Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-07-06
&inhs 1i1iS sSketfltes.


he Nlserere II AllegPi.
Had our header stood without the spa
cious e11ce oftne Sistine ChSpel 81 Rome.
on the evening a April IS. 1870, he vonld
have stecoq1e. in measure. almost bewa.
dered 1t the masses Of people rushing past
In IN indiscriminate haste to gain admis-
sion to the building. The crowd, in its
intense eagesness. was no respecfer of
persons and the rich and poor were jostled
about with equal indifference. Perhaps.
in all this throng, his eyes would not have
escaped noticing two forms. evidently faith
er and son. who appear to possess greater
eigerDess. and were unusually intent on
being in time for the solemn services CT
the hour. Their dress indicated the poorer
station in life, but their faces and manners
betOkeued an intelligence more than is
ordinarily grated to man. The father
was al absorbed in careful watchfulness
over his SON. who was lost to all discreet
ness in his anxiety to reach the appointed
place in good season. But the reader must
look after his own individual interests,
else he will be one of great number who
will soon be unable to find access to the
building. In entering. let us take care
that in doing 80 we do not lose sight OF
this couple, which fa' by this time so ex
e.ted our curiosity.
What grand. glorious spectacle now
unfolds itselfto the eye! The chapel is al
most ablaze with countless wax candles,
and IL filed almost to suffication with a
mass Of human beings. The walls are
hung with magnificent pictures Of the
most famous masters of the past and pres
ent. Here on the right is that masterpiece
Of Michel Angelo, The Last Judgment
and upon all sides do we see the richest
gems of the great art. The alter is
one Of unusual maguifcences and the
appearance of the organ, choir. and or
chestra. indicates that the music will con-
stitute the most interesting feature of the
solemn services. Note the impression
this scene has produced upon the sensitive
nature of this yOuth.-how his breast
heaves with anxious expectation. and his
limbs tremble at the grandness of the
sight! Now, the rich, mellow tones Of the
organ are heard. and the mass has COM
menced. But suddenly. as if some magi-
cal power had asserted itself, the count
less lights, with the exception of fifteen
burning high above the altar, are sudden
" extinguished. The singing of the
fifteen psalms now begins; and, at the
ending Of each psalm, one OF the lights
is extinguished. until the beautiful chapel
lays in ghostly gloom. From the gal
lery rises in grand harmOnies the Mdtuti-
no dele Ienebre from a choir of 32 male
voices, without orchestra or organ
accompaniment, concluding with the
Miserere. The impressiveness Of the
scene has not failed IN its effect upon the
people. who, brought to sudden con-
seriousness of the sins of the past, now
feel the pangs of remorsefulness, and the
hot tears flowing down their cheeks, all
reminding them that they are but poor
children of the dust. The great Miserere
is finished, and the now gloomy chapel is
silent - death. Slowly, the vast multi
tude have retired but not so with the
youth, who remains rooted to the spot
with indescribable feelings. The father,
DESTROYS Of indulging him in such worthy
emotions, hesitates on reminding him that
they are almost entirely alone. But, fear
ing that the reyerie may already have
been INDUCED in too long. lays his hand
gently on the youths head, and tells
him they mnst depart. The boy
starts convulsively. as il awaken
ing out of dream, and pass
ing his hand across his brow and eyes, as
If to bring to his recollection his situation,
mods assent: and the two depart from the
chapel, and slowly but silently wend their
way to their humbel lodgings. Both are
deeply impressed with the grandeur and
reverence OF the scenes through which
they have passed, and, being weary. re-
tire to rest. No sooner had the father
fallen asleep than the boy arises. immedi
ately lights the lamp. prepares music pa
per and pen. and, throwing open the win
dow, gazes into the silent darkness OF the
Eternal City. Soon, he recalls himself,
closes the window. seats himself at the
table, and commences to write.
When the following mornings sunrise
bade welcome to the world, it threw its
silver rays upon beautiful boyish head
that was peacefully resting with folded
hands across the desk, fast asleep with
WEAKNESS and toll; and its sister rays
gilded the music paper lying beside the
tired sleeper. on whose closely written
pages appeared the remarkable compost
ton that heads our sketch. Miserere of
Allegri.
He was at the age of only fourteen had
performed what has ever since been re-
garded as almost q miracle had written
out. incredulous as it may seem, that
wonderful masterpiece of composition
which the Roman Church had so Jealous
~ guarded under pain of excommunica-
ton TO any one of its singers who should
lend, show, or copy a single note Of it,
written out from memory, after one hear
ing and without an error,-was no other
than the great genius of music, Wolfgang
Amadeus NOTWITHSTANDING
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Browne Iron Bitters never fail to cure these
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with good results.'
DIR. ]. NJ. Klein. Wa4erboro, SC, SAYS
| t.RPnwnse SON hara