The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1874-07-25
N THE HOUR OF TRIUMPH.
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renee. Many Of your readers will re-
member the sorrowful story Of poor
Thomas Chatterton, who, after writing
some of the most brilliant poems ever
given to the world by youthful genius,
and after deliberately deceiying( with
no evil intent) Horace, ,Walpole and
most European critics, died by selfpois-
oning to escape starvation at the early
age Of nineteen years. His story isa
sad one, but even more diretul conclu-
sion of a wonderful life has Germany
Just witnessed, = to its.shame, perhaps
or rather was the whole affair due to
the indomitable and indiscreet industry
and what may well be termed reckless
pride and self-neglect on the part of the
victim, whose ability might at least
have earned him bread. The world
knows little of'the privations-to which
the learned men of Germany frequent
|ly doom themselves for the love of
learning alone, and has been startled
and shocked by the story Of Emmanuel
Deutsch, the author of that wonderful pa
per ON the "Talmud," Of which all the
world is now talking. Men here who
might in better sphere reap happiness,
from their research (of so much value)
are, perforce, doomed to live too fire.
quently all their lives ION crust of
bread and little beer and tobacco a
day. They, as the old story runs, dis
cover something about the "dahtif kas,'
and that is their only reward.
A wealthy gentleman Of Berlin some
ten months ago offered a number Of
valuable prizes for the best essays that
should be written on several subjects
of Importance to the learned world;
a prize of two hundred thalers for
the best metaphysical essay, and an
equal sum each for essays on medieval
history, astronomy celestial mechanics,
sociology, geology, poetry, and-appar-
emily to show his world-wideliness-fye
hundred thales each for the best roman
tic tale and the best poem. the prizes to
be awarded by committee selected
from the various universities aud vari-
GUS designated hArateurs Of eminence
who were supposed to be, and, as the
sequel showed, really were disintercst-
ed in the matter, and willing to do OH
ly what justice might require. The es-
says and poems were to be of no par
ticular length, and were to be Judged
simply by their merits, but the authors
must all be German. The wealth and
reputation Of the man who offered the
prizes were such a sufficient guarantee
of certainty Of payment and OF conse-
quent reputation as to set half, If not
all, Of the younger men Of Germany at
work to achieve the gucrdon of success.
On last Thursday. at the Gewandt-Hans
at Leipsic, the prizes were awarded,
large company Of gentlemen and ladies
being present. The ceremonies were
begun by most exquisite music by the
old orchcstra-among whom are num-
bercd men who knew and loved Men
dclssohn-at the conclusion Of which
the venerable DR.. Schmidt, so long
known for his kindness and learning at
Heidelberg, announced the names Of
those who had been so fortunate rs to
carry off the very valuable prizes Of
fcred. The names Of the authors Of the
various works had been sent in sealed
envelopes, on which were inscribed the
fictitious names signed to their produc-
tons. The author of the metaphysical
essay had chosen as his theme Rants
"Antinomien der reinen verunft" Anti
monies Of Pure Reason), and taken as
his name for the occasion, Hans Wild
enstein." After eulogium on the es-
say, DR.. Schmidt broke the seal and
found in the envelope the name of Max
Markham, who thercupon was called
upon the stage to receive the reward Of
his work. A pale, poorly-clad and most
wretched-looking young man stepped
forward and was received with hearty
applause. His hair was thin and gray,
although he was plainly yet young, and
his whole appearance was such as to at
once awaken the sympathies of the au-
dience. Having received his reward,
he stepped quietly aside, and DR..
Schmidt continued his announcement,
Markham sitting near him, pale and
still, in q. large armchair. The astro
nomical essay was on the Evolution of
1.,1r r. A.