Weekly Trinity journal., 1866-12-01
The Moonlight Sonata.

The following beautiful incident IN tue NE Vi
Beethoven is narrated in Il new novel, " NY
Brothers Wife, Life History" by Amelia B.
Edwards, author of = Barbare's History" etc.,
published BY Harper l. Brother. Whether drawn
from the imagination of the author, or founded
on fact it conveys life-ike impression OF the
character Of the celebrated yusical composer.
. Did | ever tell you how why Beethoven
composed the Moonlight Sonata y
1t happened at Bonn. OF course you know
that Bonn was his native place. He was born
in house on the Rheingasse when first knew
him he was lodging in the upper part of little
mean shop near the Romerplatz. He was wretch
edIy poor lust then 50 poor that he never went
out to walk excepting at night, ON account OF the
poverty of his appearance. However, he had pl-
ano, paper, ink and n few books, and from these
he contrived TO extract some little happiness, des-
pite his privations st this time, You know: he
had not the misfortune to be deaf. lie could at
least enjoy the harmony of his own compositions
Later in life he had not even that consolation
One winters evening | called upon him, Tor
| wanted him TO take a walk, and atterward 10
sup with me- found him sitting by the window
in the moonlight without fire or candle, his head
buried in his hands. and his whole frame trem-
bling with cold for it was freezing bitterly
| reused him, persuaded him to accompany me,
and urged him to shake off his despondency.-
He went but he was very gloomy and hopeless
that night and refused to be comforted
O hate life and the world, said he passion
atclv = hate myselfv No one understands or
cares for me. have genius, and | am treated
as an outcast. have heart and none to love
I wish it were all over and forever wish
that I were lying peacefully at the bottom of
the river wonder. | sometimes find ii difficult
TO resist the temptation
- And he pointed to the Rhine, looking cold
and bright in the moonlight, | made no reply ;
for it was useless to argue with Beethoven, so
7 | allowed him to 90 on in the same strain winch
he did, nor pause till we were returning through
the town, when he subsided into sullen 81
lencc ! did not care to interrupt him. Passing
through some dark, narrow streets within the
Coblentz gate, he paused suddenly.
.s.Hugh = What sound is that?' &" lis
tened and heard the tones of what was evidently
a very old piano, proceeding from some place
close at hand. The performer was playing a
plaintive movement in triple time, and. despite
the worfhlessness of the instrument, contrived
to impart to it considerable tenderness of ex-
preston Beethoven looked at me with spark
ling eyes.
. 1t IS from my symphony in y he said,
eagerly This is the house-Hark how well
it is played 7
1t was a little mean dwelling, with light
shjniDo through the chink of the shutters We
paused outside and listened. The player went
on and the two following movements were
executed with the same fdelity-the same ex-
preston. In the middle Of the finale there was a
sudden break-a momentary silence-then low
sound of sobhing.
sssI cannot 90 on. said female voice.
cannot play any more tonight, Frederick 7
why not my sister p asked her companion
gently.
al scarcely know why, unless that it is SC
beautiful, that It seems so utterly beyond my
power to DO justice to its perfection On, wha'
would I not give to 90 tonight to Cologne
There is a concert given at the kanfhaus, and
and all kinds of beautiful music to be performed
It must be so nice to 90 to a concert !
~ All lmv sister said the man, signing. none
! but the rich can afford such happiness. 1t is use
less to create regrets where there be reTae
dy We can scacely pay our rent now, so why
dare even TO think of what is unattainable"
~ You are right Frcdrick was her reply
And vet sometimes when am playing, | wish
that for once in my life might hear some real
" good music and fine performance. But it Is
of no use-ofno use J!
" There was something very touching in the
tone of these last words, and in the manner o
their repetition Beethoven looked at me.
Let us 90 in he said hurridly
/ "s How can I'VE 90 in? what can we go in
/ for p
/ "sI will play to her. he said in the same ex-
cited tone. Here is feeling genius-under-
{
( preciate it J
And before could prevent, him his hand
was upon the door. 1t was only latched, aad
instantly gave way so ! followed hin through
a dark passage TO half-open door at the right Of
the entrance, which he pushed open and entered
1t was a hare, comfortless apartment, with
/ small stove at the end, and scanty <urniture
A pale young man was sitting by the table ma
/ king shoes and near him, leaning sorrowfully
upon an old-fashioned harpsichord, sat young
I girl with a profuson OF light hair falling over
her bent face Both were cleanly but very poor
" dressed, and both turned towards rs as We
entered.
:. Pardon e. butt heard music and wa;
tempted to enter. | am musician
- The girl blushed, and the young man looked
grave-somewhat annoyed.
:. IL also overheard something Of what you
said. continued my friend. You wish to hear
that is, you would like-that is, shall play e
you?
There was something so odd, so whimsical
so brusaue in the whole affair, and something
so pleasant and eccentric in the very manner o
the speaker, and the ice seemed broken in a mo
4 meat and all smiled inyoluntarily.
" Thank you, said the shoemaker, but on