Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1851-06-12

Lind OF the time ana ptdc1 luz
house was crowded. and the first
act succeeding beyond all exPecta-
ton, the audience were in eestacy.
''She IS a lewelp' said NJ. Dppont,
who from a private box, admired the
great supporter Of his theatre. A
roar Of applause from the PIT, de-
lighted at this instant, the good mans
ears. Claudine, called before the cur
tain, was bowing to the audisnce.-
But what is thisi Instead OF her
going of, she has just signed TO the
orchestra to play. She is about TO
show her gratitude to the audience
in verse. M. Dupont rubbed his
hands, and repeats twice between
his teeth, "She is jewell''e But
with ease and rapidity, the band had
commenced PLAYING an unknown air,
and the next instant, Nj. Dupont is
standing up with an unknown and
wild look. flushed and still was
every breath; the audience looked at
each other; not a word OF communi-
cation takes place; men shudder, or
rather tremble with emotion. But
the first sianza is ended, and then a
frantic shout, a starting Of all to their
feet, wild shrek OF delight, a cry
of a thousand voices numbering the
chorus, show how the song has cleo
trifed them. - .--. La.t.
M. Dupont frowPed, for the air
and the song were not new TO him;
il was the "Song OF the Army OF the
Rhine" he had refused that morning.
But Claudine proceeds; again the au-
dience is hushed in death-like silence,
while the musicians reused TO an un-
usual degree OF enthusiasm, admira-
bly,; and Claudine still singing with
all the purity, feeling and energy Of
her admirable voice, plunged her
eyes into every corner Of the house
in vain. At each couplet the en-
thusiasm of the people became grea-
ter, 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 public song
stress. The excitable population Of
Marseilles seemed mad.
When silence was restored, Claudine
spoke-tACitoyens and Citoyenfies!"
she exclaimed, "this song is both writ
ten and composed by young and un-
known man, who has in vain sought to
put his compositions before the public.
Everybody has refused them. For my
self, thought this the greatest musical
effort of modern times, and as such
practised it to day, and unknown 10
manager or author, | and the band pre-
pared this surprise. But the author is
not here. Poor and despairing, he is at
home lamcnting his unappreciated ef-
iortsl Let us awake him, let him learn
that the generous people of Marseilles
cen understand and feel great music. =
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 barehead-
ed, light dressed as she was, rushed to-
wards the door, followed by every spec
tator and by the musicians, who. how
ever, put on their hats, and even threw
a cloak and cap on the excited and gen.
erous young songstress. Fq l-.
Meanwhile the composers dreadful
resolve was being carried out. The
horrid fumes of the charcoal filled the
room; soon they began to consume and
exhaust the pure air, and :he wretched
youth felt all the pangs of coming death
Hunger. exhaustion, and despair kin
died a kind of madness in his brain
wild shapes danced around him; his
many songs seemed sung all together
by hoarse husky voices. that made theil
sound punishment, and then the bias
ted atmosphere depressing his chest
darkening his vision, his room seemed
tenanted by myrads of Internal and de-
formed beings. Then again he closed
his eyes, and soft memory stealing ir
upon him. showed him many happy Wis
ions OF his youth, OF his mother, of love
of hope and Joy; of green fields ant
the murmuring brooks which had frs
revealed melody into his soul; and the
young man thought that death must be
come, and that he was on the threshold
of better world. ....o ,-.r.,.J
But an awful shout, a tremendous
clamor burst on his cara thousand
voices roar beneath his window. Th'
young man starts from his dream; wha
Is this he hearst 0s- srw 3iv .rro
@Aux armiesl .citoyens,
Formez vos baitalions," etc.
"What is thisl" he cries, my SON.
of the RhineI" bes z-s.f, vr
He listens. A beautiful clear yoicl
is singing; it is still his song. and thel
the terrible chorus is taken up by tn,
people, and the poor composers. frs
wish is gained, he feels that he is IA
imous.
But he is dying, checked. siAed witt
icharcoaI. He lies senseless, faintin,
tun his bed, but hope and Joy give hin
strength. He rises, falls rather, thel
darts across the room, his sword iD hand
tOne blow shiyers the panes Of his-win