Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-09-25
Translated for the Journal
TRAUGOTT,
A FANTASTIC GERMAN TALE.
CONTINUED

CONTINUED
The door was opened by the little page
dressed in the ancient national costume OF
Germany, he looked sweeter than ever. Irau-
gott was Immediately admitted into vast hall
finely Illuminated, in the middle OF which ne
found the old painter seated upon stool, and
bofora him canvass, of large dimensions, COW
cred with grey colored paint "Thou art
y;obt welcome" said he, and after pause,
"a am now giving the last touch to this Ia
beau, that you see; its composition has cost
N. world of labor. This shall be PARADISE
RECLAIMED: | intend it as the companion
Of work representing PARADISE LOST. What
think YOU of the conception See how fine
" are blended in that group beauties borrow
ed from every realm OF nature. Methlnks
thou should feel, in presence Of all this sub
lime and poetic magnifcence, vague revela-
ton of the eternal splendors which attend the
elect"
Speaking thus, Berklinger passed his finger
bv turns over different parts OF the canvass
He prayed Traugott to admire, IN PARTICULAR
with what skill the lights and shades were
harmonized How flowers, fruits, and pre-
c;ous stones, were scattered here and there, in
gorgeous profusion, while fantastic animals,
wildly disporting in the bosom of wondrous
vegetation, seemed still to acknowledge the
supremacy of men, who, in strange garb,
walked forth among them with the aspect OF
command.
AS the old painter speaking, gazed upon the
canvass, he became more and more excited.
"O!" cried he, to one of the imaginary fl
cures, "may the fires OF thy diamond crown
always sparkle as now. For me, alone,
let fall the sacred band of Isis, with which
thou veilest thy front from the gaze of the
impious. Why thus press upon thy bosom
the folds of thy sombre robe, when | would
read thy heart? 1t is in that secret spot
there lies concealed that gem of Science
before which all mysteries vanish. Ar
thou not all that l ann Why marchest
thou from me with such hasty strides a
Wouldst thou, then, battle with thy master
Dost thou believe that the ruby, which, like
some magic Egis, blazes upon thy heart, car
cast It's red glare of sadness into mine? Down
down, and obey me for it is | that have
brought thee into life, and that am thy Crea
tor -
In the midst OF this singular wandering, the
venerable man tainted Traugott sprang for
ward to assist him, and the page also hastily
approached. The old painter soon seemed
plunged into slumber, and the two seated them
selves at his side.
d" You now know, my dear sir" said The
page to Traugott, in soft and gentle tones
" the sad situation of my father. A fatal des
tiny has withered in him the flowers of life
for some years that love of art, for which a
lone he lives, has bruised the secret springs o
his mind. He remains seated for whole days
before his canvass; in wild delirium, and will
fixed gaze, he seeks there features and color
which exist only in his imagination. He fan
cies himself painting, and you have seen will
what rapture he describes the marvellous fan
tastes which he believes he has created
There is Joined with that mystic idea, which
constantly pursues him, and which condemns
me to life of sadness | am forced to sub
nit to future, which overwhelms me witt
all the weight of irresistible fate. But VIII.
should sa lden you with suferings to whicl
you should remain always stranger Fol
low me into that neighboring chamber, wher
you will see some works of my father, execu
ted at the time when his genius blazed witt
the brightest lustre.
Traugott was struck dumb with amazement
when his young companion introduced hin
into a gallery of paintings, of which eacl
might have done honor to the proudest master
of the Flemish school. Most of these repre-
scented small scenes, such as The Return from
the Chase, Party of Pleasure, Concert; Blu
small as they were, these works were dlstin
guished by a fneness of execution, and
stamp of truthfulness most remarkable. TIL
character of the different physiOgnomies offer
ed, above all, an examination truly extraordi
nary. Traugott was about to retire, when h
discovered, near the door, painting who's
appearance fixed him to the spot with speech
less and inanimate admiration.
1t was that of young woman of marvel
lous beauty, robed in the poetic costume o
ancient Germany-this celestial figure present
ed so exact resemblance to the son of Berk
Gnger, that Traugott could not restrain feel
ing of surprise For brilliancy of coloring
and perfection in design, it was not surpasse
by the best works of Van Dyck. Its eyes
beaming with melancholy fire, appeared to fl,
themselves upon Traugott, with an inet1abl
suavity of expression, while its half close
lips seemed about to suffer the escape of melo
dies divine.
The rapture OF the young artist was inter
rupted by the page, who, hastily approaching
warned him to retire, for he had reason t
dread the anger of his father, should he ava
ken and find the stranger within his most pr
yate apartment But still the young arts
gazed, unable to withdraw his eyes. "Ah !
said he, at last have found the Spirit Low
my soul so long has sought; that sweet kin
drel thrill that ever has greeted me from
the beautiful in nature and art The imag
on the wall reflects one in nv heart a