New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1856-07-03
NUMBER lO4.
The Origin Of Lithograpty.


The Origin Of Lithogaphy.
At Munich, in the year 1795.a new comedy wa
acted one night at the principal theater. The part
one OF the characters whose duty it was to keep th
audience ina perpetual roar Of laughter, was sus
tanned by young man, whose mournf1l actions ant
gestures were strangely variance with tbs
droHerles ne uttered. He seemed to be about seven
teen years DID, his figure was tall and slender, hi:
countenance pale, and his large blue eyes wore an
preston of profound melancholy. The piece was un
mereiuy hissed and as soon aa twas over, one OF
the attendants made his appearance
" Mr. Aloise Senefelder,1 said he, g the manager
wishes M to speak to you Immediately"
Tell him an coming" replied the young rnau
and hastily finishing his toilet he repaired to the
managers room.
Mr. senefelder,r said the man in authority, e do
you Snow that am the author Of the play acted
Yes, SIR said Aloise timidIy.
DO you know the piece Is condemned ~
Sir" said Aloise, :" | did my best
:" To make it fail, and you have succeeded said
the incensed author. From this moment you are no
longer one OF my company. Here is what owe you,
take it, sir, and withdraw;
Astonlshed at these words, Aloise stood like a
statue. He seemed without power totake the money
or to move. AT length, the book-k keeper, who was
present, took the few coins and placed them in his
hand and the cold contact of the silver recalling
him to recollection he cIasped his myers corynsivel1
together, and falling on his knees burst into tears
An; don,tsend me away, don't send me aYay!f,
he cried. = a
want an actor, not mourner,n said the mana.
ger author, in whose ears the sses were vet rinoup
" In place Of laughing you weep"
" Sir, my father died two days ago and is not vet
buried, for want of coffin to contain his dear re-
mains. My mother and my five little brothers and
SISTERS have only me to depend on. Try me, then,
Ar. SparInan-try me once more, beseech you.'
Sorry can't grant your request; ;; said the mana
ger. taking up his hat and moving towards the door.
As he passed Aoise on whose pale face the burning
tears seemed frozen by despair, the feeling Of the
man partly conquered those of the author.
Z" Double the salary and pay the fathers funeral,
out. 4 IN
Fitz took few crowns from the drawer placed
Them IN the hands Of Aloise helped him to rise and
theater. : - 4
Kindly supporting the poor boys lettering steps,
the hoxkeeper led him to undertaker's shop, and
gave orders for an humble coffin Then seeing him
able to walk to his mothers lodging Fitz took leave
of him and returned to the theater.
The widow Seneteder inhabited miserable apart
ment IN an obscure part of the city. Want and misery
were stamped on the innocent faces Of the five little
ones who surrounded her, and who, with one accord
rushed towards Al0ise as he entered.
The eldest pretty girl about ten years old, drew
them back and putting her lips close to her brothers
ears, whispered
8: Have you brought any supper Aloise p:
Here, said he, giving her the silver he had
's So much as that2' said the sister, :. they must
be much pleased, to give you so many crowns.H
so much pleased, Marianne, that they have dis
. Then you longer an actor" said one of the
little boys. So much the better It is an uneodiy
profession, our curate says
Yes" rejoined another child, but how shall we
get money to buy bread, if Aloise does nothing n y
Hush, hust.'i said Marianne don't let our dear
mamma hear bad news tonight. We shall pray to
God, who has taken papa to himself and perhaps he
will send US some consolation"
Aloise was silent. He watched all night by his
fathers corpse, and the next morning followed it to
the grave. Instead Of returning home he wandered
Idly through the streets. pursued by the still re-
curing question, What can 1 do?" Night ap-
he thought of returning to his mother,
recollectng how uneasy his absence would make her;
but when he looked around he knew not where he
was. In absence Of mind be had wandered far into
the country and the rushing of river struck his ear
He approached its bank, and overcome by fatigue and
munger, sank down upon the soft grass. For some
time he watched the flowing water, till dreadful
idea entered his poor and harrassed brain.
" Beneath that quiet wave" he thought, "all my
woes would soon be ended. l am no longer good for
any thing. am only a burden to my mother, giving
her another mouth to feed. will therefore die, and
then ell will be over! ~
Aloise had been educated in sentiments of christian
piety, and now like ray of light from Heaven, the
thought struck him that he was meditating fearful
crime. He shuddered, and kneelng down prayed fer
venty to God for pardon.
While on his knees, his ideas became gradually CON
fused the water ceased to flow and the stars to shine
Aoise slept. = III
When he opened his eyes it was daylight. The
scene around was guided by the rising sun. He
heard the pleasant singing of the birds and his heart
expanded with joy. He was still among the living
he had not accomplished his wicked resolution and
falling again on his knees, he thanked God for his
mercy, Notwithstanding his bodily weakness, he felt
refreshed, and sat for few moments the grass to
collect his thoughts ere he set out his return to the
city.
While thus resting, his eyes fell on a smooth white
on which was traced the delicate sem
blance OF sprig of moss with all its minute flowers
and tender fbres. He remembered that the evening
before his tears had fallen this stone, and mosten
ed the sprlg OF moss, which had probably fallen on it
from the beak of some wandering bird No, the moss
was not there, the wind having blown it away but its
impress remained so exquisitey traced on the smooth
white surface Of the stone, that the young German
could not help being struck with the phenomenon
" This means something thought he. ~ may
have been led in mercy to this spot l am bad ac-
tor, bad singer, but who knows? l may be re-
served for something better"
Taking the stone in his hand, Aloise rose up and
turned his steps homewards.
AT the gate Of the city he met his little brother,
whom his mother had sent to seek him. The child
told him that old uncle of their mother had come
to see her the morning of the burial, and had given
her sum of money to relieve her wants
my God I thank thee said young Senefelder
mentally. He did not then know that the stone
which he held in his hand would cause in few days
greater emotions of thankfulness.
At first he only employed his discovery in orna.
mentng the covers of baskets snutfboxes ETC., but
one day it occurred to him to take off on wet paper
the picture drawn on stone The experiment sue.
ceeded, and lithOgraphy was discovered
In time, Aoise brought the art to perfection. He
studied chemistry for the purpose and rich and hap
py were his prosperous family around him. He felt
that he could be sufficiently thankful 'for hay
ing outlived his design of selEdestruetion.
why should we ever despar? he would say.
God can turn our pain into pleasure aud our bitter
ness into joy"
1t is said that George " would not hesitate to re-
sort to an out-andont lie to relieve himself from an
position. O'Connell declared that it
was his belief " that there never was q greater
scoundrel than George w., and related an occnrrance
that took place when the Prince Mrs. Fitzherbert,
and Charles James Fox, were dining together =
After dinner Mrs. Ftzherbert said by the by,
Mr. Fox, had almost forgotten to ask you what you
did say about me in the House Of Commons the other
night? The newspapers misrepresent so very
strangely that one cannot depend upon them, You
were made to say that the Prince authorized you to
edny his marriage wthme' The Prince made monitory
grimaces at Fox, aud Immediately said Upon my