The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-04-14
La sIarsen,afse.

La 1Iarsefllafse.
The besT narrated account of the origin
and authorship of this famous national
hymn that We have ever read, is furnished
by Bombaugh, and is exceedingly interest
ing. Sit Philip Sidney, impressed with the
powers Of the song writer's OF country in
shaping its destiny, truthfully remarked
tLet who may make the laws of o people,
" GLOW me te write their ballads and I'll guide
them at my will. and in endorsation of his
views, we cite this example of nations
pulse being quiekened and enthused under
the fervid inspiration of an obscure song
maker
Roguet de Lisle was IL young oficerof en-
gineers at Strasbourg. He was born in the
Jura, country of reverie and energy, rs
mountains commonly are He relieved the
seriousness Of garrison life by writing
verses and indulging love of music. He
WAS frequent visitor at the house of Baron
de Diedrich, n noble Alsacion, of the oonsti-
&utional party, the Mayor of Strasbourg
The family loved the young officer, and
gave new inspiration to his heart in its at
Gaohment to music and poetry, and the
aadies were i'll the habit of assisting, by their
performance, the early conceptions of his
genius. A famine prevailed ut Strasbourg
in the winter of 1892 The house Of Died
rich was wealthy at the beginning of The re-
volution, but had now become poor under
the calamities and sacrifices Of the time. It's
frugal table had always an hospitable place
for Rognet de Lise. He was there morning
and evening, as brother, and son. One
day. when only some slices of ham smoked
upon the table, with supply Of camp
bread. his host said to De Lisle in sor-
rowfdi serenity: '.'Plenty is not found at
our meals, but no matter, enthusiasm is not
wanting at our civic festivals, and our SOL
diers' hearts are full of courage. We have
- one more bottle of Rhenish wine in the
cellar, let us drink it to liberty and our
country. Strasbourg will soon have pa-
triotic fete. and our guest must draw from
these last drops one of his hymns, that will
carry his own ardent feelings to the heart of
the people, The young ladies applauded
the proposal; they brought the wine, and
continued to fill the glasses Of Diedrich and
guest, until the bottle was empty. The
night was very eold but De Lisle's head
and heart were warm. He found his way to
his lodgings, entered his solitary chamber
snd-songht for inspiration at one moment
in the palpitations of his citizens heart,
and at another, by touching as an artist, the
leys of his instrument, and striking out
alternately portions of an air. and giving
utterance to poetic thoughts. He did not
know himself, which came first; it was i'm
possible for him to separate the poetry
from the music, or the sentiment from the
words in which it was clothed. lie sanl
altogether and wrote nothing. In this state
of lofty inspiration, he went to sleep witt
his head upon the instrument. The chant.
of the night came upon him in the morning
like the faint impressions of q dream. H.
wrote down the words, made the notes Q
the music, and ran to Diedrich's He fount
him In the garden digging winter lettuces
The wife of the patriot Mayor was not up
and Diedrich awoke her. They called toge
ther some friends, who were like themselves
passionately fond of music, and able to exc
cnte musical compositions. One of til
ladies played and our author sang. kt th
first tstanza, the countenanceso Of the compan
grew pale; at the second tears Aowe