The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1871-03-04
HANDEl's AFFAIR or HONOR.

recommendation of some amateurs of
music.
Absorbed in his reveries, he had not
remarked that ct the same table with
himself was seated a tall man of large
proportions, who appeared to regard
with interest the detected countenance
of his Uis-d.Uis.
This man was a celebrity. His name
was Jean Jacques Heidegger, born at
Zurich, and married there. Fatal con-
sequences of an intrigue, however, had
compelled him to leave his country,
and trust to his wits for livelihood. A
rich gentleman, fond of travelling, en-
gagged him as his companion. By this
means Heidegger was enabled to see all
the principal cities of Europe, where q
feeling and taste for artistic enjoyments
developed themselves. The rich gen.
tleman also conducted him to London,
in which city, by his insinuating man
ners, he knew how to conciliate the
good graces of the young friends who
took him under their protection. Ger
tain ingenious observations upon the
absurdities of the nais-en-scene in operas
and masquerades struck the persons
lntrusted with their management
Some splendid arrangements on one
occasion attracted the attention of King
George, who nominated Heidegger in
tendant of the royal and public diper-
easements. This employment gave
him, in his sphere, great influence, and
brought him five thousand pounds
sterling year-which, nevertheless,
hardly sufiiced to meet the calls of his
folly and extravaganza.
The exterior of Heidegger presented
asingular contrast. He was, as we have
already said, robust and tall; he was
also well made. His features, however,
were repulsive in their ugliness, and 81
exceptional that he made boast of it.
He was ever the first to laugh at his
hideous countenance, and make it the
object of inexhaustible jokes. Thus,
one day, he offered to make a bet with
Lord Chesterfield that he could not find
in all London face as ugly as his. The
wager was accepted, and Lord Chester
field introduced as his champion for
the prize a very old woman, with a
nose like a but-end of lemon. At
sight of her, the judges of the wager
broke forth into peals of laughter, cry
ing: "Heidegger has lost" He, with
out moving from his seat, took off his
peruke, placed it on the head of tie old
woman, and finished by carrying off
the victory. In fact, this change of
costume had an overwhelming effect;
under her masculine head-dress the old
dame became supportable, while Hell
degger had the yeritable physiognomy
of a witch.
A countenance so striking could no
fail to attract the looks of the youn
artist. He raised his eyes to Heidegger,
and fancied he saw in his features an
expression of raillery.
"At last" exclaimed Heidegger.
"YOu have been weeping long time
like a woman! Be man."
Handel was astonished. What
right" he asked, "haJe you to busy
yourself with my tears ?n
"I do not like to see young peopl
bewail themselves shamefully; and for
what? For pair of pretty eyes, or a
rosy cheek. Remember the words of
Fontenelle: "A lovely woman is the
paradise of the eyes, the hell of the soul,
and the purgatory of the pocket"
"My paradise is snatched from me,n
murmured Handel, in a low voice.
"And that is what chagrins you?
sooner deliver yourselfup to the will of
an assassin. He at least would put you
out of misery"
"You despise woman, like all de-
baucheesT'
''There are no virtuous women; /,
with my disgusting mask ofa face, even
l could captivate and possess any wo-
man / chose, no matter whom; l
maintain the same thing in regard to
your paradise"
Handel jumped from his seat. "Sir,"
he sand, with tone of voice full of no
bleness, "whatever your philosophy
may be, it gives you no right to mock
an unfortunate wretch. Allow me to
ask for your address; have an affair
with YOU"
81 reside in COrnhill street, and you
will always find me at home at seven
O'Clock in the morning. You have but
to ask for The Owl-the first child you
meet will show you my dwelling"
Handel bowed and departed.
The next day at seven o'clock pre-
cisely Handel walked into the chamber
of The Ort.
Heidegger made him most gracious
salutation. "Pray be seated. Will
yOu lthC a Cup vi SuOSOfoeC WAth L4O
"Sir, l have not come to your house
to breakfast with you, but on an affair.""
am delighted; but, before going
out, / always take my chocolate. lido
not wish to change my habits in any
way, and | shall be most happy if you
would do as l do. You decline? AS
you please"
As soon as breakfast was finished,
they went out together. Passing before
church, Heidegger entered.
"What are you going to do therew
''To pray, to be sure; always COM
mence business with prayer; that's my
CUSTOM"
"Very well, then, / will accompany
you," rejoined Handel, upon whom the
sdnafroid of his adversary made deep
impression.
On issuing from the church, Heideg-
ger directed his steps towards St James
Park.
"What do you intend doing here >"
asked Handel.
~ go every morning twice round the
great alley; that is my CUSTOM"
'@Io-day, think, you will renounce
it, and you will not refuse to fight with
me?"
''To fight with you? Indeed, l have
not the least desire for such thing !;
besides, you have not mentioned the
affair you alluded to, and l am anx-
ious to have your communication.
Moreover, l would thank you to make
haste, as the royal orchestra of the
opera awaits me for the rehearsal"
'rrhe orchestra of the opera? Who
aIs you, thenT"
ii am Heidegger, the irtendant of
the. kings privy pleasure-purse."
'tIn that case have letters of recon-
mendation for you. l am George Fred
erick Handel"
'The composer of whom Europe
talks so much at this moment"'
Precisely"
"You intend to write an opera here ~
"Who told you that?'
'tQueen Anne"
''Then tell her majesty l will COM
mence 1t to-day, and that it will be
ready for performance in fortnight" !"
In short, fifteen days afterwards all
the fashionable world of London gave
an enthusiastic reception to the new
opera of Handel, entitled R6iatdo.
The advantage of having ones crani-
um uncrowded with too much brain,
was recently realized i'm remarkable
manner by Prince William of Baden.
A bullet entered his head, within an
inch of his left eye, and, piercing the
| duct of the ear, came out a little behind
it. The leaden explorer found nothing
| of consequence in its track, except the