The Georgetown news., 1856-03-13
Beethoven.


musician, who had known the illustrious
composer intimately; from him learned the
following anecdote:
You know, he said, that Beethoven was
born in a house in the RheingaSSe, but at
the period when | made his acquaintance
he lodged over Il little shop in the Roemer-
Platc. lie was then very poor, so poor
that he never went out except at night, on
account of the dilapidated state of his gar
ments. Yet he had piano, pens, papers
ink, and some books, and, Notwithstanding
his prlyatlons, he had some moments of hap
pineSS. lie was not yet deaf, and could
enjoy, at least. the harmony of his own
compositions; at later period this cOnso-
laton was denied him.
/ called to see him one winter evening to
persuade him to take q walk and then sup
/ with me. | found him seated at the win
dow i'll the moonlight, without light or fire.
his face concealed in his hands, and his
whole frame shivering with cold. | reused
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 gloomy
and desperate. and would not listen to me
! 4 hate the world said he vehemently, i
hate myself. Nobody comprehends me. OF
troubles himself at all about me. | have
genius. and lam treated like pariah. |
! have heart. and nobody loves me. | wish
! that all was over, and forever | wish |
were lying TRANQUILITY in the bottom of that
river. There are moments when | can
! hardly resist the temptation to throw my
/ self i'll it: and he pointed to the Rhine, the
broad Rhine, whose cold broad waves spar
killed. in the moonlight.
made 10 answer; it was useless to argue
with Beethoven, and let him go on in this
tone. He ceased only when We returned to
the city. We were passing through dark
narrow street. when he suddenly stopped.
Hush. said he, what is that
l listened. and heard the feeble note of
an old harpSichord. coming from house
short distance from us. 1t was plaintive
melody in triple measure, 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 eve.
1T is from my symphony in F" said he
| 'Listen!-how well it is played"
The house was small and humble: we
stopped before it to listen; the performer
continued, and the two succeeding passages
were given with the same fidelity and the
same expression; then there was u sudden
pause--a silcnce-succeeded by a stiiled
| sob.
Il cannot go on, said female voice Il
cannot play more this evening, Frederic
why, sister,
4 do not know why, unless it is because
it is so beautiful that | cannot play it as it
deserves. OH what would not give to go
to Cologne this evening! There is to be
concert at the KraWthGus, and they will
pnrform all sorts of fine music. A concert
must be very delightful
'Ahl my dear sister, said Frederic, sigh
ing, 'one must be very rich to enjoy such a
pleasure; but why torment yourself with re-
grets for what cannot be remedied? We
can hardly pay our rent. What use is it
to think Of things beyond our reach?'
You are right, Frederic, yet sometimes
when | play l long so much to hear, if only
once in my life, music well performed; but
it is of no use-no user
There was something singularly touching
in the tone, and in the repetition of these
last words. Beethoven looked at me.
Let US go in,' said he, suddenly.
60 in!' l cried 'how-why should we go
in?'
Il will play for her. he resumed with Vi
vacity. She has feeling, intelligence, ge-
MUS; | will play for her, and she will appre-
ciate me-
Before could prevent him. he had his
hand upon the door. 1t opened immediate
ly, and followed him along dark pas
sage toward halfopend door at the right
He pushed it wide open and we found our
selves in chamber meagerly furnished with
a small stove at one end. A pale Young
man was seated at table at work upon a
shoe. Near him, leaning in a melancholy
attitude upon an antiquated harpsichord
was young girl over whose face fell pro-
fusion OF blonde curls. Both were neatly
but very poorly dressed, and both started
and turned toward US, as we entered.
Pardon me, said Beethoven, somewhat
embarrassed, pardon me, but-but heard
music, and l ventured to enter. l am
musician
The young girl blushcd, while the young
| hAoh SlocuLlCu q SefCrC anu all dlIuOSI angry
air.
4 overheard some words continued nv
friend, you wished to hear-that is, you
would like-in short, do you wish me to
play for you?
There was something SO strange, so I'M
usual and abrupt in the whole affair, aud
something at the same time so pleasing
and eccentric in the manner of the speaker.
that the ice was broken in q moment, and
both smiled involuntarily.
1 thank YOU said the shoemaker, but
our Instrument is very poor, and We have
no notes
No notes. repeated my friend, 'how then
did this young lady