Franz Liszt

Author(s): Elise Polko

Source: The Aldine, Vol. 7, No. 9 (Sep., 1874), pp. 180-182
Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/20636859
Accessed: 16-09-2018 20:06 UTC

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 i8o - THE ALDI NE.
audience did not in the least disturb him, for he
LA SCEUR M?CONTENTE. Monica, the mother, of St. Augustin; the other,
appeared as calm and assured as an experienced around that figure, so full of life and animation, the
* TfiiM the fire, little sister, turn at
mariner the bannocks,
his helm cease
upon a troubled sea.your
Why, hum
Frankfort patrician, Madame von Goethe.
ming ; then, did that woman still tremble, and seem so full
I must to the brook for cresses, through the burning noontide
In the first group we find those ethereal beings,
"heat; of anxiety? whose eyes are ever directed heavenward, yet who
Soon from out the gleamy meadows will the harvesters be com She could hear, indeed, how they applauded the on earth are the guardian angels of their children,
ing; boy, and she saw a joyful expression cross his face, gently following their footsteps, and who become the
Ah, the jolly, jesting fellows, how they laugh and how they as he returned to his father's side, .during a short ideal of the youthful dreamers, and the comforting
eat!
interval of rest. The pretty little songstress in a angel of the man in his hour of death. In the sec
Hasten, little idler, hasten, for the reapers leave the wheat."
white satin dress, with a rose behind her left ear, ond we see clever, true women, with smiling eyes
who now sang an air full of trills, won no look of and cheerful faces; women who understand how to
' Nay my sister, busy sister, ask me not to hunt the cresses,
Turn the bannocks, trim the fire, for my heart is sad to-day; admiration from those large eyes fringed with dark teach their sons to comprehend human life in all its
Like a homesick, captive creature, when the chain its soul op lashes, for they were immovably fixed upon the fullness, and from whom their sons inherit a happy
presses, young boy's pale face. His features were delicately disposition, and also the desire to become authors of
I am pining for the brightness of a sunshine far away: molded, the mouth small and aristocratic, and some romance. It would be an interesting work to clas
Do not chide me, sister Annie, do not bid me longer stay.
times he would push back the rich golden hair, with sify the mothers of our martyrs, heroes, poets and
an impatient gesture, from his forehead. The little artists, according to this division.
' I can hear a voice of calling, from the merry, merry city,
Catch the silken, stir of dancers, and sweet instruments in tune, songstress now withdrew, followed by the liveliest The first journey that Liszt made was to Paris,
And I hear a voice of music weave the tenderest love-ditty, applause, and swept by him, but not without passing that wonderfully beautiful, cruel sphinx, with the
With a timing in its rhyming like our little brooks in June. her hand caressingly over his hair. The woman in bewildering smiles and lion's claws. The Conserv
Ah ? the opulent fair city, lying, gem-like, 'neath the moon! the lace vail noticed it and sighed. Then the bo)r atory, then under Cherubini's guidance, was the star
stepped toward the piano, and after a childish salu whose light attracted the young artist's soul with
' So my sister, busy sister, tend your bannocks, hunt your cresses,
tation, the slender fingers glided over the keys in such irresistible power. Both parents accompanied
Deck your hair for the coming of the harvesters, I pray;
Hummel's H minor concerto. The- listeners were their son to the modern Babylon. The composer of
Wild flowers growing in the mowing well may suit your simple
tresses, ? enchanted, and a slight flush of pleasure spread the " Matrimonia Segretto" and the " Wassertr?
Mine must pale in flash of diamonds, redden in the ruby's ray, itself over the countenance of the woman who sat gers" listened to the slender fingers play, and was
Do not chide me, do not hold me, for my heart is far away." in the corner of the room. astonished at the flapping of the wings of this young
Again the charming signorina warbled an air full eagle; but Franz Liszt could not, as he so earnestly
' Nay my sister, restless sister, this fair blossom of your dreaming desired, become a pupil of the famous music school,
of difficult variations, shrugged her pretty shoulders,
Holds but dust and bitter ashes that shall strew your wildered
way; and threw enticing glances in all directions ; and at for the laws prohibited the entrance of strangers.
Ah 1 the greedy, cruel city; gorgeous in its serpent-seeming? last bowed with charming coquetterie again and again, Yet, on the other hand, the boy became something
It will crush you in its coiling, it will sting you where you as they cried " Brava!" Then the boy took his else in a very short space of time?the favorite of
stray, place for the last time, and improvised. One scarcely all Paris.
Home is with the heart that loves you, ?leave me not alone I dared to breathe, and the silence was so profound, it Henceforth, one met the boyish form in all the
pray." salons of the highest nobility, where beautiful eyes
reminded one of a church during prayer-time. His
fingers wove themes of Beethoven's and Mozart's looked admiringly upon him, and soft white hands
' Hush, my sister, timid sister, I will have a noble lover,
He shall choose from many maidens, and be faithful to his into one another with variations, in the most magi caressed him. By the success that he achieved, and
choice. cal manner. A proud smile stole over Salieri's the kindness and attention of his masters, Paer and
(Which of all my peasant-suitors ever sought to be a rover?) furrowed countenance, but the golden-haired woman Reicha, together with the tenderness of his parents, ,
I will win him with my beauty, I will charm him with my had allowed her head to sink upon her breast!, in that seemed to redouble itself as they saw him suf
voice.
order to conceal the tears that were falling fast upon fering from the abandonment of this earnest hope,
He with priest and ring shall wed me, and shall glory in his
choice. her cheeks; and she clasped her hands still more he was gradually comforted under the severe dis
tightly together, while a fervent prayer arose out of appointment of not being able to enjoy the advan
' So my sister, fearful sister, tend your bannocks, hunt your her. pure soul for the boy who played there. So tages of Cherubini's instructions.
cresses, deeply were her thoughts engaged in supplication, The Duke of Orleans, who afterward became King
Feed the hungry harvesters and marry whom you may, that she was not disturbed by the joyful shouts of of France, first named the boy a " new Mozart," and
Spread the linen for the bleaching, wash your little children's the crowd, that now after the last chords gave free this word was soon in every mouth. The Paris news
dresses, vent to their enthusiasm. But the sound of a voice papers, without exception, exhausted themselves in
Delving in a weary treadmill till your bonny hair is gray,
But the merry city calls me, and I must away, away 1" that she recognized made her start, as it said to her: praise of his rare and wonderful talent, and proph
" Madame, your son has played well. I am satis esied a great future. The concerts in which Adam
' Nay, my sister, wayward sister, reckon not to leave me lonely; fied with him. You will live to experience much Liszt allowed his son to appear were crowded, and
Not for me be pleasant home-cares ? love of husband ? while joy in him, and ought to be proud of your boy. the French people, so susceptible of enthusiasm,
you stray. We will go to him." offered all earthly ovations to the youthful virtuoso.
We of all our father's people, lingering remnants?we two only I The mother of Franz Liszt arose, and placed her But the sweet voice of this homage did not for a
Shall the serpent city part us ? Nay, my little dreamer, nay ;
Where thou wanderest, I will follow, where thou bidest I will hand within the arm of a large sinister-looking man, moment intoxicate the clear mind, already striving
stay. ?Helen Barron Bostwick. who stood before her; his hair was in artistic dis to attain the highest goal. Those who could have
order, and his dress had a neglected appearance. listened to him, and could have seen him possessed
The crowd were moving to and fro, jostling against of such calm assurance, and of such a spirituelle
FRANZ LISZT. one another in the excitement of the moment, but grace of manner, as he moved among his aristo
they gave place with every mark of respect, as be cratic friends, and again in the simple music-room
Once, on a November evening, in the year 1822, j fore the Emperor himself, to the couple who were at home, where for hours he would play Bach's
a large audience was assembled in the town hall at making their way toward the piano. They did not Fugues and Preludes, and endeavor to transpose the
Vienna, and the eyes of all were turned with eager speak to each other, but now and then, the mother's Fugues into another key, would have been equally
expectations in the direction of a delicate light soft eyes rested upon her companion, with a timid charmed with his earnest zeal. Still more brightly
haired boy, who was seen approaching the piano. look of admiration; and he nodded to her with glowed the cheeks, still more brilliant became the
Adam Liszt, the friend of Joseph Haydn and Hum almost fatherly kindness. At length the boy per eyes; the artist and student forgot time and hour,
mel, the celebrated pianist and violinist, led his son ceived them. until at last two delicate white hands were laid upon
Franz, only eleven years old, for the first time " Mamma, are you really here, and ? Beethoven ? " his fingers, two soft arms encircled him, and his hot
before the public who had known Mozart. The he cried, in a voice full of passionate excitement, and forehead sank upon his mother's shoulder. But this
seats usually occupied by men were not so thickly in another moment, the " star " of the evening had gentle guardian angel could no longer remain at his
crowded, yet all the musicians of note were there, thrown himself upon his mother's neck, and the kind side in Paris. She was recalled by the severe illness
and near the piano, one noticed Salieri's interest smile of Ludwig von Beethoven was the first laurel of her only sister to Gratz. Immediately after her
ing face, and the grave countenance of Czerny, the that was laid upon the brow of the young artist. departure, the father and son took a short journey
boy's master. The assemblage of women was a From that day the career of Franz Liszt was de into the Departments for the purpose of winning
brilliant one; they sparkled, smiled and languished, cided, and the mother gave him up, notwithstanding fame and gold, and they were induced by this same
as a bed of flowers after a dewy summer night, and a thousand anxious fears. Bravely she concealed motive to extend their travels further and further,
many considered it a good omen that the young within her own mind the tormenting images of dan until at length they crossed the waves, and landed
debutant should be thus surrounded by fair roses. ger, privation and disappointment, that day and on the shores of foggy England, where also he
Quite in the furthest corner of the hall sat a wo night disquieted her. "Go, and may all the saints excited the utmost astonishment and admiration.
man, whose wonderfully beautiful eyes followed protect you, and lead you to the one true peace," In the year 1825, we find that the representation
every movement of the slight childish figure, while said the softest voice in the world, and the ardently of a little opera was to take place in Paris, "Don
upon her delicate countenance the touching pale loved child entered upon the thorny path of art, Sancho; ou, le Chateau de l'Am?ur." The theatre
ness caused by deep emotion became still more that conducts humanity to those heights where it of the Academie Royale was filled to overflowing;
visible. The heart of the lovely woman was so full must ever remain lonely and alone. every ticket was taken with the greatest eagerness,
of disquietude, that her chest rose and sank con Without a murmur, the pious woman repressed and the success was perfect. The name of the com
vulsively, and her small hands were tightly clasped the cherished desire of her heart, which was to see poser was shouted in triumph ? Franz Liszt.
together. She was plainly dressed in black, and a her son choose a different road, the only one, as she Handkerchiefs waved, white hands beckoned, and
black lace vail covered a profusion of golden hair. in simple faith believed, that led directly to heaven, " Don Sancho" led the boy, scarcely fifteen years
Her mouth betrayed an expression of sadness, and namely, as a consecrated priest. old, before the audience. But the enchanted castle
yet she tried to smile, as now in the midst of a sud Henceforth, she was only the mother of the artist. also possessed a dangerous doorkeeper, Mademoi
den silence, the first tones of the piano were heard. The blessed mothers of all our celebrated men may selle Rose, the charming songstress. She it was
The little Franz played a concerto of Hummel's be divided into two large groups. The one gathers who received the young conqueror behind the
with great strength and expression. The crowded itself around the pathetic and glorified form of I scenes. In an instant his head was seized between

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 THE ALDI NE. ???
ing man,
her small hands ; a rosy, smiling face looked intodressed
his, in black. It seized him with wandered on the shores of the lakes of Geneva and
and two sweet lips touched the mouth irresistible
that untilpower. An overwhelming excitement Lucerne, and in the Bernese Oberland. Without plan
that hour only a mother had kissed. tookWas it per
possession of him; the clouds of melancholy or purpose, a little party of talented persons, thus
parted, dispelled
haps the remembrance of that intoxicating reward as by the sunshine, while the con thrown together, without the restraining influences
viction
which after the first performance of " Don dawned "upon him that genius had also its
Sancho of care, that elsewhere would have fettered their
duties.
made all other applause seem to him poor and Hecold
felt that
? he owed something to the wings. > Beautiful and distinguished women, and
Was it owing to the exchange of severalworldgrave
of the gifts
and that had been lent to him by a intellectual men, listened together to the wonder
higher
serious letters with his mother ? or, finally, power
was ? he owed it to himself to hasten
it the ful organ in the Freiburg Cathedral, as played by
further and by
weariness and disgust, sometimes experienced further toward the shining heights Liszt. It was a life full of beauty and brilliancy,
where he might gather the strength necessary for
minds so highly strung, caused by the consciousness, breathing the most balmy air, under skies that were
the completion
that poisoned all joy, of the fruitlessness of human of his art. With these thoughts and always as blue over their hearts as over their heads,
resolutions,
endeavor and the perishability of earthly Liszt returned from Paganini's concert.
fame? a wandering among palms, the recollection of which
Sunk in the gloomiest meditations, he How deep andhim
buried powerful was the impression made left only a happy memory.
upon
self in religious books: the fathers of the his mindthe
desert, by that eminent artist, was shown in The first rays streaming from the newly arisen sun
lives of the martyrs, and the writings of a memorial of Paganini, published after his death.
the sainted of Thalberg's fame shone upon the little company,
Augustin, formed his favorite studies. He gave a delicate,
In his let yet glowing description of that and brought the entrancing dolce far niente of that
ters to the distant and truest friend of hisofsoul,
rarest he personages, and declared him to
all artistic " midsummer night's dream " to an end. As.Rinaldo
laid .open all his scruples, doubts, andbedreams, an unrivaledandking of art. springing from the arms of Armida, so the dreamer
she thanked the Saviour for the evidences ofa very
But now such different circle received the young aroused himself from his dream. ? ^
an early reformation. She already sawartist herinto its midst, upon his return to the world.
beloved The mind so full of genius longed to measure itself
son safe ? withdrawn from the fierce Thecontests of
scene had changed, and instead of aristocratic against the antagonist who had so suddenly appeared.
the world, and at peace within the secluded shades
salons, there appeared suddenly a plain, unpretend And soon, instead of the murmuring waters of the
of a cloister. ing apartment. Franz Liszt sat by the fireside of blue lakes, the surging waves of the great metropolis
Wholly different, however, was the impression the fascinating Madame Dudevant (George Sand), once more broke upon his ear. Paris received the
produced upon the father by this sudden deter admiring her conversation, as well as the tiny feet wanderer with joy, and held him fast, as it knows so
mination of his son. He had felt deep anxiety in encased in the smallest of Turkish slippers. At the well how to hold those to whom it unvails its beauty;
reference to the great future of the artist, in which, same time, Alfred de Musset reclined upon a divan, it retained him also, until the contest between the
however, he believed as firmly as in heaven itself. and gazed dreamily into the glow of the fire, or into rivals was ended, and Liszt's victory was decided.
Upon the advice of a medical friend, he took his son the light of those eyes that were to him far more The opinion of the women of the elegant and pol
into Switzerland and afterward to Boulogne, for the dangerous than all the fire in the world. Perhaps, ished Thalberg, the masterly virtuoso, was expressed
purpose of sea-bathing; but the joy of seeing the too, Jules Sandeau, Alfred de Vigny, and the won by a clever woman, who at that time remarked,
color return once more to his son's cheeks, and of derfully talented artist, Delacroix, chatted together " Thalberg is the first, but Liszt is the only one."
knowing that he had regained all of his former live in the window-seat, or Victor Hugo looked in at the It is curious to notice in the course of Liszt's life,
liness, was to be his last happiness upon earth, for, door with a merry greeting. A piano stood in one that always from time to time, moments of the deep
on the first day of August, Adam Liszt bade farewell corner of the room, and sometimes Franz^Liszt would est seclusion would cast a vail over him, concealing
to all that had constituted the pride and delight of suddenly spring up in the midst of a sentence, to fin him entirely from public view, and that weeks and
his life, and left his child alone in the early dawn of ish it in music. Then silence would gradually steal months of unbroken loneliness were intermingled
his youthful fame. On the announcement of this over the little party, as they listened to those tones with intoxicating triumphs and a brilliant life in the
terrible news, the loving mother, whose heart was that exercised an equal charm over their different great world. He delighted sometimes to disappear
filled with the deepest sorrow, hastened to Paris, in temperaments, through the mighty power of true from the theatre of his fame, without leaving a trace,
order to comfort the forsaken one. genius. Then George Sand would rise, she, whose allowing his friends to exhaust themselves in fruit
She soon became aware of the return of her son " Indiana" had thrown a firebrand into so many less conjectures as to where he might be. Thus,
to his art, but no word or sign betrayed that she hearts, and softly approach the piano, upon which after a long sunny sojourn in Venice, Florence,
grieved over it. She found her pleasure in remain she leaned with folded arms. Only a Venetian lamp Rome, and Naples, Franz Liszt returned to the
ing near him, to make a home for him. She rejoiced was burning, and in the reflection of its soft light, cool shadows of the parks of the Villa Maximiliana
with him when he laughed, soothed him when weary, and the glimmer of the fire, the two heads appeared at Lucca. Pines rustled above the pale, thoughtful
encouraged him when doubtful and harassed, and in striking contrast. brow; orange blossoms dropped upon the folded
watched at a distance his triumphs in the world, with Aurora, with her graceful, voluptuous figure, and hands; while from among the laurel bushes, near the
the resigned expression of a saint. clearly cut profile, a profusion of black hair gathered rhododendrons, perhaps the charming, face of a
It was in those days that the apparition of a woman into a knot at the back of her head, and dressed in a woman peeped forth, in whose laughing eyes one
crossed the path of the young artist. A small head loose, flowing, black robe, confined at the waist by could distinctly read, " Vive la joie !"
appeared half-enveloped in a flowing gold-embroi a scarlet shawl, in the folds of which a small dagger Ah ! where was the mother ? Although far from
dered vail, as in a cloud, and as if painted upon a might be seen?and her eyes, so dark and lustrous, her dearly loved son, yet was she ever near to him
gold background by the brush of Tintoretto, and so full of intellect and of passion, shaded by long in her unceasing prayers and wishes for. his soul,
around this picture was woven a wreath of red roses lashes. She reminded one at once of a Spaniard and the remembrance of her had accompanied him
and passion-flowers. It was a passionate young love, and a Hindoo ? the full red lips, and the small white through all his wanderings. How often would he
and the renouncement of it caused bitter despair. hands that were now raised to push back the hair clasp his hands together in earnest longing for the
Only the mother's eyes saw both, and only the falling over her forehead. A peculiar light shone in comfort of her love and presence, for when was
mother ventured to console him. This love and suf her countenance, and she seemed like some rare ever the time that a human heart has felt itself strong
fering was so great, that Franz Liszt entirely disap tropical plant placed beside a spring violet. enough to do without human sympathy and a mother's
peared from the brilliant society in which he had The expression of Franz Liszt's face was at that love. This deep tenderness for his mother flowed as
been such a favorite, and his foot no longer trod time so tender and spirituelle, his smile so dreamy, a stream throughout Liszt's whole life, and formed
the polished floors, upon which hitherto he had and the melancholy charm of his manner so great, an indestructible band, that wove itself closely around
stepped with such assurance, and owing to this, he that according to the opinion of his contemporaries, this mother and son. She took the liveliest share in
was also sincerely missed in the smaller circle of his no woman could fail to be interested in him. Aurora all his works and efforts; when weary and depressed,
friends. One heard him and saw him no more. In looked with admiration upon his brow and the deli he sought her sympathy in his letters, as he had
his mother's quiet room, he sat upon a low footstool, cate aristocratic mouth, and with the same emotion, done at the time of his first sorrow, and again, as
and rested his head upon her knee. Her hand lay perhaps, with which, many years later, she gazed at that time, he felt her hand laid tenderly upon his
caressingly upon his rich golden hair, that hair that upon the passionate dreamer, fchopin, as he played head, and heard her sweet voice comfoftinjg and
had been so much admired by the French women. his melancholy waltzes. encouraging him. Was it not owing to this constant
And now, in this crisis of his life, the mother prayed A comparison has often been drawn between remembrance of her, and also to the fervent prayer
more earnestly than ever for her son's peace of George Sand and Franz Liszt. There is, indeed, of her pious soul, that at length, after a brilliant
mind; and yet she it was at this time who unceas much resemblance in the scintillating beauty and career, after years of unwearying efforts of struggles
ingly reminded him of the solace to be found in his brilliant coloring of their works. Their minds were for himself and others, after his directorship of the
art; she herself led him to the forsaken piano, and capable of equally bold flights, and they felt them chapel at Weimar, and his residence at the court of
placed his resistless hands upon the keys; the selves irresistibly attracted toward each other. What the Prince of Hohen-Zollern-Hechingan of L?weri
melody that the youth improvised sounded wild a poetic charm must have been thrown around the berg in Silesia, he reached out his hand to take the
and disconnected, and for hours his fingers would journey that Liszt took at a later period into Switz priestly garment ? The world saw not the beginning
wander among the notes, and only the mother erland with George Sand and the amiable novelist nor end of the thread that had so woven itself into
listened to him. Pictet ! The former described their adventures in this wonderful artist's life.
Suddenly the mother and son were aroused from the " Letters of a Traveler;" and Pictet's " Journey Forty years have elapsed "between the concert de
this silent and melancholy life by the news of the to Chamouni" is in reality only an apotheosis of the scribed in the beginning of these pages, as having
arrival of a phenomenon, such as appears upon the young artist. Liszt himself has told of those pre taken place in the town hall at Vienna, and the
earth only once in a century. Paganini had come to cious hours in his " Pilgerjahren," those musical present day. Again it is a concert given by Franz
Paris, and was to give his first concert. From that leaves from the "Chapelle de Guillaume Tell," "Au Liszt, and again we see him seated at a piano, but
hour Paris had no other interest, one heard only of bord d'une Source," and he allows the farewell to instead of a crowded audience, he has only a single
the marvelous violin king, out of whose "Amati" ring out in " Les Cloches de Geneve." listener, a gray-haired old rriari, Pio Nono, the Pope
came the restless wail of a lost spirit. The young virtuoso finding himself among novel of Rome. In an apartment of the Vatican, the
And on that evening, among the many hundred ists, also began to compose, and wrote in the most Abbe Liszt played before the Pope, and the melan
who filled the concert room, Franz Liszt sat in the elegant French, the charming reflections upon "An choly eyes of the old man were lighted by an
furthest corner of a loge, and listened as if spell Artist's Life," which was read with great admiration expression of pleasure, as the grave man in a
bound to the song of the demon who appeared in Paris. Perhaps this was the happiest and most priest's dress drew forth charming melodies from
before him in the form of a peculiar, sinister-look peaceful period in the life of this great artist. They the instrument. And yet once more we see them

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t

*** THE ALDI NE.

thousandfold,
both, and behind them a host of high dignitaries of was dancing about the Allee. Every flames. Growing tired of our elevated position, we
the church, among whom is the clever countenance
child in D?sseldorf that could stand on its legs, was descended to the pavement, and again mingled with
of Cardinal Antonelli; the splendid processionout with its lantern, and as far as the eye could reach
turns, the throng. A little motherly girl came trudging
and finally terminates at Rome's Cathedral, werefrom
seen those glancing lights. In the Hofgarten, close behind us with a baby brother in her arms. In
whose balcony the Pope is accustomed to give down his
the narrow side streets, over the bridges, the his chubby hands he held a tiny lantern, which he
blessing to the assembled multitude. children trudged, swinging their lanterns high above persisted in keeping just under my back hair. In vain
Only once in my life has it been my privilege to and all singing with the utmost gayety
their heads, I hastened on, or cut across the street. Close behind
see and to hear Franz Liszt. It was long agoandin abandon
the : us came the pair, evidently determined, like some in
year 1842, in the Gewandhaus, in the well-known con " Let us frolic and be gay! fantile fietroleux, on setting fire to something, no mat
cert hall at Leipsic. He played a sonata of Beetho Children's hearts should sing to-day, ter what. Gazing earnestly at the merry holiday
ven's, his galop chromatique, and his arrangement Carol loudly, tra-la-la! makers stood a sad-looking mother, quite pale and
'Tis St. Martin's Eve ? hurrah !
of Schubert's "Erl-King;" at length he ended with still, with a sick child in her arms. In a pathetic
Bring the lanterns ? as we shout,
"Alle Baude frommer Scheu," which produced almost Little tapers all flash out! attempt to give it pleasure, she held a poor little
?s much excitement among the usually grave and Nimbly here and there we spring, lantern over the infant's head, while she tenderly
self-contained Leipsicers, as it would have done in Under our dancing lights, and sing, pressed the child to her bosom. In marked contrast
an Italian audience. The enthusiastic youths stood Merrily, merrily, tra-la-la! to this group was a funny little trudge, not three
St. Martin's Eve is come ? hurrah ! "
upon chairs, almost breathless, with glowing cheeks, years old, who was making his way quite alone
beating hearts and beaming eyes; no movement, no
The children were generally accompanied by older through the press. High above his head he held a
" tone was lost to us. But no look of his eyes people,
restedbut jsome seemed quite alone. This being lantern, and sang his song out loud and clear. His
upon us ? he was too much occupied with their someown I particular feast, they are allowed full lib sturdy little legs soon carried him along out of our
elderly ladies, who, more courage-_ "_ sight.
ous than the others, had climbed We now passed on to the Markt
up on the orchestra, and were I Platz, where stands in portly dig
tearing the leaves from the laurel | nity the bronze statue of Johann
wreath that had been wound Wilhelm. Here the lights were
' around the music-stand. I believe less brilliant, and the crowd not so
they even divided one of his gay; so we went on through a nar
gloves; that lay forgotten upon the | row, roughly paved street, past the
piano, among themselves. This
" division of the earth" was not U ruined walls of the old academy,
! and out upon the ancient Schiff's
peaceful, and many came too late, Br?cke on the Rhine. We stood
not only " the poet." for awhile on the quaint old bridge
When, later, I read Liszt's beau of boats, once the scene of busy
tiful memorial of Chopin, and the , traffic, now a nestling-place for
tears fell upon many pages, I could apple-women and petty hucksters
hear once more the quickly played of all kinds. For a few moments
octaves of the accompaniment of we stood in the shadow of a huge
the "Erl-King," and the stormy pile of buildings and looked back
rustling of the melody, and could to the brilliantly lighted town.
. see the slight, pale man, as with an The tall, pointed roofs rose daz
- inimitable grace he would push the zlingly white against the stormy
hair back from his forehead. sky. Now and then the moon
And thus, frequently, I picture shone out from the drifting clouds,
: him to myself, not Franz Liszt, the lighting up a distant church spire,
grave priest, but Franz Liszt, the while below, at our feet, Father
' incomparable artist.?Elise Polko. Rhine flowed dark and still.
Returning homeward, we found
ST. MARTIN'S DAY. the streets still filled with the hur
rying children, who had never for
a children's festival. an instant ceased their merry carol. *
We saw pretty groups of boys and
St. Martin's Day is the chil girls in doorways and in arched
dren's holiday in D?sseldorf, being courtyards, lighting their candles,
the " name's day " of their patron or arranging them in the lanterns.
; saint, the good Bishop of Tours, On our own door-steps was a pretty
the children's friend, as he was large crowd of them. They all had
called. lanterns, and were singing this
On St. Martin's Eve they hang song:
up their shoes for presents, as at " Here dwells a wealthy man, we know;
Christmas, and on the night of the What children covet he'll bestow,
festival there is a grand illumina Earth's sweets be his while living,
tion and a torchlight procession. A peaceful death be given,
The children flock into the streets And he at last inherit
The endless joys of heaven ! "
by thousands, each one of them
carrying a torch or lantern, and This is their begging song. They
. singing merry songs in honor of sing it only when they hope to get
" Gems of the changing autumn, how beautiful ye are!
St. Martin. apples,
Shinine from vour elossv stems like manv a frolden nuts, and pfennigs. On St.
star."
During my few months'residence Martin's Day, Government, usually
at D?sseldorf, my friends, a charming English family, erty, and the little folks were in no danger, for so strict, relaxes its severity, and the children exer
who had long made it their home, often described though the streets were thronged with thousands of cise their privileges without stint. We sent them off
this festival as the most picturesque, the most truly people of all grades in society, there was no disturb happy, and they went and told all the rest, for we
German of all the calendar, a treat to be enjoyed ance, no rowdyism. were immediately besieged by crowds. We pre
nowhere else, D?sseldorf alone celebrating the good Leaving the Allee, we passed on to the Balker tended to be deaf, closed all the shutters, but in vain.
saint's anniversary in this fashion. Strasse, the business street of D?sseldorf. Here the It seemed only to stimulate their ardor, and they
St. Martin's Day dawned dark and rainy, and we throng was greater, if possible, than in the Allee, sang louder and louder till their voices rose to a per
feared that the festival would on this account prove and gayer, not being so genteel. We took a com fect shriek. Then for a time there was a despairing
a dismal failure, but toward night the clouds lifted, manding position on a high doorstep, and watched silence. But soon we heard the chatter of merry
and by five o'clock the streets began to fill with chil the crowd surge past. voices in earnest conversation with some one. We
dren. The crowd did not move in one continuous stream, peeped through the door and saw the goodman him
With my gentle but resolute friend, Mrs.-, I but in several currents which swept to and fro, with self, who had ventured out for a stroll, besieged on
slipped quietly out, leaving the goodman of the out appearing, however, in any way to check each his own door-stone. He was fairly cornered, and
house peacefully slumbering by the fire, and pro other's course. The lanterns, as I said, were of all had been dealing out nuts and pfennigs with a liberal
foundly unconscious of our escapade. All the way sizes, shapes and colors, and the poles of different hand, till now he was bankrupt, and was mildly but
we met children in groups, singing and flourishing lengths, some reaching to the second story windows, firmly directing the little rascals to go away and
gayly colored lanterns, suspended from long, slender and as they were dashed about hither and thither, it leave him, which they steadily refused to do. Go
poles. We went on to the broad Allee, a fine avenue produced a wildness and picturesqueness of effect away, indeed, from such a harvest! not if they knew
lined with stately trees. What a spectacle burst wonderful to witness. All at once a dismal shriek it!
upon us ! The Allee was one sea of brilliant, tossing arose from the centre of the throng. Some child, By ten o'clock the festivities in the streets are
light. Thousands of lanterns were flying here and doubtless, knocked down and trampled on ! We peer over. Even the children consent to return home,
there, of all shapes, sizes, and colors, some like stars anxiously into the crowd, and soon a hapless little where a grand feast awaits them of cakes, nuts, and
or crowns, some with comical devices, and all gayly wight is gently drawn out of the press and led off, apples. This closes the children's carnival. Another !
decorated with stripes, green, purple, yellow, or blue. bewailing the untimely fate of his beloved lantern, twelvemonth must elapse before Young Germany is ;
In short, every color of the rainbow, multiplied a whose glory had departed, a prey to the devouring on its high heels again. ? C. IV. Conant.

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