Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1850-05-15

Is leWel! But win ease anu rapidly.
the band has commenced playing an un-
known air. and the next instant NJ. Du-
Pont is standing up with strange and
wild look flushed and still was every
breath; the audience looked at each 9TH
er: not word of communication takes
place; men shudder, or rather tremble
with emotion. But the first stanZa is en-
ded; and then frantic shout, starting
of all to their feet. wild shrek of delight
a cry of a thousand voices laundering the
chorus, shows how the song has electri-
fled them.
NJ. Dupont frowned, for the .air and the
song were not new to him it was the
..Song Of the Army Of the Rhine" he
had refused that morning! But Claudne
proceeds; again the audience is hushed in
death-like silence: while the musicians
reused to an unusual degree of enthusi
aSm, played admirably; and Claudine.
still singing with all the Purity.i feeling
and energy of her admirable voice, plung-
ed her eyes into every corner OF the
house-in vain! At each couplet the en-
thusiasm Of the people became greater.
the anxiety Of the singer more intense
At length she concluded, and never did
applause more hearty, more tremendous,
more uproarious. greet the voice of pub
lie songstress. The excitable population
of Marsciles seemed mad.
When silence was restored, Claudine
spoke .Citoyens and citoyennes!" she
exclaimed, ''this song is both written and
composed by Young and unknown man,
who has in vain sought to put his compo-
sitions before the public. Everybody has
refused them. For myself. thought this
the greatest musical effort Of modern
times; and as such practised it to-day;
and. unknown to the author. and the
band prepared this surprise. But the au
thor is not here. Poor and despairing.
he is at home lameniing his unapprecia-
ted efforts. Let US awake him: let him
learn that the generous people of Mar
seilles can understand and feel great mu-
sic. Come, let all who have hearts follow
me and chant the mighty song as we 60"
And Claudine, stepping across the or
chestra, landed in the pit, and, bare head
ed, light dressed as she was, rushed to-
ward the door, followed by every specta-
tor and by the musicians, who. however,
Al / Al = I
and cap on the excited and generous
young songstress.
Meanwhile the composers dreadful re-
solve was being carried out. The horrid
fumes Of the charcoal filled the room:
soon they began to consume and exhaust
the pure air, and the wretched youth felt
all the pangs of coming death. Hunger
exhaustion, and despair kindled a kind Of
madness in his brain: wild shapes dane
ed around him: his many songs seemed
sung altogether by coarse, husky voices,
that made their sound. punishment; and
then the blasted atmosphere expressing
his chest, darkening his vision. his room
seemed tenanted by myrads Of internal
and deformed beings. Then again he
closed his eyes, and soft memory stealing
in upon him, showed him happy visions o
his youth, Of his mother, Of love, and
hope, and JOY; Of green fields, and the
murmuring brooks which had first reveal
ed melody unto his soul, and the young
man thought that death must be come
and that he was oQ the Threshold Of {
better world.
But an awful shout, tremendous clam
or, burst on his ear: a thousand voice:
roar beneath his window. The youn.
man starts from his dream: what is thi.
he hears!
"Aux armes. Citoyens,
Former vos battallons, &c.
/ "What is ,his!' he cries. "My Son.
of the Rhine!' -
He listens \ beautiful and clea
voice was singing; i. was still his song
and then the terrible chorus is taken VI
by the people; and the poor composer
first WISH Is gained: ne leels that ne IS ID
NOUS But he is dying, choked. s,ifle'
with charcoal. He lies senseless. faint
ing Oh his bed: but hope and JOY CAV
him strength. He rises. falls rather thai
darts across the room, sword in hand
One blow shivers the panes OF his windo'
to atoms; tie broken glass lie, in the coo
sea-breeze and the splendid song. Bot
gave life to the young man. and whe
Claudine entered the roem, the youn
man was able to stand In ten minute
he had supped in the porter's lodge. dres:
ed, and come out. where that night h
heard, amid renewed applause. his glor
Gus song sung between every act. an