The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-06-30
THE DREAM of LOVE.

THE DREAM OF LOVE.
Several years ago, circumstances con-
nected with my art, led me to Naples.
After working hard, and winning some
sort OF reputation as violinist in nv
own country, I had determined on Civ
ing series of concerts in the principal
cities OF Europe, in the hope Of improv-
ing my scanty means. The experiment t
proved highly satisfactory; and with the
exception of few hostile criticisms I
must honestly confess I met with quite
as much success as I deserved. At Ma
pies, the appointment of solo player
ut the Opera, was offered me, and al
though the emolument attached to the
office was not very high, gladly accept
ed it, in order to enjoy the delights Of n
Southern winter, and ut the same time
devote myself to theoretical studies
under the genial influence of the siren
Parthenope. We fiddlers require, every
now and then, few months pause aud
abstraction from the too mercenary du-
ties of professional life, otherwise our
enthusiasm is apt to cool, and we. come
to look upon our once-loved art rs no
longer mistress to be worshipped, but q
trade to make money by. The appoint
ment gave me occupation, but at the
same time left abundant leisure to pro-
secute my other studies, and was per
fectly contented with my lot. The eli
mate and scenery are alone an intoxica-
ton, while the magnificent Toledo, with
its perpetual fair, the stately palaces of
the CHINA, or, better still, the unrivaled
bay, prohibit all ennui.
70 live, simply to live in this s'piece of
Heaven fallen on the EARTH" as the Nea-
politan calls his country, is positive
pleasure; and as the eye rests upon the
luxuriant gardens around, or catches the
sparkling foam of that delicious sen,
with Capri and Isohie in the distance,
we no longer wonder at the indolent,
pleasure-seeking nature of the people.
Like gentle opiate, lulling the sense
OF bodily pain, divine repose steals
over the fretted nerve and heated brain
in this delicious land of lavish lights
and floating shade;" and to the musician
living for the most part n highly artificial
life, amid the feverish excitements of
perpetual emulation, the lotus gift comes
with double welcome. Yielding en-
tirely to the surrounding influences, I
Stunned society as much rs possible,
and lived alone-alone with my loved
Stradivarius, best and most cherished of
friends. In solitary rambles through
tAAS PASooASoIuO otICoGS, au OCCuS1OuAl
sail to one of the small islands of Lazn-
retto and Nisida, or stroll to tho envi-
rons. the weeks passed by in delightful
succession, literally embarrassed with
the riches of nature and art. Nursed in
solitude, my ideas grew apace; sheet
after sheet of paper became crowded
with series of hieroglyphics, unintelli-
glbln to any but very practiced eye;
and I had already planned, and even
partly executed, work Of more ambi-
tious character than I had hitherto at
tempted.
The work, on which intended to rest
my reputation rs composer, now ab-
sorbed my whole attention, and in order
+ to avoid every possible distraction, I
raised my fees to such an amount as
would leave me undisturbed by concert
givers. The pay of my appointment
amply covered my expenses, and for a
few months, at least, resolved to live
in retirement. TO announce publicly
that declined to accept any engage
ments, would have been an insult to
those who so kindly welcomed me be-
sides was "only fiddler" and had to
live by my art, and was, moreover, sat
is6ed with my condition. My only OBJ
ject was to gain short respite from the
excitement OF solo playing, and to give
my fingers holiday, not for moment
to abandon the profession which Ind
chosen in opposition to the counsels of
my best friends, but which, with all it's
drawbacks, is the only one that would
ever have satisfied the aspirations of my
heart The rnse answered perfectly, for
in n land where instrumental performers
are proverbially i'll paid, ten louis ap-
peared an exorbitant honorarium. So
lived in peace, fulfilling my allotted
task, occasionally giving my services
gratuitously, when the object was one
OF charity, but otherwise eschewing
public life. A quartette of Beethoven's
or Mendelssohn's was the only tempta-
tion to which I yielded; and these glo-
rious works never revealed their won
drous wealth of harmony to my ears so
fully, ms when performed in my "parlor
near the sky" overlooking the azure
sea.
One morning. toward the end of March.
as was sitting alone smoking, and cor.
rectipg the score of my new work, the
door suddenly opened, and foreign
looking footman entered the room, with