The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1884-01-03
TRANSFORMERS ODD METHODS.
strange Sources OF Anspirttlon--HOw
surroundings Affect Iic Magnetic
Mind.


Some amusing features from the lives
of celebrated mel have been brought
together by Ger nan wri50r. Auher
wrote on horseback; it VAS not Nosslble
for HIM to write in any other place than
in Paris, however beautiful another
residence might be, and however many
other attractions it might offer. Adam
composed the best when he lay with his
clothes on in bed, and showed as great
antipathv to all landscapial beauty as
love to his cats. The same antipathy to
all natural beauty is charged to Doni-
zetti, who always slept when he went
on a journey, when he should have
given his attention to the romantic
scenery of Switzerland and Italy.
Elmarosa could not write without hav-
ing lot of friends around him, with
whom he kept up an active conversation
about art matters.
Sacchmi's train OF thought was inter-
rupted when his cats did not play their
antics upon his writing desk. Sarti
could only become inspired in room
without furniture, and which was dimly
lighted. Spontini could only compose
in the dark, and Meyerbeer composed
best during violent thunder storms,
under the roof of his house. Salieri
gained his inspiration while he walked
quickly through the streets filled with
human throng, meantime eating
great quantity of CONNECTIONS. Haydn,
in order to compose. sat in q soft arm
chair, with his gaze directed to heaven.
Gluck, composed in the open
air, best in the glaring sunshine.
He liked champagne by his
work, and ges:iculated very violently,
as if he were an actor on the boards.
Handel wandered in the church-yard,
and when he wished to become inspired,
he sat himself down in one corner of it,
which WAS shaded by weeping willows.
Paesiello composed in bed, and did not
leave it until he had finished n whole
operate scene or act. Mehul was
great worshiper of flowers, and often
fell into silent reverie in observing
them. He felt happiest in quiet gar
den.
Mozart gained his inspiration by
reading Homer, Dante, Petrarch, Schil-
Ter, Ossian and Victor Hugo. Schiller
inspired his muse by the smell of rot
ten apples, which he kept constantly in
his desk besides this he liked to live
amid surroundings corresponding to
the subject upon which he worked.
When he wrote the last act to Mary
Stuart" he had his servants clothed in
black; and so long as he worked on
"Wallenstein" he neglected no review
or other military spectacle, and at
home his wife must sing battle
pieces to him. Goethe loved to have
plastic works of art before him as he
wrote. 1t is known that in his crea-
ton of his lphigenia, he had the image
of an antique female before him, in
order to see if that which he made his
heroine say would suit the features be-
fore him.
Jean Paul replenished his ideas while
taking walk, and drank glass of beer
now and then on the way. In writing
he loved the strong smell of flowers.
Herr Won Kleist worked with great diff
Guilty. and when he made poetry, it was
as if he had conflict with an invisible
fend. Just the opposite was the case
with Father Wieland. In making his
poems he trilled a lively song, and
sometimes would spring away from his
work and cut a caper in the air. Kotze-
bue, in the composing of his dramas was
also actor. He himself acted single
scenes in his study. 1t is related that
when Sand murdered him, his little son,
as he saw him reel and then writhe upon
the ground, cried to his mother, SEQ,
mamma, father plays comedy again!"
Burger, the immortal poet of Leonore,
is said to have whistled street songs as
he wrote his verse on paper. His con-
versation in such moments is said to
have been obscene. Holderlin was
often found crying when he composed
poems. Similar things are said of the
French romance writer Lafontaine. His
wife once found him before his writing
desk swimming in tears. "Oh, it is too
sad" he said. ''It don't go at ALL" he
sobbed; 81 am still in the first volume"
Matthison wrote his poems by noon
light, while standing at the window.
Lamartine wrote his best things in the
morning. before breakfast, while sitting
before the fire.
A contemporary of Dumas wrote thus:
"The writing desk of Alexander Dumas
presents picture of classical disorder.
The study floor is covered with books
and papers, behind which he is seated,
formally barricaded. Also quantity
of dogs, cats, poultry, pigeons, and
singing birds are to be seen around,
and these he feeds, strokes, and keeps
out of mischief while writing. In the
background stand a number of printers
devils waiting for copy, and booksellers