“The fame of this justly celebrated band is too widely extended to call for any eulogium from our pen. We should impugn the intelligence of our readers were we to enlarge ujjon their talents as composers, or the chasteness and elegance of their performance as musicians. We content ourselves, therefore, with presenting portraits of the father and four sons, composing the Dodworth family, together with a slight sketch of their history, and also a representation of the five different uniforms worn by the band. These illustrations were drawn from daguerreotypes taken expressly for us ; and we feel assured we could not better please our readers than by introducing to them the world-renowned Dodworth’s. In 1 828, Mr. Thos. Dodworth the father, and Allen, the eldest son — then about ten years of age — attached themselves to what was afterwards known as the Castle Garden Band, Thos. Dilks, leader. Three years after this. Harvey, the second son, then nine years of age, also joined the band. It will be seen by this, that three of the family have been practical musicians for upwards of twenty years. Some misunderstanding occurring in the old band, the Dodworth’s and some five or six others separated and formed the original Dodworth's Band, under the title of the National Brass Band — the father playing base, Allen the trombone, and Harvey the fife. The new band met with much opposition and but indifferent success ; and on several occasions were dismembered by the machinations of others. On one occasion, their principal bugle player left them only three days previous to an important engagement which it was impossible to break. Without being disheartened, however, Allen offered to fill his place. A new E flat bugle was procured, and with only three days' practice he performed to the satisfaction of all parties. To those who understand the difficulty of changing from a large to a small mouth-piece, this will appear the more extraordinary, especially when we consider the youth of the performer. Shortly after this occurrence, Charles and Thomas, the third and fourth sons, became members, thus filling all the solo instruments ; and it was only necessary to add the secondary instruments to form a complete band. In 1839, they made their first important improvement by the introduction of an entirely new class of valve instruments, which they called the Nova eber corno, or New York Horn ; the first that was made being a tenor, and filling up the middle harmony, which before had been quite deficient. Then followed bases, sopranos and altos, making the complete set, as now used. About five years after this introduction by the Dodworths, the saxhorn — which is the exact counterpart of their eber corno, and precisely the same arrangement — made its appearance in Europe, and made a complete revolution in the organization of the brass band ; proving that, at least, a singular coincidence ideas had taken place. The second great, and certainly a most important, improvement was the adoption of an entirely new set of instruments with their bells directed over the shoulders, the great advantage of which will at once be seen by any one who has ever marched behind a band. The sound, by this arrangement, is directed toward the company, instead of from it, as was previously the case. This arrangement has since been adopted by many other bands, who previously ridiculed the innovation ; and who, with becoming consistency, refuse to give the credit where it so justly belongs. At this time, the name of the band was changed to their present title: and their success from that period has been constant and unvaried ; they now rank as the best band of its size in the Union. No exertion or expense has been spared to attain this proud position. Their five different and magnificent uniforms have been purchased at their individual expense: and they are now having manufactured a new and beautiful set of silver instruments with improved valves which, when complete, will no doubt be one of the most magnificent set of instruments ever made. All their music is composed or arranged by members, but principally by Allen or Harvey ; some of whose compositions have become widely and justly popular. For concerts or balls, an entire change of instruments is made — violins, flutes, clarinets, etc., being introduced — making out of the same number of men a very efficient orchestra. It is only necessary to .show their popularity, to state that their engagements during the past summer have extended over the States of New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts. Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland. Virginia and Ohio ; and they show, among other testimonials, a beautiful silver goblet presented them by the Hartford Light Guard, on the occasion of Gov. Seymour's inauguration, a splendid base drum by the City Blues, of New York, and a magnificent gold medal by the New York Light Guard, on the 25th of November last, when the band paraded for the first time, 35 men, in their new Hungarian over-coat. Their popularity is widely extended among all classes of the community, and they are frequently cheered by the crowd as they pass. They were engaged to attend all the banquets given in honor of Kossuth ; and, in fact, whenever an extra occasion calls for good music, Dodworth's band is the ne plus ultra. May their shadow never be less. The band, at present, consists of twenty members.”