Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1856-08-23
BEETHOVEN AND THE BLIND GIRL.
FROM THE GERMAN,

Some months ago, | was at Bonn, the birthplace
of Beethoven. i met there an old musician, who
had known the iilustriOus composer intimately :;
and from him | received the following beautiful
auecdOte.
"You know" said he, that Beethoven was born
in u house in the Rhein Grasse (Rhine Street. ;
but at the time | became acquainted with him he
lodged over n humble little ship in Roemeaplatz.
lie was then very poor, so poor that he only went
to walk at night, because Of the dilapilated state of
his clothing. Nevertheless, he had a piano, pens.
paper, ink and books; Notwithstanding his priva-
tions, he passed some happy moments there. lie
was not yet deaf and could at least enjoy the har-
mony of his own compositions In later years,
even this consolation was denied him.
One Winter evening | called upon him, hoping
to persuade him to take a walk, and return with me
to supper. | found him sitting at the window, in
the moonlight, without fire or candle, his whole
frame shivering with cold, for it was freezing hard
By slow degrees | drew him from his lethargy.
persuaded him to accompany me, and exhorted
him to shake off his sadness. lie came out with
me but was dark and despairing on that evening,
and refused all consolation.
Il hate the world said he with a passion. Il
hate myself. No one understands me or cares
about me; | have genius, and am treated like IA
pariah ; | have a heart, and no one to love. am
completely miserable
Il made no reply. 1t was useless to dispute with
Beethoven, and | let him continue in the same
strain. He did not cease till we reentered the city,
and then he relapsed into a sad silence. We
crossed a dark, narrow street, near the gate Of Cob
lentz. All at once he stopped.
Hush ! said he what is that noise?
y listened, and heard the faint tones of an old
piano issuing from some house at a little distance.
1t was a plaintiye melody in triple time, aud not,
withstanding the poverty Of the instrument, the
performer gave to the piece great tenderness
Of expression.
beethoven looked at me with sparkling eyes.
1t is taken from my symphOny in f. said he
here is the house. Listen how we'll it is per.
formed
The house was poor and humble, and a light
glimered through the chinks of the shutter. lie
stopped to listen. In the middle Of the finale
there was a sudden interruption, silence for a mo,
ment, then a stided voice was heard.
4 canRat go on said a female voice. Il can 20
no farther this evening, Frederick
why, sister?'
I scarsiylknow, unless il is because the compo.
siti0n is so beautiful that / feel incapable Of doing
Justice to it. ! am SO fond Of music. OH what
would 1 give to hear that piece played by some
one who could do it Justice
'Ah, dear sister, said Frederick, signing, zone
must be rich To procure that enjoyment. What is
the use of regretting when there is no help for it
We can scarcely pay our rent; why think Of
things far beyond our reachi
'You are right, Frederick ard yet when | am
playing ! long once in my life to hear good music
we'll executed. But il is useless it is useless {!
There was some thing singulaFly touching in
the tone and repetition:of the last words,
Beethoven looked at me. Let us enter, said he
abruptly.
Enter + said ! why should we entor7'
Il will play to her, replied he, with ~vivacity.
She has feeling. genius. Intelligence ! will play
10 her, aud she will appreciate me- And before l