The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-04-18

breathlessly. The brother and sister were
dumb with astonishmcnt, as IT, panilired.
The former had laid aside hiswork; thelat-
ter, her headslightly inclined, had approach
ed the instrument, and her two hands were
elaspcd upon her breast, as If she feared the
beating Of her heart might interrupt those
accents ofmagic sweetness. 1t seemed as
If we were the subjects Of a strange dream,
and our only fear was to wake too soon.
Suddenly the flame Of the candle lick
cred; the wick, consumed to the end, fell,
and was extinguished. Beethoven stopped.
opened the shutters to let in the rays OF
the moon. 1t became almost rs light as be-
fore in the room, and the radience fell more
strongly on the musician and the instru-
ment.
But this incident seemed to have broken
the chain of Beethoven's ideas. His head
dropped on his breast, his hands rested on
his knees, he appeared plunged into pro-
found meditation.
He remained so. for some time. At last
the young shoemaker rose, approached him
and said, in low, respectful voice." Won
dcrful nan, who are you, then?"
Beethoven raised his head, and looked at
him abstncledly, as if he had not cOmpre-
hended the meaning Of his words.
The young man repeated the question.
The composer smiled as only he could
smile, with sweetness and kingly benevo-
lence.
Listen" said he. And he played the
first movement in the F symphony. a cry
of joy escaped from the lips of the brother
and sister. They recognized him, and cried
with emotion F" You are, then, Becthov-
en- !"
lie arose to go, but our entrcaties succeed
ID in OBTAINING him.
Z" Play to us once more--just once more.
He allowed himself to be led to the instru-
ment. The brilliant rays of the moon en-
tered the curtainless window, and lighted
up his expansive, earnest forehead.
AZ am going to imprOvisc sonata to the
moonlight" Iaid he, playfally. He con-
templated for some minutes the SKY sprink'
led with stars then his fingers rested ON
the piano, and he commenced to play in a
low, sad, but wonderously sweet strain
The harmony issued from the instrument,
sweet and even as the rays of the moon
spread over the shadows on the ground
This delicious overture was followed by a
piece in triple time, lively, light, capricious
"A sort of intermediate burlesquc, like q
dance of FAIRIES at midnight on the grass.
Then came rapid GgiiatO yfaaic-a breath
less movement, trembling, hurrying, describe
ing flight and uncertainty, inspiring vague
and instructive terror, which bore us on
wards on its shuddering wings, and left us
at last, quite agitatcd with surprise and
moved to tears.
Adieu ~ said Beethoven, abruptly
pushing back his chair and advancing to
the door" Adicu !"
"You will come again ?" asked both at
the samo time.
lie stopped, and regarding the young
blind girl with an air of compassion.
"Yes, yes" said no hurriedly, II will
come again, and give some lessons to mad
emoisellc. Farewell; will soon come
again"
They followed US to the door in silence
more expressive than words, and remained
standing on the threshold till we were out
Of sight.
"Lct us hasten home" said Beethoven to
me in the street. Lot us hasten, that l
may note down this sonata while it is in
my memory"
He entered his room, and he wrote till
nearly daybrcak."