The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-07-23

windows were covered Win hoarfrost, and yet only
few dying embers burned upon the hearth. Eli
Their the old mans mind was too deeply engrossed
to think of feeding the flame, perhaps his scanty
resources needed careful outstanding to meet the
expenses of his approaching journey
| In truth, the aspect OF the room bespoke state
of want rather than Of afiuence. A bed with cur
tains of faded green serge, few antique arm-chairs
of vanished wood covered with well-worn tapestry,
walnuttable and harpsichord, composed Its entire
furniture Theharpsichord was strewed with music,
partly in manuscript; and flying sheet, covered
with nearly ilegible notes, and dsfgured by nu-
merous erasures, showed what was the old mans
recent employment. The occupier of this desolate
abode was between fifty and sixty years of age.
His lofty forehead, encircled by locks of silver
gray, beamed with intelligence although he APP
| peared bowed down beneath the weight of some
great affection. A dark fire kindled in his hazel
| eyes; and his cheeks, glowing with one bright
feyersh spot Of hectic color, conrasted strangely
with the deadly paeness which overspread the rest
| of his countenance. When the knapsack was made
up, the old man approached the table, on which lay
an open letter, stamped with the Vienna postmark.
He took il up, and stood awhile with his eyes fixed
on its contents, though it only contained these few
words:
"MY DEAR UNCLE: Pardon me the grief which
am occasoning you; but, implicated IN an unhappy
transaction, have just received an order to quit
absent myself ] beseech you to come to my aid
You alone can save me. Adleu.
"JoHN.n
This letter came from nephew he had brought
up, and whose disorderly conduct had rendered ne
cessary the rigorous mandate which now banshed
him from the capital.
When the old man had perused il once more, he
appeared confirmed in his resolution and with his
knapsack in one hand, and his walking-stck in the
other, he prepared to set out But, reaching the
threshold, he turned back; and, casting look of
deep regret on this modest asylum, where he had
long and happily dwelt, he sighed. Then, as if at
tracted by magic charm, he returned to his harp
sichord, and quickly laying down what he held in
his hands, he ran his fingers over the discolored
notes of the instrument His gloomy and detected
COUNT h6hce was gradually lighted up with an ex-
pressb n of intense happiness, and sublime strain
asce9ded towards heaven, a fitting hymn of praise
to thS Almighty.
As NJ plunged into these regions of harmony, it
seemed d if his spirit had bid adeu to earth, and
scared to the realms above in search of consolation
But soon all was again silent; the old man wept !;
he heaved deep SIGH and exclaimed" And to
think that | can hear nothing!'' Alas he was
deaf.
The poor pilgrim again took up his staff, and set
forth on his journey. At the turning of the street,
he once more looked round on the humble dwelling
Ic,
shut out by his nfrmlty from the sounds of the
external world. Music for him only existed ,oiitin
the soul. He walked on into the country; for, by
way of outstanding his small store, he was going
on foot from Baden to Vienna. The evening closed
IN; the old man stopped before peasants cottage.
He had presumed too much on his strength having
expected, before night closed in to reach Vienna,
from which the village of Baden is only ten leagues
distant. He had walked vigorously but night APP
preached, and he felt his strength failing him. He
knocked at the door young girl opened it, ask
ing him what he wanted The old man, who
guessed her question from the movement of her
lips, replied, " Hospitality, my good girl" "Come
IN then, there Is always welcome at my fathers
hearth for the benghted traveller" Thus cordially
invited, ne entered large room, where the frugal
evening repast was smoking upon homely table.
cover was quickly laid for him near the father Of
the family, and he sat down at table with the
friendly household group. After supper, he seated
himself in an old eathern armchair by the CHM
newcomer: cheerful fire blazed upon the hearth
The mother and daughter cleared the table, whilst
the father opened old harpschord, and the three
sons took down their instruments which hung
against the wall. They consisted of an alto,
viooncello, and hautboy.
The performers attuned their instruments; the
mother and daughter seated themselves with their
work near the fire, where single lamp afforded
the neetfu light The father gave the signal, and
the four musicians began piece with that ensemble
with that knowledge of measure which the Ger
mans possess beyond all other nations. BY de-
grees their eyes kindled divers emotions were de-
plcted on their countenances; they abandoned them
selves TO the ardor of the sentiment with which
| they were transported. The two women listened
| whilst they almost held in their breaths. Their
| work fell from their hands. The music ceased
they exchanged looks Of deght-the young girl
kissed her fathers gray hairs with emotion-they
forgot the presence Of their guest He had followed
all their movements with longing eye; for his
deafness prevented his hearing a single note of the
music which had so deeply affected them.
"Oh how happy you are he said with falter-
ing voice. ''to be able enjoy this delicious plea
sure! Alas it is long since | have been able to
hear either the human voice, or music, which is
the voice of God. When go out to mediate in
the forest, Jeeiindeed the wind which blows around
me, but hear not its mighty voice, while il shakes
the trees, or murmurs among the leaves, mingling
with the general harmony Of nature. When | re-
turn from my walk at the close of a fine summers
day, can indeed see the young shepherdess as she
leads her flock to be watered at the fountain, but
cannot hear either her Joyous song or the tngling
sound of the sheep-bes. | can see the lark fly
swiftly TO the valley where her nest lies hidden but
hear not her melodious voice mingling with the
whisper Of the breeze. Oh, music! harmony! it
is my life but, alas its poeal expression is lost to
me forever Let me, pray you, read the pages
which have so deeply stirred you" He rose, took
the sheet in his hand, sudden paeness overspread
his features, he sunk upon his seat overwhelmed
with emotion
He had just read upon the cover "Allegreuo,
from the Pastoral Symphony of Beethoven" All
gathered around him, and inquired the cause of his
agitation. When he was able at length to COM
mand his voice, he from his seat and said, III
am Beefhorenf" At the sound Of this name the
father lifted his woollen cap from his head and the
sons bowed with the deepest reverence Beethoven
pressed their hands in his, and wept for Joy The
good peasants kissed these venerated hands; for
this man they felt was the genius who had tighten
ed for them the daily burden Of life-he genius so
honored in Vienna that when he took his daily walk
the passers-by exclaimed, "There is Beethoven
and silently made way for him, lest they should
interrupt his medItations. The peasants looked
with unwearied delight on that marble brow, where
grief had indeed stamped its fatal marks, but which
! still was encircled with the halo Of genius
Beethoven then seated himself at the harpsi.
chord, and desiring the young people to take up
their instruments, he played for them his owr
symphony. Ii was a moment Of unspeakable hap
piness.
! When they had finished, Beethoven i,npropisec
sublime melodies: his spirit, breaking through tn,
/ bonds which unclaimed him to earth, seemed tc