Smyrna times., 1871-11-29
BeethoVen's Experience as Cook.

A musical festival to the memory of Lndvip
Won Beethoven was held at Bonn, on the
Rhine, Germany, the birthplace OF this re-
nowncd composer, August %, u and -. 4
celebration OF his centenary on December 18th
last, IN his native city, was prevented bv tie
late European war TO the many incidents oI
Beethoven's life narrated on the occasion of his
centenary, quite ludcrous one, which oc.
CURED when he liYed in Vienna, has been
added 10 late number Of the L,ipsc Garfca-
tduGe. ltllluStrates the sad domestic lie of the
great but unfortunate man, who never was mar
rled and died deaf Adapted from the Ger
man the incident reads as follows:
The great musician extended his genius to
his household. producing chaos. He strictly
forbade the things in his room to be put in
order. Only with his special permission was
the broom used to sweep the floor He used
this as waste basket, Il rowing all envelopes
on 1t, and sometimes the torn letters too.
Books or notes were lying on every chair.
The dishes even from breakfast were some
times lett in his room till the next morning
When he was searching for something the
chaos became alive. LoOsened manuScripts
tell IN their several ways to the floor and wine
bottles came rolling from the corners But
what he was searching for he could not find.
because the confusion grew still worse bv his
J.
quenly mlslaid something, however, and search
ing was, therefore, a common occupation of
his
The active composer on such occasions often
chlded his hOuSekeeper, whom he strangely
called Mrs. Schnapps. He asserted that all
the trouble, all the disorder was her f,ult,
stating that he himself was strictly orderly.
and could find even a pin again at nght.time
IT everything in his room had not been changed
by her. The principal cause of this disorder
was the discontented, morose composer 5
frequent change Of residence. He frequently
changed his residence. but never took neces-
sary time to tit up new home properly.
Once he missed most precious manuscript
the score of his famous symphony, copied
completely and neatly. Poor Beethoven
searched for it over a fortnight Finally he
found 1T. But alas where? In the Kitchen
where 1t was placed under butter, bacon, and
other provisions. Quite beside himself from
ire, he threw all the eggs at hand at his cook 5
head and turned her out of the house. He
determined not TO admit such person to his
kitchen again. The meals, moreover, he said.
for long time had not been to his taste.
Remarking that cooking was not more difficult
than composing, he determined to tend the
kitchen himself He went to the market and
made his purchases. Glad of the choice and
cheapness OF the provisions. he invited several
friends to dinner, and went to work 10 prepare
all the dishes himself When the guests came
they were astOnished to see their host in the
kitchen. lie wore white cap and apron, like
a cook by trade The fire on the hearth
blazed, the pots seethed the butter in the pan
slzzled, but nothing was ready at the appointed
time. Beethoven stood in despair, menacing
now with the ladle, then with the carving
knife. The ungOvernabe pots he overset,
and set them up again. He burnt his fingers,
but he burnt the roast meat far more. The
guests waited impatienty for the results of
Beethoven labors as a cook.
At last he came triumphantly from the
kitchen like warrior from the battlefield. But
his victories were not great. The soup looked
thin and poor. Beethoven did not know that
it had to be SKINNED, and let it boil too long,
continually adding water. The vegetables had
not come in contact with the water. They were
covered with sand and swan in grease. But
the most horrible of all was the roast meat.
Nobody could eat anything except Beethoven
himself, who did full justice to his cookery
The guests asked for some bread, butter and
cheese, and drank of the good wine which had
been ordered in addition to the dinner.
On the day following Mrs. Schnapps entered
into Beethoven s kitchen again. He had seen
that cooking must be learned, like his own sub
lime art. and he thought it best not to meddle
with it any more.
Thou rainest in my BOSOM" as the chap |