The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-07-01

of appreciation from those lovely lips re-
warded, my endeayors, l. should have
been content. {. But this indifference was
dreadful. Was it possible that being
so thoroughly beautiful could be de-
prived of all sensibility to the poetry of
sound2 It could not be. No; had
failed in calling forth those emotions of
the soul 30 obedient to the summons of
the inspired musician. My wand was
evidently impotent, and became piqued
and discontented.
At length, after playing O mournful
sweeping movement towards the close,
without the slightest effect, suddenly
broke of, and, in fit of desperation,
dashed into the Cdrnavdl ele Venise. 1t
was g last resource, and resolutely de-
termined on rousing this apathetic as-
semblage, ut the sacrifice even of my own
reputation. The most outre and extravn-
CANT variations-the most ludicrous
sounds could devise-altercation be-
tween the old man and woman, followed
by the tumbling down stairs Of the for
mer, while hotly pursued by his better
ments, rendered grotesquer and absurder
still-followed by the clucking of hens,
growing of cocks, the bleating of lambs,
the grunting of pigs-the various sounds
of farm-yard, delightfully."- interspersed
with the mewing of oats, and the lowing
of IN old COW, being the veritable song
of which that ancient female died; all
these, and. more, were recklessly thrown
in without the slightest regard to any
thing but the desired object of rousing
my audience. Caring for nothing else,
I fixed my eyes on the Madonna-like
head, and intently watched her face.
With the electric thread which seems to
connect the musician and his listener,
was ready to catch the faintest express
sion of her features, to seize the slight
est aud most airy fancy Of her brain, and
transfer it to my strings. Alas, alas, all
was fruitless; and after some of the mad
dest and most insane sounds ever emit
ted from fiddle, sank thoroughly ex-
hausted into n spacious armchair, and
buried my face in my hands.
The Prince now approached and
thanked me warmly for my services, at
the same time expressing the grntifca-
ton I had afforded him by what lie was
pleased to term my wonderful execution
and originality of genius. There was
dignity and grand-seignior air about the
old nobleman which prevented my laugh
ing utterly at this dubious compliment
to my charlatanry; but I saw at glance
that he meant no insult, and therefore
contented myself with formal bow.
Soon afterward the chamberlain entered
the SALOON; monsiegneur politely wished
me goodnight, and my guide conducted
me through the long suite of dimly-
lighted apartments to the hall Just as
L was leaving, I cast glance behind; the
divine head was pensive as ever-the
dark eyes still glared-the good-natured
dowager smiled-the warriors preserved
their usual taciturnity, and the group of
girls still fingered in the same corner.
felt / had produced no oimpression-that
I had, moreover, made fool of myself,
and that the sooner left the place, the
better. Stung to the quick with morti-
fication, pushed brusquely past the at-
tendants, and, declining the proffered
carriage, rushed into the street, glad to
escape from the mansion.
The following morning I received
complimentary note, containing check
for ten louis, and expressing wish to
see me again in tho course of the ensu-
ing week. Now, as I said before, am
"only fiddler" and have to live by my
art; consequently, again accepted the
invitation, and drew out programme of
strictly classical music, thinking that my
previous selection had probably not been
to the taste of the listeners. I should
not omit to mention that I was, on each
occasion, provided with pioniste accom-
paynateur.
The same stiffness pervaded the man
sion as before. the same ceremony, the
same dimly-lighted apartments, and, SO
far as I could perceive, the same guests.
played with care, for the idea had seiz-
ed my mind that these silent persons
we're fastidious critics of music, and had
probably not relished my extravagances
of last week. was, therefore, doubly
scrupulous, and rendered, with the ut
most accuracy in my power, Mendels-
sohn's magnificent concerto, which was
my piece de resistance, and I again had
the modification of closing without
murmur of that sweet music of applause
which is to the executive artist as the
breath of life. The exquisite beauty of
the lady with the jasmine flower, family
seen through the prevailing gloom, the
soft pensiveness of that countenance, in
whose features were blended Athenian
grace with the Madonna inspiration,
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