The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1886-04-30
The "MarseiIlaise."
"
Chamber Magazine.


OF all the airs which deserve L
be termed national that of the
French "Marseillaise" is, without
doubt, the most lively and exciting
"The sound of it," says Carlyle
twill make the blood tingle in mems
veins and whole armies aud assem-
blageS will sing it with eyes weep
ing aud burning, with hearts def
ant of death, despot aud devil.'
Even in times OF peace aud quiet
ness it Is impossible to listen to its
animating strains without experien.
cling a certain thrill, and its effects
on au impetuOus people in the
troublous times of the past may be
readily imagined. Such was its
power upon the French that 1t was
at one time forbidden to be played
or sung, and the prohibition extend
ed until 1870, when the Minister
of War issued u circular authOrlz-
ing bands TO play the tune at re-
views and official ceremonies.
Considering the extraordinary
part which the "MarSeillaise" has
played in the affairs of France, we
might not u~nreasOnabIy expect
that the words and air had ema-
mated from genius who had bestOw.
ed much labor and care on their
production. And yet, as the story
goes, both words and music were
written in one night, without any
previous s~ketching out or after
elaboration. The author aud com.
poser was Rouget de Lisle, an officer
of engineers, who had formerly
been ii teacher of music. He was
greatly admired among his ac
luaintances tor poetical and music
gifts, and vas especially intimate
With Baron Dietrich, the mayor of
Strasburg. One evening during
spring of 1892 De Lisle was a
guest at the table of the family.
Ihe barOn's resources had been so
reduced by the necessities
md calamities of the war that
nothing better than garrison bread
md a few slices of ham could be
'Tovied foI dinner. Dietrich smiled
at his friend, aud, lamenting
he scantilesS OF his fare, declared
hat he would bring forth the last
emaimug bottle of Rhine wine iu
lis cellar if he thought it would
Ielp to inspire De LisIe in the COM
'osition of a patriotic song. The
ldies siguiied their approval
nd sent for the last bottle of wine
he house could boast of. After
iuner De Lisle returned to bis
chamber, and in IA fit of
Enthusiasm with which the wine
lust have had little enough to dO)
opposed the words and music OF
le song which has inmOrtalized
is name. The following morning
e FASTENED with it to his friend
'ietrich, in whose house il was
ing for the first time, exciting
reat enthusiasm. A few d VS. af-
1t was publicly performed
Strasburg, and GU June % it was
ing at a banquet in Marseilles
It'll so much effect that it was
at once aud distributed
DOng the troops just starting for
arts. They entered the capital
nging their new hymn, which they
I'D called "Chant dies Marsellais,"
I'd soon the tune was known
Iroughout every part of France. :
De Lisle's claim to the author
Zip was at one time disputed, but
q truth of the story which we 4
given regarding the origin of
air has long since been proved
,yOHd a doubt. 1t should be men.
)ned that the French have another Z
Itional tune, "Partant pour la |
RE-" which is, however, not very !
and not very meritoriOus.
that we need to say of it is that
WAS composed By HortenSe, the
other of Napoleon.