New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-09-14


SiXtus BeckmsSser was ever known to lie. that
document ought to settle the disputed question
whether such minstrel knight as Tannhaeuser
ever lived. II he did not live how could he have
composed the melody IN my portfolio and il he
didn't compose it, who did? But more and be-
yOnd and above all that have seen and explored
the very cave in which Tannhaeuser lived with
his fair ensIaver. / may not approve Of NenusS
choice of n dwelling, and may hereafter give sug-
gestions to scenc-paintPrs touching a necessary
remodclIiny of the croto which figures In the first
act of Wagner's opera, hut shall have to hear
testimony evermore that the cave is not Pigment
of the Imagination, and that its existence and the
Wartburg's and the melody in my portfolio are
so many proofs Of the truthfulness OF the Old
story of Tannhaeuser and Venus. 1t was little
disturbing to lind that Venus had moved and taken
all the roseatc light with her, and that the ballet
with which she entertained her lover must have
been cramped for space, but such facts need not
darken the main issue The cave is there, right
in the Hoerselbcrg where the story says it is, and
if Venus didn't use to live in it, who did
So long as the imagination Of mankind has
left record of it's activities here the cave III
the llocrselbrrg has been the scene Of strange
goings-on. Fantastic writer's long ago said that
the mountain itself resembles coffin. but I
have never been good at seeing rscmblancess
and the mountain didn't look like coffin TO me
not much more than the consultations Of stars
look like the animals they named after.
l STE the Big Dipper but not the Great
Bear But something. either the shape Of the
mountain or the loneliness of the cave. or tho
eloquence of some prmcval teller Of ghost stories,
made the cave upon the IIoersclberg the fountain
head of Thuringian legend Before Christianity
came to reconstruct the old stories it tho
home of Dame Ioda. or hole. and the horde
that used 10 20 tearing on wild rout through
the German forests in the Iuctime Dame hole.
like Macy another character in 1cutonio
MYTHOLOGY was bcnignant creature, whose
blessing brought fruituncss IL fields and vine-
yards, before the Christian priests metamorph0sed
her into thing of evil. She was the mother
Of all the fiyS and fairies that followed in the
train OF the Wild lIantsman. and though sls
appeared sometimes as a seductive siren ana
tempted wanderers 10 their destruction. she APP
pcared oftencr an old woman, who rewarded
acts Of kindness with endless generosity. After
priestly sermons had transformed her into q
hcautcous shctevil she still kept up her residence
in the cave. which now in turn rDok on a new
character. Ecnturcsome people who got near its
mouth either purposely by accident. told OF
strange noises which ISSUED from it, like the
rushing Of waters or the voice Of subierranean
Honnl The priests supplied explanation and
etymology Ia lii the rev state Of things. Inc
nos" was tie lamcniatI"n ot IN" SOILS IN ONO
fires Of purg,tory. 10 which place OF tTmrnG
The cave opening. This accounted Ior
the old German name Of the mountain. fioer-
Scclbcrg.' or lcar-son >-nlouniaIn. L" WHICH
Latin writer's added another. Mons lorrisonns'
the Mountain of Horrible Solnis Tie forbid
ding character of the exterior was no check on
the fancy OF the medieval stoIy-ieer. how
ever who pictured tie interior OF the mountain
MS a marvellous palace. and filled II with glitter
ing Jewels and treasures lncaiculanlc.
1annhaeuscr's adventures within this magicaI
cavern are familiar 10 English readers as we'll as
German but that tale is only one Of many.
Poets sang the glo:irs and pleasures OF the ave
OF Venus undeterred by the awful tales OF tho
mon +, and priests. From them we Know many my
wondrous thin-s concerning the appearance Of tho
Interior the caves inhabitants ana their merry
maliinss which have never been disclosed TO the
vulgar eye. Knight Adclbert of Ihnrlnsla was
one of those who experienced the dclishtS>of the
Cave. Yet unlike IannhacuSPr, IN The orlgiiai
legend. was saved at last. lie met faithful Eek
not To enter. but enhancing music sounded WIN
in and he powcrcss Ia resist. lie entered.
Three maid'ns came forward TO meet HIM lhey
airily clad. flowers were twisted In their
brown locks and they. waved branches before
them AZ they smiled and hcckone ard sang q
song Of Springs AwaS"Hin- flor ll",da IS thr god
dies, Of Spring well as Love. WHAT conld SIR
over their white shoulders and led the way
through narrow Passage INTO garden Iilrroun,
Gnldcn-harrd maicns. loyclicr than the flowers,
VINO wandered about hand in hand and sang with
sirens voirrS'? In the mi'!;" ot tie r,se-bcd:cd
garden stood rcd gate, wnl"h bore IN gold leu
tcS this lr-rnd:
HERE DAME VENTS HOLDS COURT.
Tie ga,chrrpcr was the fairest of the mnidcns
and her fingers were busy weaving garland OF
ROSES, but She stopped her work long enough ~
smile welcome To Sir Adclhert. lie thanked
her calamity and qlcricd Was the pretty sight
"A May day crcbration9 Replied m" winsoin"
.airkcrpcr: " Here Dame Venus holds court IN
hon AZ flo noLlr knipht Sir 1annhqoSsr ami
she opened the gate and Nclhrrt entered. Within
he bcheI gay tent pitched III grove of Hover
creature and advanced toward him. Would YOU
know how She WIS clad Her robe was rose
colorri adorned with strings Of pearls and teS.
tnoncd with fragrant blossoms \ crown which
gli,tNnsd with GEMS rested lightly on her head.
In her right hand. dainty hand. she carried q
tiny kcrchrf of hlmy white sun embroidered
self down on golden chair. bent her head over
her left shoulder. \ dreamy. tender li2ht came
into her eyes ard her rosy finger, sought me
strings Of her lut"-ihc STRINGS of gold Would
size sing? Just them of her maldrns APP
preached her, lispcd unsteady into her ear AID
pointed to the approaching knight. Almost i'm
Vision moved. ~ if in obedience TO command
the maiden approached and said in rlytln'aI
rairnrc: directing. Sir knight. from Dame
Venus. who sends You mr>saD.' that all who love
gaining and fair woincp are welcome AZ her court
She gave him her band 20 escort him. and when
the Kn-ht pressed her hand in gratitude he felt
n grntlc pressure in return. The Knight APP
protrhcd the dazzling Queen of the Palace and
iel upon his knee: but she gave him her hand
and lm,lr him arise, ~hirh hr did after he had
kissed her fingers. And she called 10 maiden
who fetched golden horn filled Ia the hrm with
wine and handed il I" the Knight. Empty the
goblet like true Knight I" the health of all fair
women who love AMI are beloved. cried the
Queen Sir Adchcrt smiled obedience To
Love. fair Lady," he sid. and drank the wine at
n draught. And thus he berame a captive and a
slave Long did he sojourn within the magic
rculm in loving daliianCc with Venus and her
mai,cns until ore day hermit entered the cave
in the absence Of the Queen and bore him hack
to the ourcr world where prnancc and deeds OF
piety restored him 10 moral health aud saved him
from the fate Of Tannhacn>cr.
This tale and many Others were in the Pill
grm's mind when hr resolved To explore tho
Cave Of Venus lie armed himself with his most
winning smile and put wildiowers in his
huttnnhnle M Eckllart camc 10 WIN HIM and