The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-09-20
THE DAILY DISPATCH.
STRAINS s.d hss sepAis WeIs1.
"a Sketch from the French. bv W n-.m,


IA Sketch from the French. by w. Griilier.l
John Strauss may indeed merit the ep;,he,
ing and soul-stirring music cannot fail "a cc'
quer the most inveterats enemy Of Terns;
chore. Ye sons and daughters of reyelrv
who have Oft listened TO his ever. gushing. in
exhaustible font of melody, cannot ye say with
me that the magic sounds might indeed soothe
hearts, still sighs, dry tears. tame wild beasts,
and even move the stones, themselves7 Ye
must have observed the full and syren-like
beauty and poetry Of his melody, in one
phrase Of which may be found more music
real music, than in many heavy score. And
it is not the melody alone which seizes with
magical influence on the hrain, and finds its
way into every nook and corner of our being,
but the rhythm is Irresistible. His violin r.
the talisman by which he brings forth from
the inward recess of the human soul the
brightest seraphic joy, the deepest. direfui woe,
and then mingles them with Jove like hand
The bow with which he draws these various
colored tones from his instrument is the magic
wand, which, touching the desponding and
griefiorn soul with a precious and healing
balm ofjoy, lends her wings to rise Phonix.
like high, high into the heaven Of peace.
There are numerous waltz compositions az
rich in melody, but few are as rich in that mel
ting rhythm which characterizes the music of
Strauss. By turns skipping, hummng, wallz
ing, gliding, and dancing, so inviting, so irres-
istible that no one-withal dancer-can with
stand their watching and magical influence
He is the idol of women. In every house, on
every piano in Vienna, lie Strauss's waltzes.
He has written over two hundred-all are fla
vortes, all are sung, and trilled, and played
throughout Europe. Plebeian and aristocrst
hum and pipe them, orchestra and barrel-0rgan
play them. We hear them in the street, at the
ball, in the garden, and at the theatre. The
dancing Viennese carry him in triumph on
their shoulders, and shout "Strauss for ever"
the rest Of Europe re-eehoes tine sound and
cries "Strauss for ever"
Strauss, the waltz-hero. loved the daughter
of a count. Sophie was her name. Her eye
as blue as Italy's heaven, and softer than the
sweet light of the evening star. Grace and
beauty shone forth in every motion, and
sweet melody in every tone. He would have
given worlds to have won but one glance of
love from this beautiful being, but she was
cold and stern. Madness indeed il was for q poor
wandering musician, with nothing but his vio-
lin, to dare to love the high. born Sophie, who
had as many noble ancestors as he had waltz
es.
Rash impertinence," said Sophie, and
when he came TO give her brother lesson she
scarcely deigned to give him look. Shortly
afterwards Sophie became the bstrothed of the
Count Robert, Lord Chamberlain, who also
could boast as many proud ancestors as the fair
Sophie, but beyond these and his titles he had
nothing else.
One day Strauss chanced to be alone with
Sophie; he sank upon his knees before her, and
with the burning words Of the maddening pas
sion, declared his love, and besought her to
give him but one word Or look ere he was
driven to despair. But no tears or protestations
could move her, she was a. cold and unfeeling
as the inanimate marble. 81 am the affianced
bride of Count Robert" she said, haug htiIy,
land if il were otherwise, think you would
become the wife of poor musician7" She
turned scornfully away end left him alone in
his grief and despair. The repentance which
soon awoke in the heart Of Sophie came too
late. The bridegroom sad her father hastened
the nuptial day; in eight days she would be-
come the wife of Count Robert. The cers
mony was to be perforrssd in the grand saloon
of the city, and the Count called on Strauss to
request him TO lead the orchestra on the ocea.
sion, and to honor his bride with the compost.
ton Of a new waltz.
Strauss, the most miserable man in Gods
universe, promised him both. "He wishes 10
wound me yet more deeply" said the unhappy
man to himself, "but 1 pardon him, and my
that she never repent her choice"
But his waltz! q thought strikes him, it shall
be the Interpreter Of his passion and his grief
to Sophie, it should challenge her pity, If not
her love. oh! what gisdous power, to be able
to speak, to reproach, TO plead; and through
his divine art. To work! to work!
When all the great city slept, Strauss took
his violin, opened his window, gazed out into
the cold night, and in,provised and moaned
forth his sad tale of woe to the sweet stars
above, who looked kindly down on the DESC
late and hearfastricken.
The day of the wedding came at last. i he
fearful agony of love had given him waltz.
every measure Of which spoke longing sor,
row and ,iespairing woe. The hall glisfened
and shone with bright jewels and brighter eyes,
but Sophie was more gioriousiy benuuful ihan
them all, The richest gems lent their beauty
and their lustre; the pure myrtle wreath
bloomed in her golden hair, and the rare and
costly veil shaded her beautiful features from
the full gaze OF the admiring crowd.
Strauss, haggard, emaciated man, with
brilliant and piercing black eyes, sharp, and
strongly marked features, dressed from head
TO foot in black, as though he had assumed
this mourning livery for the bride now dead to
him. stood sad and silent in the gallery above,
directing the movements OF the orchestra-
Sophie danced now with one, now with ano-
rher OF the we dding guests, and as often as she
paused after the giddy ~hirl Of the dance, she
turned her eyes towards the pale and grief
stricken Strauss, in his robes OF sorrow and
mourning, and each time met his piercing look
OF despairing love.
twas more tina. pity she felt-it vas re-
morse, it was kindled love; a terrible pam
awoke in her heart, like the ssehng o
stream. growing ever deeper and wider 10 its
onward Course, !. .hich threatened to ovsIvheim
and destroy he, a.. iSy .o.ss.d ~ss.s 's ws,s s..s
rsye the sigpal for the performance OF
h;s .a ne~ sair5. The gay dancers stood up,
s, Sophie on ID. arm Of o. happy M bridegroom.
All stand spell bonad s,n Inc nag nsc ,.s, wens -
dance. they gszs in -onder up al, the pale
man in black. whose efief-torn soul breathss
ou. it's woe through bic beloved insarnmens:-
His bow moved with bis hears, me sp'nr
moves in unison. The bridegroom leads OF
the dance, aud Strauss. With fascinated. Tear
iul eyes, snd torn heart, foiiows the Tying pair