Broadside regarding a spiritual concert

Commentary

This broadside begins: 'For the BENEFIT of Mr. MUNRO senior, (Master of all the MUSIC in Scotland.) At Major WEIR'S House, near the Head of the West-Bow, (commodiously fitted for that Purpose.) On WEDNESDAY the 1st of APRIL next, will be A SPIRITUAL CONCERT CALLED Harmony Revers'd ; or, The World turn'd upside down.'

At first glance, this broadside appears to carry an advertisement for a recital at Major Weir's House in Edinburgh's West Bow. Upon closer inspection, however, it soon becomes clear that this notice is in fact parodying such advertisements. The normally impressive names of classical musicians and the wonderful titles given to their music are made a mockery of here: 'And a SONG by Signiora SHRIL-PIPE called the IRISH HOUL'. By indirectly poking fun at the inherent snobbery often found in such circles, the author of this advertisement has produced a highly amusing work.

Broadsides are single sheets of paper, printed on one side, to be read unfolded. They carried public information such as proclamations as well as ballads and news of the day. Cheaply available, they were sold on the streets by pedlars and chapmen. Broadsides offer a valuable insight into many aspects of the society they were published in, and the National Library of Scotland holds over 250,000 of them.

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