New-York daily tribune., 1845-02-07
demand coarse work long prepara,ions.-long


But genius heeds them not, but searches and
searches the atmosphere with irresistible parity,
I'LL they also are peryaded be the delicate infiu-
ence which, too subtle for their ears and eyes, en-
ers with the air they breathe, through the pores
of the skin.
The life Of Beethoven IS written in his works,
and all that can be told of his life beside is bat as
marginal notes on that broad page Yetsince we
have these notes, it is pleasant TO have them in
harmony with the page. The acts and words OF
Beethoven are what we should expect, noble, leo
nine, impetuous, but tender His faults are the
faults of one SO great that he found few paths
wide enough for his tread and knew not how to
moderate it. They are not faults in themselves,
but only in relation TO the men who surrounded
him. Among his peers he would not have had
faults. As it is they hardly deserve the name
His acts were generally great and benignaut: on
ly in transports of sudden passion az what he
thought base did he ever injure any one. II he
found himself mistaken, he could not humble him.
self enough but far outwent,in his contriuon,what
was due to those he had offended Soft is aptto
be with magnanimous and tender natures theywill
humble themselves in way that those OF coarser
or colder make think shows weakness or want OF
proper pride. But they do so because 4 little dis
cord and little wrong is as painful to them as
great deal 10 others.
In one of his letters to young friend, Bee
thoovcn thus humbly confesses his errors:
81 could not converse with you and yours with
that peace mind which could have desired, forthe
late wretched alteration was hovering before me,
showing me my own desplcable conduct. But so
II was; and what would | not give, could obte
rate from the page of my life this past action, so
degrading 10 my character and so unlike my usual
proceedings"
Ii seems this action of his was not Of impor
tauce in the eyes of others. OF the causes which
acted upon him at such times he gives inuma-
tons in another letter
'sI had been wrought into this burst of passion
bv many an unpleasant circumstance OF an earlier
date have the gift of conceallng and restraining
nv iritabiitv on many subjects; but If happen 10
be touched at any time when | am more than
usually susceptible OF anger, burst forth more vlo
ently than any one else. b. has doubtless most eX-
cellen qualities, but he thinks himself utterly With
out faults and vet Is most open TO those Tor which
he blames others. He has ttleness of mind
which have held in contempt since my infancy.
AS correspondent example of the manner in
which true greatness apologises for its errors, we
must quote a letter lately made public from Sir
Isaac Newton to Mr.. Locke:
"Sm Being of opinion that you endcavored to
embroil me with women, and by other MEANS |
was so much affected wlthit, as when one told me
YOU were sicky and would not live, answered
hatt "A pperp IN
forgive me this uncharltabeness, tor am now sat
tilted that what You have done IS just, and beg
your pardon for having had hard thoughts Of you
for IT, and for representing that yoa struck al the
root of moralIy, IN a principle you la!d In your
book of ideas and designed TO pursue in another
book and that | took you for a Hobbst. beg
vour pardon also for saying or thinking that there
was design 10 sell Inc office or to embroIl me.
am your most humble and unfortunate servant.
rs. NEWTON.
And this letter. observe, was quoted as proof
OF insanity in Newton. Locke, however, shows
by his reply that he did not think the power of
full sincerity and elevation above self.love proved
man TO be insane.
At happy period Beethoven thus unveils
the generous sympathies of his heart:
"Mv compositions are well paid, and NAV say
| have more orders than can well execute; six or
seven publishers and more beng ready TO take any OF
nv works: need no longer submit 10 being bar
gained with ask my terms, aud am paid. You
see this is an excellent thing; as, for Instance see
a friend in want, and my purse does not at the mo-
ment permit me 10 assist him, have but 10 SIT down
and write, and my friend Is no longer IN need"
Some additional particulars are given in the
letters collected by Moscheles the struggles of
his mind coming on OF deafness. This calamity
falling upon the greatest genius of his time, in
the prime of manhood, a calamity which threaten
ed TO destroy, not only all enjoyment OF life, but
the power of using the vast treasure with which
he had been endowed for the use of all men, casts
common ills so into the shade that they can
scarcely be seen. Who dares complain, since
Beethoven could resign himself TO such an i'll at
such time as this ?
"This beautiful country of mine, what was my
lot in ii! The hope OF happy mturity. Thismisht
now be realized If l were freed from my aillictlon
Oh freed from that should compass the world
feel it, my youth is but beginnius-have ! not
hitherto been but sickly creature T? My physical
powers have for some time been materially lncrcaS
ing those Of my mind likewise; feel myself near
er and nearer the mark-l feel, but cannot describe
it. This alone s,he vital principle oyour Beethoven
No rest for me, | know of none but IN sleep, and l
grieve al having 10 sacrifice TO II more time than
have hitherto deemed necessary. Take but one
half of nv disease from me, and | will return TO
YOU maturcd and accomplished man, renewing
ihe ties of our friendship for you shall see me as
happy as may be IN this subunary world--not a;
a sutfcrer-no, that would be- more Than ceuid
hear. | will blunt the sword Of taie-it shall not
utterly destroy me. How beautiful ii is 10 live
thousand lives in one No, am not made for
retired he-l feel II.
He did blunt the sword of fate; he did 1--we
thousand lives in one; hut that sword had
power to inflict deep and poisoned wound ;
those thousand lives cost him thepangs of a
thousand deaths. He, born for perpetual
conquest, was condemned through life to re-
signation' Let any man, disposed 10 complain
of his own ills, read the "Will Of Beethoven !;
and see if he dayes speak of himself above whis-
per, after.
The matter of interest new to US in this Eng
ish bool, is in notes and appendix. Schindlers