The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1857-09-10
Music and Madness.

The Count C;erfant de u although by posi-
ton and fortune thrown into the highest circles OF
Partisan society," had from his entrance into life,
escbeyed all its foliies The Count had serious
tastes was fond Of study, and. above all. of music,
which he had cultivated especially. He was both
a scientific and an aristocratic musician.
in pursuit of this art, the Count had gone to
Italy. There he resided for some years. On his
return be was observed to be utterly changed IN
character. Among other things, music, which had
been his ruling passion. was now his aversion Inc
sound of the human voice, especially mad An inna-
ence over him which appeared almost to produce
madness.
Mysterious rumors were circulated with regard
to the adventures in Italy which had produced his
change but to none did the Count Gerfaut confde
the real cause,
Count Gerfaut had conceived profound passion
in Italy for young prima donna, Gina Ostravi, a
creature of beauty and genius whose fame WAS dos
tined to exceed that Of all her predecessors al
though as yet confined to Venice. Verona, and
Padua Gerfaut loved her genius AZ much as he
loved herself and when he asked her to become
his wife, he never intended that she should quit
the stage. Gina, however, by some strange caprice
felt offended that her lover should desire her still
to continue the stage; she thought he loved her
genius better than herself; and so she married
not Gerftut-but the Prince of P, and, taking
possession OF her palazzo left the stage forever.
But Gina had loved Gerfaut. She stroye to hide
even from herself the feelings that would arise in
her heart, and not desiring to linger on the past,
she began with renewed snthusam to take to her
art and expressed in music what she dared not
whisper even to herself All her grandeur palied
on her. the Prince became hateful to her-she
longed, she pinned for Il word from Gerfaut. But
he was in Paris: he had never even deigned to
breathe her name.
At length the Princess de P-s health gave
way; her enthusiasm for music took the character
istics of monOmana, and beyond all doubt the
Princess was insane. To the great Partisan physi
clans was the Princess sent, and her name was for
the first time echoed in the Partisan world.
Dupt gautle silpnf the princesS MED
by a companion chosen for that purpose, was soon
at the Bots de Boulogne, at the Opera. at the Ital
iensbeautiful, but 80 pale that as she listened III
wrapt ecstacy to the music, il impossible to
believe her other than statue. The Princess
soon attracted the morbid curiosity Of the Partisan
world.
Gerfaut heard her name. For the first time since
his return from Italy he entered the Opera House
There he beheld her-a pale. beautiful vision of the
woman he had so adored. Their eyes met, then a
deep blush, overspread the neck. and shoulders of
the Princess but Gerfaut turned away without
word or sigh.
He sought the physician who was to effect this
wonderous cure What would save her! Moth
ing but return to the emotions Of the stage
There alone could the pent-up passions Ind vent.
Gelf,ut, calm and firm, sought the Prince; he
told him how he had loved Gina-he told him how
they had separated-he told him that she must be
saved; though he swore to him that he never would
q go her more.
''save her." said the Prince; II will trust YOU,
but on public stage the Princess de p never
can appear"
''Sor shall She"
In the old ancestral hotel of the Faubourg St
Geman Gerfaut set TO work; he arranged a theatre,
he engaged a company, an orchestra! and then-for
without a public an artists triumph could not be
cOmplete-he invited all the elite of the fashionable
and musical world.
Ginlietta and Romeo-not Belliuis, but Zinga-
rslli tender music, worthy of shakespeare poem
was the opera the Princess ever singing
This was the opera chosen She WAS dressed. At
the first strains of the orchestra an eye Frightened,
life seemed infused in the statue; she comprehend
ed where she was; the applause which greeted her
as she entered seemed to give her strength; she
sang as mortal never sang before. derfalt listen
ed with despair and love-
At length came the last scene Juliet is laid In
the tomb. Stealthily comes Romeo TO see her once
again; the tomb is opened and Romeo clasps his
arms around her With shrek, he starts away
aud Juliet falls heavily back into the tomb. The
Prince and the guests rush TO the stage but too
late Gina Juliet lay dead-not in mimic, but in
real death--in her tomb. She had never moved
around her: but Gerfaut had reached her first, and
being Her, his lips to hers had caught the last
faint murmurngs, and they had saii her last
words earth-f'an0.
The Count Gerfaut de Y. has entered the order of
the monks Of La Trappo at Pesth, aud the Prince
is raising magnificent monument to Gina In mar
BILE, that Is to be one of the wonders Of modern
sculpture. Two monuments TO her memory--the
living man turned to stone for her sake. and the
marble endowed with life to bid her live forever