the dulcimer (whatever the hell that is), next month I’m sure it’ll be Swahili or feng shui or water birthing or some other Godforsaken nonsense. How does one keep up with it all?

Is it hammered or Appalachian?

Er…Appalachian, I believe. Does it make much of a difference?

Could anybody tell me exactly what a dulcimer is? All I know is it’s apparently Mummy’s latest fad, and she won’t stop sending me notes suggesting I take it up myself. Last month it was yoga, this month it’s the dulcimer (whatever the hell that is), next month I’m sure it’ll be Swahili or feng shui or water birthing or some other Godforsaken nonsense. How does one keep up with it all?