The Cecil Whig., 1857-02-07

/ n
Europe. passed few days in the small
| town of N in Germany. This town, old
and grey, was remarkable for no peculiar
charm, and was only attractive to me on &C.
count of celebrated musical academy which
was there located. In youth, my passion
FOR music was all absorbing. Myself no,
without some requirements in this most
beautiful of arts. devoted much of my time
during my travels. to seeking out the hes,
musical institutions, and cultivating my
tustes by an acquaintance with their various
systems.
| had come good deal out Of my way to
visit NJ, and when | had left the bung.
ling coach which had brought me thithcr, |
hurried at uncc to the academy, and nlssrnt-
ed my letter Of introduction to the venerable
professor.
| found him in the great garden of the aca-
deny engaged with class Of girls. who all
fitted away on the approach of a stranger
except one who was reclining near an arbor
at little distance, and apparently asleep.
made myself known to the professor, and re-
ccivcd from him most cordial greeting. -
lie had devoted his lifetime to his beloved
art with little enough Of sympathy and en-
enlargement and the visit of an interested
stranger elatrd HIM. lie led me to y garden
seat, and talked long time in an earnest and
often vehement manner. lie gave me a brict
but vivid account Of the institution from it,
foundation, and entered into a more detailed
history Of his own connection with it. HIS
system Of teaching was peculiar and he had
been Obliged to work hard. and to hear with
many rebutls before he had succeeded in max.
irg it popular. Even now it could not be
said to be 4 favorite one. The jealousits OF
other teachers and the popular prejudice in
favor of old styles had kept it in the shade
You see specimen Of my tracllng," he
said, in his quick, eager manner. There is
| tiny class ufgirls | have not shut them i'll
cells and made nuns Of them. cramping their
spirit and destroying their beauty, but you
See them in their every day lives. They live
i'll the open air; there they study. practice.
rccile. You may think this too free life
for pupils so young and merry, but / tell you
no. trust them and they honor the trust.
When these girls come to be old enough and
trained enough to sing in the opera, their
strength and beauty will not BE- worn out by
too severe discipline, but they will be fresh,
strong. beautiful, tit representatives Of the
art they have chosen; the art which of all
others never grows old, is forever new, forever
unattained.
so you would like to hear them sing. II
I can cn,ch the wild birds, you will hear
some Of the purcst. finest voices in the world
He summoned his class by motion Of his
hand, but they, not at all afraid ofhm, show
ed no disposition to obey. In vain he beck.
oncd and called until he grew decidedly i'm
patient. They all held back in real or pre-
tended bashfulncss.
Afraid you silly children. I am provoked
| with you - cried the master. angrly stamp
ing his foot on the sward. I'm teach YOU
| to be shy of strangers. Where is Grace Ros-
enherg! She is not afraid to sing. Grace
come hcie!"
The girl whom had before observed and
thought was asleep on the grass, rose and
approached thought had never seen so
Of exquisite mould, her hair dark and luxuri-
ant. and her eyes of liquid blue were slla.
ded by lashcs the longest and blackcst ever
behcld. This contrast between the color OF
the eyes and the lashes was singular, but very
beautiful. had never seen such eyes before
and rarely have since. She came close to
the teacher and said softly.
What do you wish, my mastcr!"
""i' ou W 5ii'S. ClhB that siaHu pas
sage from Hayden. which heard you prac-
ticing not an hour ago. Sing as you sung
then. as il the heavens were opening"
She smiled at his enthusiasm, but shook
her head. 'Do not ask me to sing now, am
so very tired"
"You tired you with the best voice in
Geimany! How everything goes wrong to-
day. Sing, Grace Rosenberg!'
E.
and said, pleadingly,
Il have sung all Gay. I just laid down to
rest f"r am weary. and there is dizzy pain
in my head"
Ipitticd the fraillooking. beautiful girl. l
knew that she really could not do herself nor
her master justice if forced to sing, and drew
little nearer to say,
Herr Professor, ] hope you will not com.
pei your pnpil to sing on my account. She
looks indeed, very weary"
She is obstinate-they are all obstinate" :"
he muttered, this comes Of my system of
indulgence.
A singular and rapid change came over
the young girls countenance when | spoke.
She turned pale. then red. and laying her
hand on the masters arm, said,
lis there stranger here 7"
The question greatly surprised ME, as
stood but few PAGES from her and directly
before her face, but the professor, seeing my
amazcmcEt, leaned forward and whispered,
She is entirely blind"
And then. looking earnestly into her face,
| could see that into those beautiful placid
eyes the light Of morning or noon or evening
never shone,
Yes" the professor replied to his pupil
Here is n stranger, Mr.. Winthrop, from
England, who pays me the compliment Of
visiting the academy which few travellers
have the politeness to do. He asks to hear
my pupils sing. and this ono is shy, and that
one is tired"
She smiled slightly, hesitatcd moment
then standing little farther from us, folded
her hands denurely and sung a noble theme
with one of the most thrilling, penetrating
voices | ever heard. 1t rung like golden
bell through passages expressive Of strength
and triumph. then melted away in the sofcst
bird warblings. Entranc,d. bcwldcrc,l. by
the food of melody. | stood like one in
dream. When she had finished her song she
stole quietly away, and was soon lost to sight
i'll the grove.
Not until she had disappeared, did turn
my eyes from the bcwildcring vision to the
professors face. lie rubbed his hands in
slceful pride.
"lsn't that glorious voice e. he exclain,-
I'd. There is not another equal to it in
Germany. That gi,l will be piima donna