The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-01-25


such matter recorded as might furnish 1nstruc-
tion and warning. Thus solemnly introduced,
the narrative begins by informing us that
Johann Faust was born at Rod, near Weimar, of
GOd-fearng peasant parents, and adopted early
by rich childess uncle at Wittenberg, who
sent him to school, and then to the university
to study theology. Soon wearying OF this, he
devoted himself, instead to medicine and
science; and though he took to bad company,
and fell into sin, vet, possessing a good capa-
city, he eventually passed a very credltable
examination, gaining his degree as doctor.
He now gave his nights and days to
the study of curious signs and characters
and to the acquisition of the Greek, Per-
sian, Arabic, and Chaldee languages; so
that besides the reputation he gained as
a physician by healing many patents he also
became known as famous astrologer. We are
next told rather abruptly. that, having taken
to the practice OF black magic (that with which
he began having probably been only such as
was termed I1btte in the nomenclature OF the
period), he went one evening to a spot in
a neighborng wood where four roads met, and
drawing three concentrtc circles stood within
them INVOKING the Evil Spirit. A terrible
tempest began; then sweet music was heard;
anon strange shapes fitted before him; and as
he uttered spells of greater and greater power
at last the Devil appeared as fiery man. SOon
however, he assumed the more approachable
form OF grey trtar-a guise which seems to
indicate Protestant origin for at least this YER
sion Of the story Fahgued with excitement
Faust avails himself no further of this inter.
view than to extract from the spirit a
house, whittier accordingly he comes; and the
doctor then demands that he shall obey him in
all things, and answer truly whatever questions
he may at any time PROFOUND. The spirit replies
that he cannot make any such contract without
first asking permission, being himself only a
subordinate demon owing allegiance to Lucifer;
Dut on his reappearance in the evening he avows
ms readiness to agree to the doctors terms, and
to be always near him, though invisible to
every other eye, on condition that the latter, IN
return, will sign with his own blood a document
promising not only to be entirely his at death,
but that during his life he VIII renounce God
and all things holy, and be an enemy to the
Christian faith Faust consents, thinking that,
as he has certainly found the Devil not to be so
black as he is painted, it Is probable that hell
may not be so hot as it has been described; and
accordingly the next day the spirit comes again
TO witness the signature.
The doctor pierces vein in his hand: when,
as a last appeal from Heaven, the blood miracu-
culousy forms itself INTO the words, go homo,
fugeW Undeterred even by this portent, he
signs the fatal deed here given at length, as
found in his house after his DEATH and which
duly sets forth that, desiring deeper knowledge
than he could learn from other men, or acquire
by the faculties with which God had endowed
him, he had entered into this contract, consent
ing that if the Devil will only teach him all he
desires to know during period of twenty-fOur
years, he WILL at its expiration, resign himself
to him Tor all eternity.
The internal visltant, who announces his name
to be "MephostOpheles" (sOJ the lame is here
service OF his new master, who resides in the
house lett him by his deceased uncle; arranging
that no domestic shall be retained except one
Christopher Wagner, whom Faust mad taken
trem the streets as BOY of so bad a character
that no one else would employ him. The spirit
himself undertakes to oe major-domo of the
establishment. The cellars OF the Elector Pala-
tine and OF various bishops are laid under con-
tribution for wines Of all kinds; ready-dressed
viands are transported from palatial kitchens;
while ample, supplies for the wardrobe
the tailors and other tradesmen Of
the city. Living thus sumptuously, Faust,
we are told, soon becomes so thoroughly
sensualized that he no longer believes ia either
God or Devil; though his skeptcism as to the
latter appears certainly rather extraordinary,
considering who is IN attendance upon him.
Waking up suddenly to the disadvantage of his
richly.spread table having yet no lady at the
head,n he informs Mephistopheles that he wishes
to marry. The latter, however, torblds the
banns-nOt only painting very viVidly the vari-
Gus discomforts and inconvenience attendant
on the married state, but further reminding him
that, as he had promised to abiure all holy
things, marriage was of course included, and
that it would be impossible for him to serve two
masters, the Devil and a wife, The appeal
winds up with the very forcibe argument
that if Faust persists in such design
the demons will tear him into little pieces"
The doctor, grown arrogant, replies that
happen what will, he does intend to ad-
here 10 his plan. Upon this Mephstopheles
vanIshes, and violent blast tiings Faust upon
the floor, where he lies IN torture, unable TO
move hand or foot. He cries vehemently to
Mephsl opheles to come TO his aid. The Devil
himself appears instead, in terrible form, asking
mockingy In what mind he now Is; whereupon
the humbled doctor coniesses that he has broken
his compact and Graves forgiveness. In token
that il is granted, the Devil disappears, the
doctors pains cease and Mephistopheles returns
soothinel y promising him that, though he cannot
suffer him to have a wife, yet he will not object
to bring him, every day, if he should wish it,
some fresh 0eautY-a prospect which entirely
TeconClles Faustus to his enforced celibacy.
Not until every possible provision has been
made for his comfort and enjoyment, does Faust
seem to bethink himself of the main purpose for
which he had invited the spirits aid; but he
now begins to put Mephistopheles through
course OF lnterrogatories, with view6to enlarge
his knowledge OF things mostly beyond mortal
ken. The first subject on which he claims en-
lightenment is the dominion of the Devil and the
extent OF his power. A medieval and orthodox
description OF hell, IN which there is a good deal
OF brlmstone, is served up for his information.
Further questioning draws forth minuter details
of its division into Gehenna Erebus, Tartarus,
ETC.. with an account OF its various rulers, the
spirit who melted Cain to murder, the one
! who led Solomon into licentiousness and
! and lord of them all. AT the end of each
! conversation Faust who has already begun
! bitterly to repent his bargain, bemoans his
! fate, in having put himself into the power of
! these ruthless beings, whose whole occupation
! is to misead and ruin men. At last he asks
! if there Will not be at last end to hell. or
! if there be no chance left for himself 70 escape
! it, He is told that 1t will certainly endure
forever and that he has sinned too deeply to
| be saved: his informant further advising him
! TO ask and think no more upon the subject
! since it can be no pleasant one to either of
! them. 1t has, however, fascination beyond
any other for Faust The moment he is alone
| his mind reYerts to ii, and he thinks earnestly
] of fpxi IN Ga iu fof hut anh