The herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1835-1837, 1837-01-20

Hermann and RodoIphe, the power Oh
Music,
Hermann was one of those men 70 who" nd "n =
seems to have taken pleasure In giving uou 'I &c
destination He had in him at once .ne hp os
every virtue and of every vice. ne os
re S,har xbIe he was vet in his cradle. brought
nm nv his mother feeble and without foresight nc
reached his nineteenth year without ever having met
the least opposition to his WILL ana MS claiaoei
doveoned itself as ardent obstinate, tyrnnncal ana
yindctive having no other appreciation OF nght OF
wrong than his own impression at the moiich.'
which a passion gratfed or opposed. ~ ousht
however to be remarked, that each deformlty Oh ms
character was but tho exaggeraon or the rregulany
of a virtuous princpe-so that it depended entreiy
ON circumstances, whether this slngularly tempered
man should become scoundrel or a nero:
Kindness goodness and resignation distinguished
Rodo phe from his headstrong and passionate friend
Well educated and modest persuasive and not llnpe-
rous his first Impressions were not decidedly favor
able bat his success was the more durable, his con-
nexion the more charming, as he had not taken by
surprise, nor commanded applause; easy, indulgent
and constant in his friendship, peaceable and simple
in his tastes there was, nevertheless, one tmng
which could arouse him from that happy calmness
which constituted his character, and transport MN
into the highest cnthusasm-lt was music ,
Ii was music ALSO which, joining two men so niue
formed for each other, had tied fast between Her
mann and Rodolphe the knot OF friendship. pom oi
them directed by K, pupil of the famous oeoas-
tan Bach they followed the steps OF their master
and promised TO Germany, alreauy ~ iioh ~ ~
illustration, two yet greater celebrities.
What rendered the circumstances of these young
men particularly remarkable, was that Though tneir
talents were developed by the same distinguished
MASTER vet each preserved distinctly the oflgAahy
of his own genius that it would have been dlffcu 10
believe that they were of the same school OF music
Grave and serious harmonious and sweet, were the
inspirations of Rodolphe-pioud, singular ana unor
namen,ed were those of Hermann In the music OF
the 6rst there was charm which threw you in.o ex
al pUadv coul state OF raVlSn-
ment-it had with it something celestial Inc music
of the other agitatcd troubled youfroze your heart
with fear, and then it would make your blood boil IN
your veins-it had in 1t something internal.
There was no jealousy between these two-they
pursued the same career, by two routes SO DIFFERENT
that each of them might look to become frst OF his
own STYLE There was occasion TO apprehend mat
either would surpass the other for there existed
between them no point OF comparison ana .ney mlgn1
both be heard in the concert, without injury to
either. 1t was of no consequence which one COM
menced, or which finished they were always equally
received by unanimous applause, ana thclr intimacy
had never been disturbed by single cloud.
But though upon the summit OF an arr there may De
place for two-though to reach the same celebrity as
artists one may, without wandering, be engaged In
Two opposite paths yet is thus In the career OF
love- The heart of a woman IS not TO be shared, ana
there is but one path be followed to gam Its pos
sesslon-and there was the rock upon which the
friendship of Hermann and Rodolphe was destined to
split.
They had met at concert-it was al the mousse Oh
the minister Fischer whose daughter June hau not
vet been into company =. =
Julie was sixteen years DID, with Raphael like n
cure a tender heart and cultivated mind. She was
most excellent musician, and on thus occasion, her
kind mother presented her for inc nrst ume 10 tie
world, with pride mingled with tender sohcitude,
which only master knows when ne presents the
pupil which is to procure him honor and insure his
reputation. f.,
Julie was mild and complaisant-she discoursed
nfia
pieces of music without waiting for repeated socita
tions-receiyed the Communications with modesty, and
won ali hearts-she won especially those of Hermann
and Rodolphe- :,
IL was Rodolphe's lot TO occupy the piano with Ju-
lie They played a four-handed piece. Never were
the hearts of two artists better made TO understand
each other-the same sweetness OF expression the
exultation of happy and pure Inauguration. from
the very prelude, their thoughts mingled their spirits
were transported to superior reglon-ii was no lon
Ger their fingers il was their soul which swept the
keys-it might have been called concert OF angels.
The sounds of the instrument had ceased for long
time and there silence more eloquent than the
loudes applause which burst forth from all sides when
the company Weakened from It's ecstacy.
At length the turn of Hermann camc-but IN his
veins was already flowing the poison OF jealousy
More qucksighted than the rest of the spectators for
suddenly possessed of new and exclusive emotior
his heart was more interested IN the events lie had
seen in the wonderful performance of Julie and 10
dophe not the others had, the intelligence OF TWO
artists but what was perhaps more true the inteli-
gance of two lovers. -
Meantime Hermann was about TO place himself IN
the same position which Rodolphe had occupled-it
was his task TO make il turn to the same advantage
he had hopes of it. The fire which was devourlng
his soul passed into his fngers-the passion the very
madness of playing surprised and transported the au-
dence-but they were without effect upon Julie. In
vain Hermann redoubled his efforts 10 strike enc
spark of light int that soul, which comprehended
him nohe found her at the close OF the piece,
cold and disconnected.
Surrounded and felicitated after having Quilted the
piano, he would have scattered the applauders and
dashed the instrument in pieces. lie would have Ia
ken pleasure had he the power, IN changing TINS Ia
miIy festival ihto day of tears and lamentauon.
From that fatal evening, Hermann separated HIM
selffrom Rodophe and neglected his excellent mas
ter. His heart was wholly occupied with the daily
renew ed remembrance of his defeat and the triumph
of his rival.
K was consoled for the absence of Hermann
by the sustained assduity of Rodophe but 1t was
impossible for hun TO understand the cause OF his pu-
pills astonishing progress Rodophe had second
and m are skllfu master, viz love. Julie IN
spiraton more powerful TO nourlsh his enthusiasm.
Five months passed away, during which the soul of
Hermann reached the highest degree of passion and
despair. The young man once so robust and full Of
life now resembled specre-he was SO emaciaed,
NO eShausted-hs eye sunk IN his head but yet CLAN
cling lightning from beneath the heavy dark eyebrows
which overhung them.
One evening he appeared suddenly at the house of
his master-it the night before the celebration of
Rodsphe and jules marriage.
Nhero IN RadoIpholD asked he, with n Quick. i'm