Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-09-18
Translated for the Journal

-" Ich SINCE vie der Vogel sing.
Der in den Zweigen wohnet
Das Lied, das aus der Kehe dringt,
Ist Lohn, der reichlich iohnet."
In the middle of the old town of Dantzig,
there stands an ancient Hall Hoary and VEN
cradle, it's grim outlines are crowned by thick
wreaths of ivy.
Here, at certain hours, do men OF all coun-
tries assemble, engaged in various traffic. 1t
is called The COURT OF ARTUs. Let the stran-
ger, whom curiosity leads to this spot, come
when no longer the sound of human voices
echo along its lofty ceiEngs-when no foot
steps resound upon the tessellated floor, and
it's tall columns are rolled in silence.
Listen, gentle one, while l tell thee tale
of this ancient Hall.
A dim light, with soft and velvet effulgence,
plays among the paintings on the colored glass.
A multitude of figures, sculptured capriciously
here and there about the court, take animation
from the dancing rays. Fantastic animals,
extending to the ceiling their immense wings,
seem, like hunters from lower world, to
chase the approaching darkness Fast as the
day wanes towards its decline, the statue of
the ancient king, which stands immovable in
the middle ofthe hall, assumes the appearance
of shadowy phantom. The frescos, where
each virtue and vice is painted, lose in the
magic effect OF the changing light, their own
character, in the subject they are made to re-
present The virtues dissolving in the uncer-
tain tintsiof the brown twilight that spreads
around tle roof; while the vices, represented
under the forms OF women, sweety beautiful,
stand out from each distant niche like appari-
tons of angels! They seemed brotherhood
OF Holy people,
But, gentle reader, thine eyes, see, are
turned with curious gaze upon that circular
fresco, where the caprice of some artist of the
olJen time, has represented the ancient bur-
gbers of Dantzig in all the splendor of their
ceremonial robes. With pleased wonder, dost
thou gaze at the long array Seated upon
grand horses, caparisoned from head to foot,
right so!emnly do they follow in that long cor
tege. See the arquebusier with his glittering
tube beaming in the sunlight. How pulled
the round cheeks of the strutting musicians
One NAV almost hear the sound of their trum-
pets How sllillful an artist!
AM truly, dear reader, little as thou know
est to sketch upon canvass, bend not thine
eyes upon this master piece of art, thinking
thou alone shall not wish to. sketch copy
with thy pencil. His heart is hard, indeed,
who would not have that one grand looking
hurgmester and his gentle page, forever before
his eyes,
But it was the qualification of desire so
natural and irresistible, that doomed the young
merchant, Traugott, as shall presently be seen,
to the very deep of troubles.
Just opposite the painting, there formerly
stood tables, covered with writing materials,
for the use of the merchants. "Adyise our
friend and correspondent of Hamburg, that the
business we spoke of is Finished" said Master
Elias Roos to the young man, soon as he found
himself near enough in the crowd to be heard
And he spoke too, in gentle tones, | ween
for the youth was shortly to become the spouse
of Christiana, his daughter.
Seating himself at one of the tables, and ia
king pen and paper, the young Traugott pre-
pared to obey his master. Looking up for /;
moment, he began with dashing pen, but found
to his surprise, instead Of words, his pen woult
describe alone two figures OF the tableau
whose appearance, whenever he gazed upol
them, had ever caused in his soul sadness
indefinable-a man of severe countenance
whose face was shaded by his dark beard an
gloomy costume, mounted upon horse an
led by little page, who, from the delicacy Q
his features, and the graceful curls OF his vel
low hair. one might readily mistake for cir
Near the imposing figure OF the old man, tina
of the child stood out from the fresco, with
charm divine.
Whenever 1'raugott entered the Court O
; Artus, his eye involuntarily sought these sam
two figures. Long had they exercised owe
his soul species of magnetic fascination, an
, when again he found himself in their presence
the pen slipped from his fingers the body sti
and immovable, while the soul roamed at larg
: in the regions OF fancy.
: A heavy hand, at this moment laid upo
his shoulder, awoke him from his reverie, an
a deep voice slowly said, 'sGood, most goo
E for thee, young man, thou wilt make in tim
a proper merchant
Traugott sprang from his chair and turne
J to the speaker. Did he dream? No; thur
n derstruck, he saw behind him the sombre pc
e sonage and the young page, who seemed
: sweet young girl in disguise, smiling upo
{ him with an intoxicating charm. 60, God,
J. said Traugott, in establishment, &c they are il
d deed the same!'' At this moment, the crow
of merchants leaving the hall passed betwee
: The vision disappeared; alonethe young me
$ chant stood in front of his neglected lette
e Among the last of the crowd, Master Elias
II length approached, accompanied by two III
9 known persons. "How is this, my son,
a said he. "Why art thou thus transfixed lii
v some stone saint in its niche! Hast thou de
patched the intelligence directed - The POI