Butte record., 1856-03-22
5nistellanta1g.
Beethoven.

Twas not long since at Bonu, the ma
tive place Of Beethoven and met there
an old musician, VINO had known the
illustrious composer Intimately; from
him learned the following anecdote:
You know, he said, that Beethoven
was in house in the Rheingasse, but
at the period when made his acquain-
tance he lodged over a little shop in the
R0emerplat1. He was then very poor,
so poor that he never went out except at
night, on account Of the dilapidated
state Of his garments. Yet he had a
piano, pens, papers, ink and some
books, and, Notwithstanding his pliva-
tions, lie had some moments of happi-
ness. He was not yet deaf, and could
enjoy, at least, the harmony of his
own compositions; at later period this
consolation was denied him.
l called to see him one winter eve
ming to persuade him to take a walk
and then sup with me. found him
seated at the window in the moonlight,
without light or fire, his face concealed
in his hands, and his whole frame shi-
yering with cold. | IrouScd him from
his lethargy, urged him to go out with
me, and eXhorted him to shake off his
sadness. We went out, but he was
s'oomy and desperate, and would not
ten to me. L hate the world,
/ he yehemently, 4 hate myself
body comprehends me, or troubles
lself at all about he. | have gen
and | am treated like a pariah- !
ave a heart, and nobody loves me. |
wish that all was over, and forever. |
wish that l were lying TRANQUILITY in the
bottom Of that river. There are mo-
ments when can hardly resist the
temptation to throw myself in it, and
he pointed to the Rhine, the broad
Rhine, whose cold broad waves spark
led in the moonlight.
made no answer; it was useless to
argue with Beethoven, and | let him
90 on in this tone. He ceased only when
we returned to the city. We were
passing through dark narrow street,
when lie suddenly stopped.
'Hushl' said he, what is that!'
listened, and heard the feeble note
Of an old harpsichord, coming from a
house a short distance from US. 1t
was plaintiye melody in triple mca-
sure, and in spite Of the defects Of
the instrument, the performer gave
great tenderness of expression to the
music.-Beethoven looked at me with
sparkling eyes.
1t is from my symphony in F'n said
he. 'Listen.-how well it is play
ed,'
The house was small and humble;
we stopped before it to listen; the per-
former continued, and the two succeed
ing passages were given with the same
fidelity and the same expression; then
there was a sudden pause-a silence
-succeeded by stifed sob.
4 cannot 90 On, said female voice,
4 cannot play more this evening,
Frederic
why, sister?'
4 do not know why, unless it is be-
cause it is sobeautiful that | can't play
it as It deserves. o. what would | not
give to go to Cologne this evening"
there is to be concert at the Kra't-
thaus, and they will perform all sorts
Of fine music. A concert must be
very delightful
'Ah! my dear sister, said Frederic,
signing, 'one must be very rich to en-
joy such pleasure; but why torment
youelf with regrets for what cannot
be remedied! We can hardly pay our
rent. What use is it to think of things
beyond our reachp
You are right, Frederic, yet, some
times when play | long so much to
hear, if only once in nay life, music
well performed; but it is Of no use
no usel'
There was something singlarly touch
ING IN the tone, and III the repetition
Of these last words. Beethoven look
ed at me.
Let us 90 in said he suddenly.
Go in!' / cried, 'how-why should
we 60 in?'
4 viii play for her. he resumed
with vivacity. She has feeling, intel
ligence, genius; will play for her,
and she viii appreciate me-
fore | could prevent him, he had
nd upon the door. 1t opened
ately, and I followed him along
passage toward a half open
ne right. He pushed it wide
we found ourselves in cham
5erly furnished, with a small
one end. A pale young man
Is lated at table at work upon a
sloe. Near him, leaning in melan-
choly attitude upon an antiquated
harpsichord, was young girl over