The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1854-10-25
THE LAST HOURS OF BEETHOVEN

THE LAST HOURS OF BEETHOVEN.
He had but one happy moment IN his.
life-ard that moment killed him.
lie live6in poverty, driven into soli-
tude by the contempt of the world, and
by the natural bent of Il disposition rem
dered harsE-almost savage, by the in
Justice of his cotemporaries. But he
wrote the sublimest music that ever man
or angel dreamed He spoke to man
kind in his divine language, and they dis
dained to listen to him. He spoke to
them as Nature speaks in the celestial
harmony of the winds, the waves, the
singing of the birds amidst the woods
Beethoven was a prophet, and his utter
ance was from God.
And yet was his talent so disregarded,
that he was destined more than once to
suffer the bitterest agony of the poet,
tie artist, the musician. He doubted
his own genius.
Haydn himself could find for him no
better praise than in saying, " He is
clever pianist"
Thus it was said of Gericoult, = He
blends his colors wei! :" and thus of Goe-
the, lie has Il anu lS
commits no errors in orthography."
Beethoven had but one friend, and that
friend was Humpel. But poverty aud
injustice had irritated him, aud he was
sometimes unjust himself Ii quarrel
ed with Hummel, and for q long time
they ceased to meet To crown his mis-
fortunes, he became completely deaf
Then Beethoven. retired TO Baden,
where he lived, isolated and sad, in a
small house scarcely sufTicing for his ne
cessities. There his only pleasure was
in wandering amids; the green aisles' of
abcautiful forest ii the reighborhood of
the town. Alone with the birds and the
wild flowers, he would then suffer himself
to give scope 10 his genius, to compose
his marvellous symphonies, to approach
the gates of heaven with melodinns ac-s
cents, and to speak aloud to angels that
language which was too beautiful for hu-
man ears, and which human ears had fail
ed to comprehend.
But in the mids. of his solitary dream
ing, letter arrived which brought him
back, dispite himself, to the cares CT the
world, where rev griefs awaited him.
4 nephew whom he had brought up,
and to whom he WIS attached by the
good offices which he had himself per-
formed for the youth, wrote to implore
his uncle's presence at Vienna. He had
become implicated in some disastrous
business, from which his elder relative
alone could release him.
Beethoven set off on his journey, and,
compelled by the necessity of economy
accomplished part of the distance on foot.
Oae evening he stopped before the gate
of small, mean-looking house, and So
licited shelter. He had already several
leagues to traverse before reaching vi
emma, and his stength would not allow
him to continue any longer on the road.
They received him with hospitality
he partook of their supper, and then was
! installed in the masters chair by the fire
side.
When the table was cleared, the faith
er of the family arose and opened an cid
clavecin. The three SOIL s took each
violin, and the mother and daughter oc-
cupied themselves in some domestic
work.
The father gave the keynote, and all
four began playing with that unity and
precision, that innate genious, which is
peculiar only to the people of Germany.
1t seemed that they were deeply interes-
ted in what they played, for their whole
souls were in the instruments. The two
women desisted from their occupation to
listen, and their gentle countenances ex-
pressed the emotions of their hearts.
To observe all this was the only share
which Beethoven could take in what pas
sed, for he cid not hear a single note.
He could only judge of their perform
ance from the movements of the execu-
tants, and the fire that animated their
features.
When they had finished, they shook
each others hands warmly, as if to con
gratulate themselves on a community of
happiness, and the young girl threw her
self weeping into her mothers arms
Then they appeared to consult together ;
they resumed their instruments; they
commenced again This time their en-
thusiasm reached its hight; their eyes
were filed wsth tears, and the color
mounted to their cheeks. .4..-.
"My friends" said Beethoven, +" /
am very unhappy that | can take no part
in the delight which you experience, fol
l also love music, but you see | am SC
deaf that | cannot hear any sound. Let
me read this music that produces in you
such sweet and lively emotions.
He tookt e paper in his hand, his eye:
: grew dim, his breath came short anc
, fast; then he dropped the music ant
7 burst into tears.
r These peasents had been playing thu
4 allegretto of Beethoven's symptom.
!, in A.
e The whole family surrounded him
. with signs of curiosity and surprise.
For some moments his convulsive sob
s impeded his utterance; then he raise'
e his head and said, Il am Beethoven.
And they uncovered their heads AM
c bent before him in respectful silence
!. Beethoven extended his hands to them