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diff --git a/4386-h/4386-h.htm b/4386-h/4386-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..cf4c22a --- /dev/null +++ b/4386-h/4386-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,5406 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="us-ascii"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + Life of Chopin, by Franz Liszt + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Life of Chopin, by Franz Liszt + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Life of Chopin + +Author: Franz Liszt + +Translator: Martha Walker Cook + +Release Date: January 7, 2010 [EBook #4386] +Last Updated: February 4, 2013 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIFE OF CHOPIN *** + + + + +Produced by John Mamoun, David Widger and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + LIFE OF CHOPIN + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + by Franz Liszt + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + Translated from the French by Martha Walker Cook + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto"> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_PREF"> PREFACE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII. </a> + </p> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <div class="mynote"> + INFORMATION ABOUT THIS E-TEXT EDITION + <p> + The following is an e-text of "Life of Chopin," written by Franz Liszt + and translated from the french by Martha Walker Cook. The original + edition was published in 1863; a fourth, revised edition (1880) was used + in making this e-text. This e-text reproduces the fourth edition + essentially unabridged, with original spellings intact, numerous + typographical errors corrected, and words italicized in the original + text capitalized in this e-text. In making this e-text, each page was + cut out of the original book with an x-acto knife to feed the pages into + an Automatic Document Feeder scanner for scanning. Hence, the book was + disbinded in order to save it. Thanks to Charles Franks and the Online + Distributed Proofreading team for help in proofreading this e-text. + </p> + <br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> DEDICATION OF THE TRANSLATION TO JAN PYCHOWSKI + </p> + <p> + Without your consent or knowledge, I have ventured to dedicate this + translation to you! + </p> + <p> + As the countryman of Chopin, and filled with the same earnest patriotism + which distinguished him; as an impassioned and perfect Pianist, capable, + of reproducing his difficult compositions in all the subtle tenderness, + fire, energy, melancholy, despair, caprice, hope, delicacy and startling + vigor which they imperiously exact; as thorough master of the complicated + instrument to which he devoted his best powers; as an erudite and + experienced possessor of that abstruse and difficult science, music; as a + composer of true, deep, and highly original genius,—this dedication + is justly made to you! + </p> + <p> + Even though I may have wounded your characteristically haughty, shrinking, + and Sclavic susceptibilities in rendering so public a tribute to your + artistic skill, forgive me! The high moral worth and manly rectitude which + distinguish you, and which alone render even the most sublime genius truly + illustrious in the eyes of woman, almost force these inadequate and + imperfect words from the heart of the translator. + </p> + <p> + M.W.C. <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_PREF" id="link2H_PREF"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + PREFACE + </h2> + <p> + To a people, always prompt in its recognition of genius, and ready to + sympathize in the joys and woes of a truly great artist, this work will be + one of exceeding interest. It is a short, glowing, and generous sketch, + from the hand of Franz Liszt, (who, considered in the double light of + composer and performer, has no living equal,) of the original and romantic + Chopin; the most ethereal, subtle, and delicate among our modern + tone-poets. It is a rare thing for a great artist to write on art, to + leave the passionate worlds of sounds or colors for the colder realm of + words; rarer still for him to abdicate, even temporarily, his own throne, + to stand patiently and hold aloft the blazing torch of his own genius, to + illume the gloomy grave of another: yet this has Liszt done through love + for Chopin. + </p> + <p> + It is a matter of considerable interest to note how the nervous and agile + fingers, accustomed to sovereign rule over the keys, handle the pen; how + the musician feels as a man; how he estimates art and artists. Liszt is a + man of extensive culture, vivid imagination, and great knowledge of the + world; and, in addition to their high artistic value, his lines glow with + poetic fervor, with impassioned eloquence. His musical criticisms are + refined and acute, but without repulsive technicalities or scientific + terms, ever sparkling with the poetic ardor of the generous soul through + which the discriminating, yet appreciative awards were poured. Ah! in + these days of degenerate rivalries and bitter jealousies, let us welcome a + proof of affection so tender as his "Life of Chopin"! + </p> + <p> + It would be impossible for the reader of this book to remain ignorant of + the exactions of art. While, through its eloquence and subtle analysis of + character, it appeals to the cultivated literary tastes of our people, it + opens for them a dazzling perspective into that strange world of tones, of + whose magical realm they know, comparatively speaking, so little. It is + intelligible to all who think or feel; requiring no knowledge of music for + its comprehension. + </p> + <p> + The compositions of Chopin are now the mode, the rage. Every one asks for + them, every one tries to play them. We have, however, but few remarks upon + the peculiarities of his style, or the proper manner of producing his + works. His compositions, generally perfect in form, are never abstract + conceptions, but had their birth in his soul, sprang from the events of + his life, and are full of individual and national idiosyncrasies, of + psychological interest. Liszt knew Chopin both as man and artist; Chopin + loved to hear him interpret his music, and himself taught the great + Pianist the mysteries of his undulating rhythm and original motifs. The + broad and noble criticisms contained in this book are absolutely essential + for the musical culture of the thousands now laboriously but vainly + struggling to perform his elaborate works, and who, having no key to their + multiplied complexities of expression, frequently fail in rendering them + aright. + </p> + <p> + And the masses in this country, full of vivid perception and intelligent + curiosity, who, not playing themselves, would yet fain follow with the + heart compositions which they are told are of so much artistic value, will + here find a key to guide them through the tuneful labyrinth. Some of + Chopin's best works are analyzed herein. He wrote for the HEART OF HIS + PEOPLE; their joys, sorrows, and caprices are immortalized by the power of + his art. He was a strictly national tone-poet, and to understand him + fully, something must be known of the brave and haughty, but unhappy + country which he so loved. Liszt felt this, and has been exceedingly happy + in the short sketch given of Poland. We actually know more of its + picturesque and characteristic customs after a perusal of his graphic + pages, than after a long course of dry historical details. His remarks on + the Polonaise and Mazourka are full of the philosophy and essence of + history. These dances grew directly from the heart of the Polish people; + repeating the martial valor and haughty love of noble exhibition of their + men; the tenderness, devotion, and subtle coquetry of their women—they + were of course favorite forms with Chopin; their national character made + them dear to the national poet. The remarks of Liszt on these dances are + given with a knowledge so acute of the traits of the nation in which they + originated, with such a gorgeousness of description and correctness of + detail, that they rather resemble a highly finished picture, than a colder + work of words only. They have all the splendor of a brilliant painting. He + seizes the secrets of the nationality of these forms, traces them through + the heart of the Polish people, follows them through their marvelous + transfiguration in the pages of the Polish artist, and reads by their + light much of the sensitive and exclusive character of Chopin, analyzing + it with the skill of love, while depicting it with romantic eloquence. + </p> + <p> + To those who can produce the compositions of Chopin in the spirit of their + author, no words are necessary. They follow with the heart the poetic and + palpitating emotions so exquisitely wrought through the aerial tissue of + the tones by this "subtle-souled Psychologist," this bold and original + explorer in the invisible world of sound;—all honor to their genius: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Oh, happy! and of many millions, they + The purest chosen, whom Art's service pure + Hallows and claims—whose hearts are made her throne, + Whose lips her oracle, ordained secure, + To lead a priestly life, and feed the ray + Of her eternal shrine, to them alone + Her glorious countenance unveiled is shown: + Ye, the high brotherhood she links, rejoice + In the great rank allotted by her choice! + The loftiest rank the spiritual world sublime, + Rich with its starry thrones, gives to the sons of Time!" + + Schiller. +</pre> + <p> + Short but glowing sketches of Heine, Meyerbeer, Adolphe Nourrit, Hiller, + Eugene Delacroix, Niemcevicz, Mickiewicz, and Madame Sand, occur in the + book. The description of the last days of poor Chopin's melancholy life, + with the untiring devotion of those around him, including the beautiful + countess, Delphine Potocka; his cherished sister, Louise; his devoted + friend and pupil, M. Gutman, with the great Liszt himself, is full of + tragic interest. + </p> + <p> + No pains have been spared by the translator to make the translation + acceptable, for the task was truly a labor of love. No motives of interest + induced the lingering over the careful rendering of the charmed pages, but + an intense desire that our people should know more of musical art; that + while acknowledging the generosity and eloquence of Liszt, they should + learn to appreciate and love the more subtle fire, the more creative + genius of the unfortunate, but honorable and honored artist, Chopin. + </p> + <p> + Perchance Liszt may yet visit us; we may yet hear the matchless Pianist + call from their graves in the white keys, the delicate arabesques, the + undulating and varied melodies, of Chopin. We should be prepared to + appreciate the great Artist in his enthusiastic rendering of the + master-pieces of the man he loved; prepared to greet him when he + electrifies us with his wonderful Cyclopean harmonies, written for his own + Herculean grasp, sparkling with his own Promethean fire, which no meaner + hand can ever hope to master! "Hear Liszt and die," has been said by some + of his enthusiastic admirers—understand him and live, were the wiser + advice! + </p> + <p> + In gratitude then to Chopin for the multiplied sources of high and pure + pleasure which he has revealed to humanity in his creations, that human + woe and sorrow become pure beauty when his magic spell is on them, the + translator calls upon all lovers of the beautiful "to contribute a stone + to the pyramid now rapidly erecting in honor of the great modern composer"—ay, + the living stone of appreciation, crystalized in the enlightened gratitude + of the heart. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "So works this music upon earth + God so admits it, sends it forth. + To add another worth to worth— + + A new creation-bloom that rounds + The old creation, and expounds + His Beautiful in tuneful sounds." +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Chopin—Style and Improvements—The Adagio of the Second + Concerto—Funeral March—Psychological Character of the + Compositions of Chopin, &c., &c.</i> + </p> + <p> + Deeply regretted as he may be by the whole body of artists, lamented by + all who have ever known him, we must still be permitted to doubt if the + time has even yet arrived in which he, whose loss is so peculiarly + deplored by ourselves, can be appreciated in accordance with his just + value, or occupy that high rank which in all probability will be assigned + him in the future. + </p> + <p> + If it has been often proved that "no one is a prophet in his own country;" + is it not equally true that the prophets, the men of the future, who feel + its life in advance, and prefigure it in their works, are never recognized + as prophets in their own times? It would be presumptuous to assert that it + can ever be otherwise. In vain may the young generations of artists + protest against the "Anti-progressives," whose invariable custom it is to + assault and beat down the living with the dead: time alone can test the + real value, or reveal the hidden beauties, either of musical compositions, + or of kindred efforts in the sister arts. + </p> + <p> + As the manifold forms of art are but different incantations, charged with + electricity from the soul of the artist, and destined to evoke the latent + emotions and passions in order to render them sensible, intelligible, and, + in some degree, tangible; so genius may be manifested in the invention of + new forms, adapted, it may be, to the expression of feelings which have + not yet surged within the limits of common experience, and are indeed + first evoked within the magic circle by the creative power of artistic + intuition. In arts in which sensation is linked to emotion, without the + intermediate assistance of thought and reflection, the mere introduction + of unaccustomed forms, of unused modes, must present an obstacle to the + immediate comprehension of any very original composition. The surprise, + nay, the fatigue, caused by the novelty of the singular impressions which + it awakens, will make it appear to many as if written in a language of + which they were ignorant, and which that reason will in itself be + sufficient to induce them to pronounce a barbarous dialect. The trouble of + accustoming the ear to it will repel many who will, in consequence, refuse + to make a study of it. Through the more vivid and youthful organizations, + less enthralled by the chains of habit; through the more ardent spirits, + won first by curiosity, then filled with passion for the new idiom, must + it penetrate and win the resisting and opposing public, which will finally + catch the meaning, the aim, the construction, and at last render justice + to its qualities, and acknowledge whatever beauty it may contain. + Musicians who do not restrict themselves within the limits of conventional + routine, have, consequently, more need than other artists of the aid of + time. They cannot hope that death will bring that instantaneous plus-value + to their works which it gives to those of the painters. No musician could + renew, to the profit of his manuscripts, the deception practiced by one of + the great Flemish painters, who, wishing in his lifetime to benefit by his + future glory, directed his wife to spread abroad the news of his death, in + order that the pictures with which he had taken care to cover the walls of + his studio, might suddenly increase in value! + </p> + <p> + Whatever may be the present popularity of any part of the productions of + one, broken, by suffering long before taken by death, it is nevertheless + to be presumed that posterity will award to his works an estimation of a + far higher character, of a much more earnest nature, than has hitherto + been awarded them. A high rank must be assigned by the future historians + of music to one who distinguished himself in art by a genius for melody so + rare, by such graceful and remarkable enlargements of the harmonic tissue; + and his triumph will be justly preferred to many of far more extended + surface, though the works of such victors may be played and replayed by + the greatest number of instruments, and be sung and resung by passing + crowds of Prime Donne. + </p> + <p> + In confining himself exclusively to the Piano, Chopin has, in our opinion, + given proof of one of the most essential qualities of a composer—a + just appreciation of the form in which he possessed the power to excel; + yet this very fact, to which we attach so much importance, has been + injurious to the extent of his fame. It would have been most difficult for + any other writer, gifted with such high harmonic and melodic powers, to + have resisted the temptation of the SINGING of the bow, the liquid + sweetness of the flute, or the deafening swells of the trumpet, which we + still persist in believing the only fore-runner of the antique goddess + from whom we woo the sudden favors. What strong conviction, based upon + reflection, must have been requisite to have induced him to restrict + himself to a circle apparently so much more barren; what warmth of + creative genius must have been necessary to have forced from its apparent + aridity a fresh growth of luxuriant bloom, unhoped for in such a soil! + What intuitive penetration is repealed by this exclusive choice, which, + wresting the different effects of the various instruments from their + habitual domain, where the whole foam of sound would have broken at their + feet, transported them into a sphere, more limited, indeed, but far more + idealized! What confident perception of the future powers of his + instrument must have presided over his voluntary renunciation of an + empiricism, so widely spread, that another would have thought it a + mistake, a folly, to have wrested such great thoughts from their ordinary + interpreters! How sincerely should we revere him for this devotion to the + Beautiful for its own sake, which induced him not to yield to the general + propensity to scatter each light spray of melody over a hundred orchestral + desks, and enabled him to augment the resources of art, in teaching how + they may be concentrated in a more limited space, elaborated at less + expense of means, and condensed in time! + </p> + <p> + Far from being ambitious of the uproar of an orchestra, Chopin was + satisfied to see his thought integrally produced upon the ivory of the + key-board; succeeding in his aim of losing nothing in power, without + pretending to orchestral effects, or to the brush of the scene-painter. + Oh! we have not yet studied with sufficient earnestness and attention the + designs of his delicate pencil, habituated as we are, in these days, to + consider only those composers worthy of a great name, who have written at + least half-a-dozen Operas, as many Oratorios, and various Symphonies: + vainly requiring every musician to do every thing, nay, a little more than + every thing. However widely diffused this idea may be, its justice is, to + say the least, highly problematical. We are far from contesting the glory + more difficult of attainment, or the real superiority of the Epic poets, + who display their splendid creations upon so large a plan; but we desire + that material proportion in music should be estimated by the same measure + which is applied to dimension in other branches of the fine arts; as, for + example, in painting, where a canvas of twenty inches square, as the + Vision of Ezekiel, or Le Cimetiere by Ruysdael, is placed among the chefs + d'oeuvre, and is more highly valued than pictures of a far larger size, + even though they might be from the hands of a Rubens or a Tintoret. In + literature, is Beranger less a great poet, because he has condensed his + thoughts within the narrow limits of his songs? Does not Petrarch owe his + fame to his Sonnets? and among those who most frequently repeat their + soothing rhymes, how many know any thing of the existence of his long poem + on Africa? We cannot doubt that the prejudice which would deny the + superiority of an artist—though he should have produced nothing but + such Sonatas as Franz Schubert has given us—over one who has + portioned out the insipid melodies of many Operas, which it were useless + to cite, will disappear; and that in music, also, we will yet take into + account the eloquence and ability with which the thoughts and feelings are + expressed, whatever may be the size of the composition in which they are + developed, or the means employed to interpret them. + </p> + <p> + In making an analysis of the works of Chopin, we meet with beauties of a + high order, expressions entirely new, and a harmonic tissue as original as + erudite. In his compositions, boldness is always justified; richness, even + exuberance, never interferes with clearness; singularity never degenerates + into uncouth fantasticalness; the sculpturing is never disorderly; the + luxury of ornament never overloads the chaste eloquence of the principal + lines. His best works abound in combinations which may be said to form an + epoch in the handling of musical style. Daring, brilliant and attractive, + they disguise their profundity under so much grace, their science under so + many charms, that it is with difficulty we free ourselves sufficiently + from their magical enthrallment, to judge coldly of their theoretical + value. Their worth has, however, already been felt; but it will be more + highly estimated when the time arrives for a critical examination of the + services rendered by them to art during that period of its course + traversed by Chopin. + </p> + <p> + It is to him we owe the extension of chords, struck together in arpeggio, + or en batterie; the chromatic sinuosities of which his pages offer such + striking examples; the little groups of superadded notes, falling like + light drops of pearly dew upon the melodic figure. This species of + adornment had hitherto been modeled only upon the Fioritures of the great + Old School of Italian song; the embellishments for the voice had been + servilely copied by the Piano, although become stereotyped and monotonous: + he imparted to them the charm of novelty, surprise and variety, unsuited + for the vocalist, but in perfect keeping with the character of the + instrument. He invented the admirable harmonic progressions which have + given a serious character to pages, which, in consequence of the lightness + of their subject, made no pretension to any importance. But of what + consequence is the subject? Is it not the idea which is developed through + it, the emotion with which it vibrates, which expands, elevates and + ennobles it? What tender melancholy, what subtlety, what sagacity in the + master-pieces of La Fontaine, although the subjects are so familiar, the + titles so modest? Equally unassuming are the titles and subjects of the + Studies and Preludes; yet the compositions of Chopin, so modestly named, + are not the less types of perfection in a mode created by himself, and + stamped, like all his other works, with the high impress of his poetic + genius. Written in the commencement of his career, they are characterized + by a youthful vigor not to be found in some of his subsequent works, even + when more elaborate, finished, and richer in combinations; a vigor, which + is entirely lost in his latest productions, marked by an over-excited + sensibility, a morbid irritability, and giving painful intimations of his + own state of suffering and exhaustion. + </p> + <p> + If it were our intention to discuss the development of Piano music in the + language of the Schools, we would dissect his magnificent pages, which + afford so rich a field for scientific observation. We would, in the first + place, analyze his Nocturnes, Ballades, Impromptus, Scherzos, which are + full of refinements of harmony never heard before; bold, and of startling + originality. We would also examine his Polonaises, Mazourkas, Waltzes and + Boleros. But this is not the time or place for such a study, which would + be interesting only to the adepts in Counterpoint and Thoroughbass. + </p> + <p> + It is the feeling which overflows in all his works, which has rendered + them known and popular; feeling of a character eminently romantic, + subjective individual, peculiar to their author, yet awakening immediate + sympathy; appealing not alone to the heart of that country indebted to him + for yet one glory more, but to all who can be touched by the misfortunes + of exile, or moved by the tenderness of love. Not content with success in + the field in which he was free to design, with such perfect grace, the + contours chosen by himself, Chopin also wished to fetter his ideal + thoughts with classic chains. His Concertos and Sonatas are beautiful + indeed, but we may discern in them more effort than inspiration. His + creative genius was imperious, fantastic and impulsive. His beauties were + only manifested fully in entire freedom. We believe he offered violence to + the character of his genius whenever he sought to subject it to rules, to + classifications, to regulations not his own, and which he could not force + into harmony with the exactions of his own mind. He was one of those + original beings, whose graces are only fully displayed when they have cut + themselves adrift from all bondage, and float on at their own wild will, + swayed only by the ever undulating impulses of their own mobile natures. + </p> + <p> + He was, perhaps, induced to desire this double success through the example + of his friend, Mickiewicz, who, having been the first to gift his country + with romantic poetry, forming a school in Sclavic literature by the + publication of his Dziady, and his romantic Ballads, as early as 1818, + proved afterwards, by the publication at his Grazyna and Wallenrod, that + he could triumph over the difficulties that classic restrictions oppose to + inspiration, and that, when holding the classic lyre of the ancient poets, + he was still master. In making analogous attempts, we do not think Chopin + has been equally successful. He could not retain, within the square of an + angular and rigid mould, that floating and indeterminate contour which so + fascinates us in his graceful conceptions. He could not introduce in its + unyielding lines that shadowy and sketchy indecision, which, disguising + the skeleton, the whole frame-work of form, drapes it in the mist of + floating vapors, such as surround the white-bosomed maids of Ossian, when + they permit mortals to catch some vague, yet lovely outline, from their + home in the changing, drifting, blinding clouds. + </p> + <p> + Some of these efforts, however, are resplendent with a rare dignity of + style; and passages of exceeding interest, of surprising grandeur, may be + found among them. As an example of this, we cite the Adagio of the Second + Concerto, for which he evinced a decided preference, and which he liked to + repeat frequently. The accessory designs are in his best manner, while the + principal phrase is of an admirable breadth. It alternates with a + Recitative, which assumes a minor key, and which seems to be its + Antistrophe. The whole of this piece is of a perfection almost ideal; its + expression, now radiant with light, now full of tender pathos. It seems as + if one had chosen a happy vale of Tempe, a magnificent landscape flooded + with summer glow and lustre, as a background for the rehearsal of some + dire scene of mortal anguish. A bitter and irreparable regret seizes the + wildly-throbbing human heart, even in the midst of the incomparable + splendor of external nature. This contrast is sustained by a fusion of + tones, a softening of gloomy hues, which prevent the intrusion of aught + rude or brusque that might awaken a dissonance in the touching impression + produced, which, while saddening joy, soothes and softens the bitterness + of sorrow. + </p> + <p> + It would be impossible to pass in silence the Funeral March inserted in + the first Sonata, which was arranged for the orchestra, and performed, for + the first time, at his own obsequies. What other accents could have been + found capable of expressing, with the same heart-breaking effect, the + emotions, the tears, which should accompany to the last long sleep, one + who had taught in a manner so sublime, how great losses should be mourned? + We once heard it remarked by a native of his own country: "these pages + could only have been written by a Pole." All that the funeral train of an + entire nation weeping its own ruin and death can be imagined to feel of + desolating woe, of majestic sorrow, wails in the musical ringing of this + passing bell, mourns in the tolling of this solemn knell, as it + accompanies the mighty escort on its way to the still city of the Dead. + The intensity of mystic hope; the devout appeal to superhuman pity, to + infinite mercy, to a dread justice, which numbers every cradle and watches + every tomb; the exalted resignation which has wreathed so much grief with + halos so luminous; the noble endurance of so many disasters with the + inspired heroism of Christian martyrs who know not to despair;—resound + in this melancholy chant, whose voice of supplication breaks the heart. + All of most pure, of most holy, of most believing, of most hopeful in the + hearts of children, women, and priests, resounds, quivers and trembles + there with irresistible vibrations. We feel it is not the death of a + single warrior we mourn, while other heroes live to avenge him, but that a + whole generation of warriors has forever fallen, leaving the death song to + be chanted but by wailing women, weeping children and helpless priests. + Yet this Melopee so funereal, so full of desolating woe, is of such + penetrating sweetness, that we can scarcely deem it of this earth. These + sounds, in which the wild passion of human anguish seems chilled by awe + and softened by distance, impose a profound meditation, as if, chanted by + angels, they floated already in the heavens: the cry of a nation's anguish + mounting to the very throne of God! The appeal of human grief from the + lyre of seraphs! Neither cries, nor hoarse groans, nor impious + blasphemies, nor furious imprecations, trouble for a moment the sublime + sorrow of the plaint: it breathes upon the ear like the rhythmed sighs of + angels. The antique face of grief is entirely excluded. Nothing recalls + the fury of Cassandra, the prostration of Priam, the frenzy of Hecuba, the + despair of the Trojan captives. A sublime faith destroying in the + survivors of this Christian Ilion the bitterness of anguish and the + cowardice of despair, their sorrow is no longer marked by earthly + weakness. Raising itself from the soil wet with blood and tears, it + springs forward to implore God; and, having nothing more to hope from + earth, it supplicates the Supreme Judge with prayers so poignant, that our + hearts, in listening, break under the weight of an august compassion! It + would be a mistake to suppose that all the compositions of Chopin are + deprived of the feelings which he has deemed best to suppress in this + great work. Not so. Perhaps human nature is not capable of maintaining + always this mood of energetic abnegation, of courageous submission. We + meet with breathings of stifled rage, of suppressed anger, in many + passages of his writings: and many of his Studies, as well as his + Scherzos, depict a concentrated exasperation and despair, which are + sometimes manifested in bitter irony, sometimes in intolerant hauteur. + These dark apostrophes of his muse have attracted less attention, have + been less fully understood, than his poems of more tender coloring. The + personal character of Chopin had something to do with this general + misconception. Kind, courteous, and affable, of tranquil and almost joyous + manners, he would not suffer the secret convulsions which agitated him to + be even suspected. + </p> + <p> + His character was indeed not easily understood. A thousand subtle shades, + mingling, crossing, contradicting and disguising each other, rendered it + almost undecipherable at a first view. As is usually the case with the + Sclaves, it was difficult to read the recesses of his mind. With them, + loyalty and candor, familiarity and the most captivating ease of manner, + by no means imply confidence, or impulsive frankness. Like the twisted + folds of a serpent rolled upon itself, their feelings are half hidden, + half revealed. It requires a most attentive examination to follow the + coiled linking of the glittering rings. It would be naive to interpret + literally their courtesy full of compliment, their assumed humility. The + forms of this politeness, this modesty, have their solution in their + manners, in which their ancient connection with the East may be strangely + traced. Without having in the least degree acquired the taciturnity of the + Mussulman, they have yet learned from it a distrustful reserve upon all + subjects which touch upon the more delicate and personal chords of the + heart. When they speak of themselves, we may almost always be certain that + they keep some concealment in reserve, which assures them the advantage in + intellect, or feeling. They suffer their interrogator to remain in + ignorance of some circumstance, some mobile secret, through the unveiling + of which they would be more admired, or less esteemed, and which they well + know how to hide under the subtle smile of an almost imperceptible + mockery. Delighting in the pleasure of mystification, from the most + spiritual or comic to the most bitter and melancholy, they may perhaps + find in this deceptive raillery an external formula of disdain for the + veiled expression of the superiority which they internally claim, but + which claim they veil with the caution and astuteness natural to the + oppressed. + </p> + <p> + The frail and sickly organization of Chopin, not permitting him the + energetic expression of his passions, he gave to his friends only the + gentle and affectionate phase of his nature. In the busy, eager life of + large cities, where no one has time to study the destiny of another, where + every one is judged by his external activity, very few think it worth + while to attempt to penetrate the enigma of individual character. Those + who enjoyed familiar intercourse with Chopin, could not be blind to the + impatience and ennui he experienced in being, upon the calm character of + his manners, so promptly believed. And may not the artist revenge the man? + As his health was too frail to permit him to give vent to his impatience + through the vehemence of his execution, he sought to compensate himself by + pouring this bitterness over those pages which he loved to hear performed + with a vigor [Footnote: It was his delight to hear them executed by the + great Liszt himself.—Translator.] which he could not himself always + command: pages which are indeed full of the impassioned feelings of a man + suffering deeply from wounds which he does not choose to avow. Thus around + a gaily flagged, yet sinking ship, float the fallen spars and scattered + fragments, torn by warring winds and surging waves from its shattered + sides. + </p> + <p> + Such emotions have been of so much the more importance in the life of + Chopin, because they have deeply influenced the character of his + compositions. Among the pages published under such influences, may be + traced much analogous to the wire-drawn subtleties of Jean Paul, who found + it necessary, in order to move hearts macerated by passion, blazes through + suffering, to make use of the surprises caused by natural and physical + phenomena; to evoke the sensations of luxurious terrors arising from + occurrences not to be foreseen in the natural order of things; to awaken + the morbid excitements of a dreamy brain. Step by step the tortured mind + of Chopin arrived at a state of sickly irritability; his emotions + increased to a feverish tremor, producing that involution, that tortuosity + of thought, which mark his latest works. Almost suffocating under the + oppression of repressed feelings, using art only to repeat and rehearse + for himself his own internal tragedy, after having wearied emotion, he + began to subtilize it. His melodies are actually tormented; a nervous and + restless sensibility leads to an obstinate persistence in the handling and + rehandling and a reiterated pursuit of the tortured motifs, which impress + us as painfully as the sight of those physical or mental agonies which we + know can find relief only in death. Chopin was a victim to a disease + without hope, which growing more envenomed from year to year, took him, + while yet young, from those who loved him, and laid him in his still + grave. As in the fair form of some beautiful victim, the marks of the + grasping claws of the fierce bird of prey which has destroyed it, may be + found; so, in the productions of which we have just spoken, the traces of + the bitter sufferings which devoured his heart, are painfully visible. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. + </h2> + <p> + <i>National Character of the Polonaise—Oginski—Meyseder—Weber—Chopin—His + Polonaise in F Sharp, Minor—Polonaise—Fantaisie.</i> + </p> + <p> + It must not be supposed that the tortured aberrations of feeling to which + we have just alluded, ever injure the harmonic tissue in the works of + Chopin on the contrary, they only render it a more curious subject for + analysis. Such eccentricities rarely occur in his more generally known and + admired compositions. His Polonaises, which are less studied than they + merit, on account of the difficulties presented by their perfect + execution, are to be classed among his highest inspirations. They never + remind us of the mincing and affected "Polonaises a la Pompadour," which + our orchestras have introduced into ball-rooms, our virtuosi in concerts, + or of those to be found in our "Parlor Repertories," filled, as they + invariably are, with hackneyed collections of music, marked by insipidity + and mannerism. + </p> + <p> + His Polonaises, characterized by an energetic rhythm, galvanize and + electrify the torpor of indifference. The most noble traditional feelings + of ancient Poland are embodied in them. The firm resolve and calm gravity + of its men of other days, breathe through these compositions. Generally of + a martial character, courage and daring are rendered with that simplicity + of expression, said to be a distinctive trait of this warlike people. They + bring vividly before the imagination, the ancient Poles, as we find them + described in their chronicles; gifted with powerful organizations, subtle + intellects, indomitable courage and earnest piety, mingled with high-born + courtesy and a gallantry which never deserted them, whether on the eve of + battle, during its exciting course, in the triumph of victory, or amidst + the gloom of defeat. So inherent was this gallantry and chivalric courtesy + in their nature, that in spite of the restraint which their customs + (resembling those of their neighbours and enemies, the infidels of + Stamboul) induced them to exercise upon their women, confining them in the + limits of domestic life and always holding them under legal wardship, they + still manifest themselves in their annals, in which they have glorified + and immortalized queens who were saints; vassals who became queens, + beautiful subjects for whose sake some periled, while others lost, crowns: + a terrible Sforza; an intriguing d'Arquien; and a coquettish Gonzaga. + </p> + <p> + The Poles of olden times united a manly firmness with this peculiar + chivalric devotion to the objects of their love. A characteristic example + of this may be seen in the letters of Jean Sobieski to his wife. They were + dictated in face of the standards of the Crescent, "numerous as the ears + in a grain-field," tender and devoted as is their character. Such traits + caught a singular and imposing hue from the grave deportment of these men, + so dignified that they might almost be accused of pomposity. It was next + to impossible that they should not contract a taste for this stateliness, + when we consider that they had almost always before them the most + exquisite type of gravity of manner in the followers of Islam, whose + qualities they appreciated and appropriated, even while engaged in + repelling their invasions. Like the infidel, they knew how to preface + their acts by an intelligent deliberation, so that the device of Prince + Boleslas of Pomerania, was always present to them: "First weigh it; then + dare:" Erst wieg's: dann wag's! Such deliberation imparted a kind of + stately pride to their movements, while it left them in possession of an + ease and freedom of spirit accessible to the lightest cares of tenderness, + to the most trivial interests of the passing hour, to the most transient + feelings of the heart. As it made part of their code of honor to make + those who interfered with them, in their more tender interests, pay dearly + for it; so they knew how to beautify life, and, better still, they knew + how to love those who embellished it; to revere those who rendered it + precious to them. + </p> + <p> + Their chivalric heroism was sanctioned by their grave and haughty dignity; + an intelligent and premeditated conviction added the force of reason to + the energy of impulsive virtue; thus they have succeeded in winning the + admiration of all ages, of all minds, even that of their most determined + adversaries. They were characterized by qualities rarely found together, + the description of which would appear almost paradoxical: reckless wisdom, + daring prudence, and fanatic fatalism. The most marked and celebrated + historic manifestation of these properties is to be found in the + expedition of Sobieski when he saved Vienna, and gave a mortal blow to the + Ottoman Empire, which was at last conquered in the long struggle, + sustained on both sides with so much prowess and glory, with so much + mutual deference between opponents as magnanimous in their truces as + irreconcilable in their combats. + </p> + <p> + While listening to some of the POLONAISES of Chopin, we can almost catch + the firm, nay, the more than firm, the heavy, resolute tread of men + bravely facing all the bitter injustice which the most cruel and + relentless destiny can offer, with the manly pride of unblenching courage. + The progress of the music suggests to our imagination such magnificent + groups as were designed by Paul Veronese, robed in the rich costume of + days long past: we see passing at intervals before us, brocades of gold, + velvets, damasked satins, silvery soft and flexile sables, hanging sleeves + gracefully thrown back upon the shoulders, embossed sabres, boots yellow + as gold or red with trampled blood, sashes with long and undulating + fringes, close chemisettes, rustling trains, stomachers embroidered with + pearls, head dresses glittering with rubies or leafy with emeralds, light + slippers rich with amber, gloves perfumed with the luxurious attar from + the harems. Prom the faded background of times long passed these vivid + groups start forth; gorgeous carpets from Persia lie at their feet, + filigreed furniture from Constantinople stands around; all is marked by + the sumptuous prodigality of the Magnates who drew, in ruby goblets + embossed with medallions, wine from the fountains of Tokay, and shoed + their fleet Arabian steeds with silver, who surmounted all their + escutcheons with the same crown which the fate of an election might render + a royal one, and which, causing them to despise all other titles, was + alone worn as INSIGNE of their glorious equality. + </p> + <p> + Those who have seen the Polonaise danced even as late as the beginning of + the present century, declare that its style has changed so much, that it + is now almost impossible to divine its primitive character. As very few + national dances have succeeded in preserving their racy originality, we + may imagine, when we take into consideration the changes which have + occurred, to what a degree this has degenerated. The Polonaise is without + rapid movements, without any true steps in the artistic sense of the word, + intended rather for display than for the exhibition of seductive grace; so + we may readily conceive it must lose all its haughty importance, its + pompous self-sufficiency, when the dancers are deprived of the accessories + necessary to enable them to animate its simple form by dignified, yet + vivid gestures, by appropriate and expressive pantomime, and when the + costume peculiarly fitted for it is no longer worn. It has indeed become + decidedly monotonous, a mere circulating promenade, exciting but little + interest. Unless we could see it danced by some of the old regime who + still wear the ancient costume, or listen to their animated descriptions + of it, we can form no conception of the numerous incidents, the scenic + pantomime, which once rendered it so effective. By a rare exception this + dance was designed to exhibit the men, to display manly beauty, to set off + noble and dignified deportment, martial yet courtly bearing. "Martial yet + courtly:" do not these two epithets almost define the Polish character? In + the original the very name of the dance is masculine; it is only in + consequence of a misconception that it has been translated in other + tongues into the feminine gender. + </p> + <p> + Those who have never seen the KONTUSZ worn, (it is a kind of Occidental + kaftan, as it is the robe of the Orientals, modified to suit the customs + of an active life, unfettered by the stagnant resignation taught by + fatalism,) a sort of FEREDGI, often trimmed with fur, forcing the wearer + to make frequent movements susceptible of grace and coquetry, by which the + flowing sleeves are thrown backward, can scarcely imagine the bearing, the + slow bending, the quick rising, the finesse of the delicate pantomime + displayed by the Ancients, as they defiled in a Polonaise, as though in a + military parade, not suffering their fingers to remain idle, but sometimes + occupying them in playing with the long moustache, sometimes with the + handle of the sword. Both moustache and sword were essential parts of the + costume, and were indeed objects of vanity with all ages. Diamonds and + sapphires frequently sparkled upon the arms, worn suspended from belts of + cashmere, or from sashes of silk embroidered with gold, displaying to + advantage forms always slightly corpulent; the moustache often veiled, + without quite hiding, some scar, far more effective than the most + brilliant array of jewels. The dress of the men rivaled that of the women + in the luxury of the material worn, in the value of the precious stones, + and in the variety of vivid colors. This love of adornment is also found + among the Hungarians, [Footnote: The Hungarian costume worn by Prince + Nicholas Esterhazy at the coronation of George the Fourth, is still + remembered in England. It was valued at several millions of florins.] as + may be seen in their buttons made of jewels, the rings forming a necessary + part of their dress, the wrought clasps for the neck, the aigrettes and + plumes adorning the cap made of velvet of some brilliant hue. To know how + to take off, to put on, to manoeuvre the cap with all possible grace, + constituted almost an art. During the progress of a Polonaise, this became + an object of especial remark, because the cavalier of the leading pair, as + commandant of the file, gave the mute word of command, which was + immediately obeyed and imitated by the rest of the train. + </p> + <p> + The master of the house in which the ball was given, always opened it + himself by leading off in this dance. His partner was selected neither for + her beauty, nor youth; the most highly honored lady present was always + chosen. This phalanx, by whose evolutions every fete was commenced, was + not formed only of the young: it was composed of the most distinguished, + as well as of the most beautiful. A grand review, a dazzling exhibition of + all the distinction present, was offered as the highest pleasure of the + festival. After the host, came next in order the guests of the greatest + consideration, who, choosing their partners, some from friendship, some + from policy or from desire of advancement, some from love,—followed + closely his steps. His task was a far more complicated one than it is at + present. He was expected to conduct the files under his guidance through a + thousand capricious meanderings, through long suites of apartments lined + by guests, who were to take a later part in this brilliant cortege. They + liked to be conducted through distant galleries, through the parterres of + illuminated gardens, through the groves of shrubbery, where distant echoes + of the music alone reached the ear, which, as if in revenge, greeted them + with redoubled sound and blowing of trumpets upon their return to the + principal saloon. As the spectators, ranged like rows of hedges along the + route, were continually changing, and never ceased for a moment to observe + all their movements, the dancers never forgot that dignity of bearing and + address which won for them the admiration of women, and excited the + jealousy of men. Vain and joyous, the host would have deemed himself + wanting in courtesy to his guests, had he not evinced to them, which he + did sometimes with a piquant naivete, the pride he felt in seeing himself + surrounded by persons so illustrious, and partisans so noble, all striving + through the splendor of the attire chosen to visit him, to show their high + sense of the honor in which they held him. + </p> + <p> + Guided by him in their first circuit, they were led through long windings, + where unexpected turns, views, and openings had been arranged beforehand + to cause surprise; where architectural deceptions, decorations and + shifting scenes had been studiously adapted to increase the pleasure of + the festival. If any monument or inscription, fitted for the occasion, lay + upon the long line of route, from which some complimentary homage might be + drawn to the "most valiant or the most beautiful," the honors were + gracefully done by the host. The more unexpected the surprises arranged + for these excursions, the more imagination evinced in their invention, the + louder were the applauses from the younger part of the society, the more + ardent the exclamations of delight; and silvery sounds of merry laughter + greeted pleasantly the ears of the conductor-in-chief, who, having thus + succeeded in achieving his reputation, became a privileged Corypheus, a + leader par excellence. If he had already attained a certain age, he was + greeted on his return from such circuits by frequent deputations of young + ladies, who came, in the name of all present, to thank and congratulate + him. Through their vivid descriptions, these pretty wanderers excited the + curiosity of the guests, and increased the eagerness for the formation of + the succeeding Polonaises among those who, though they did not make part + of the procession, still watched its passage in motionless attention, as + if gazing upon the flashing line of light of some brilliant meteor. + </p> + <p> + In this land of aristocratic democracy, the numerous dependents of the + great seigniorial houses, (too poor, indeed, to take part in the fete, yet + only excluded from it by their own volition, all, however noble, some even + more noble than their lords,) being all present, it was considered highly + desirable to dazzle them; and this flowing chain of rainbow-hued and + gorgeous light, like an immense serpent with its glittering rings, + sometimes wreathed its linked folds, sometimes uncoiled its entire length, + to display its brilliancy through the whole line of its undulating + animated surface, in the most vivid scintillations; accompanying the + shifting hues with the silvery sounds of chains of gold, ringing like + muffled bells; with the rustling of the heavy sweep of gorgeous damasks + and with the dragging of jewelled swords upon the floor. The murmuring + sound of many voices announced the approach of this animated, varied, and + glittering life-stream. + </p> + <p> + But the genius of hospitality, never deficient in high-born courtesy, and + which, even while preserving the touching simplicity of primitive manners, + inspired in Poland all the refinements of the most advanced state of + civilization,—how could it be exiled from the details of a dance so + eminently Polish? After the host had, by inaugurating the fete, rendered + due homage to all who were present, any one of his guests had the right to + claim his place with the lady whom he had honored by his choice. The new + claimant, clapping his hands, to arrest for a moment the ever moving + cortege, bowed before the partner of the host, begging her graciously to + accept the change; while the host, from whom she had been taken, made the + same appeal to the lady next in course. This example was followed by the + whole train. Constantly changing partners, whenever a new cavalier claimed + the honor of leading the one first chosen by the host, the ladies remained + in the same succession during the whole course; while, on the contrary, as + the gentlemen continually replaced each other, he who had commenced the + dance, would, in its progress, become the last, if not indeed entirely + excluded before its close. + </p> + <p> + Each cavalier who placed himself in turn at the head of the column, tried + to surpass his predecessors in the novelty of the combinations of his + opening, in the complications of the windings through which he led the + expectant cortege; and this course, even when restricted to a single + saloon, might be made remarkable by the designing of graceful arabesques, + or the involved tracing of enigmatical ciphers. He made good his claim to + the place he had solicited, and displayed his skill, by inventing close, + complicated and inextricable figures; by describing them with so much + certainty and accuracy, that the living ribbon, turned and twisted as it + might be, was never broken in the loosing of its wreathed knots; and by so + leading, that no confusion or graceless jostling should result from the + complicated torsion. The succeeding couples, who had only to follow the + figures already given, and thus continue the impulsion, were not permitted + to drag themselves lazily and listlessly along the parquet. The step was + rhythmic, cadenced, and undulating; the whole form swayed by graceful + wavings and harmonious balancings. They were careful never to advance with + too much haste, nor to replace each other as if driven on by some urgent + necessity. On they glided, like swans descending a tranquil stream, their + flexile forms swayed by the ebb and swell of unseen and gentle waves. + Sometimes, the gentleman offered the right, sometimes, the left hand to + his partner; touching only the points of her fingers, or clasping the + slight hand within his own, he passed now to her right, now to her left, + without yielding the snowy treasure. These complicated movements, being + instantaneously imitated by every pair, ran, like an electric shiver, + through the whole length of this gigantic serpent. Although apparently + occupied and absorbed by these multiplied manoeuvres, the cavalier yet + found time to bend to his lady and whisper sweet flatteries in her ear, if + she were young; if young no longer, to repose confidence, to urge requests, + or to repeat to her the news of the hour. Then, haughtily raising himself, + he would make the metal of his arms ring, caress his thick moustache, + giving to all his features an expression so vivid, that the lady was + forced to respond by the animation of her own countenance. + </p> + <p> + Thus, it was no hackneyed and senseless promenade which they executed; it + was, rather, a parade in which the whole splendor of the society was + exhibited, gratified with its own admiration, conscious of its own + elegance, brilliancy, nobility and courtesy. It was a constant display of + its lustre, its glory, its renown. Men grown gray in camps, or in the + strife of courtly eloquence; generals more often seen in the cuirass than + in the robes of peace; prelates and persons high in the Church; + dignitaries of State aged senators; warlike palatines; ambitious + castellans;—were the partners who were expected, welcomed, disputed + and sought for, by the youngest, gayest, and most brilliant women present. + Honor and glory rendered ages equal, and caused years to be forgotten in + this dance; nay, more, they gave an advantage even over love. It was while + listening to the animated descriptions of the almost forgotten evolutions + and dignified capabilities of this truly national dance, from the lips of + those who would never abandon the ancient Zupan and Kontusz, and who still + wore their hair closely cut round their temples, as it had been worn by + their ancestors, that we first fully understood in what a high degree this + haughty nation possessed the innate instinct of its own exhibition, and + how entirely it had succeeded, through its natural grace and genius, in + poetizing its love of ostentation by draping it in the charms of noble + emotions, and wrapping round it the glittering robes of martial glory. + </p> + <p> + When we visited the country of Chopin, whose memory always accompanied us + like a faithful guide who constantly keeps our interest excited, we were + fortunate enough to meet with some of the peculiar characters, daily + growing more rare, because European civilization, even where it does not + modify the basis of character, effaces asperities, and moulds exterior + forms. We there encountered some of those men gifted with superior + intellect, cultivated and strongly developed by a life of incessant + action, yet whose horizon does not extend beyond the limits of their own + country, their own society, their own traditions. During our intercourse, + facilitated by an interpreter, with these men of past days, we were able + to study them and to understand the secret of their greatness. It was + really curious to observe the inimitable originality caused by the utter + exclusiveness of the view taken by them. This limited cultivation, while + it greatly diminishes the value of their ideas upon many subjects, at the + same time gifts the mind with a peculiar force, almost resembling the keen + scent and the acute perceptions of the savage, for all the things near and + dear to it. Only from a mind of this peculiar training, marked by a + concentrative energy that nothing can distract from its course, every + thing beyond the circle of its own nationality remaining alien to it, can + we hope to obtain an exact picture of the past; for it alone, like a + faithful mirror, reflects it in its primal coloring, preserves its proper + lights and shades, and gives it with its varied and picturesque + accompaniments. From such minds alone can we obtain, with the ritual of + customs which are rapidly becoming extinct, the spirit from which they + emanated. Chopin was born too late, and left the domestic hearth too + early, to be himself in possession of this spirit; but he had known many + examples of it, and, through the memories which surrounded his childhood, + even more fully than through the literature and history of his country, he + found by induction the secrets of its ancient prestige, which he evoked + from the dim and dark land of forgetfulness, and, through the magic of his + poetic art, endowed with immortal youth. Poets are better comprehended and + appreciated by those who have made themselves familiar with the countries + which inspired their songs. Pindar is more fully understood by those who + have seen the Parthenon bathed in the radiance of its limpid atmosphere; + Ossian, by those familiar with the mountains of Scotland, with their heavy + veils and long wreaths of mist. The feelings which inspired the creations + of Chopin can only be fully appreciated by those who have visited his + country. They must have seen the giant shadows of past centuries gradually + increasing, and veiling the ground as the gloomy night of despair rolled + on; they must have felt the electric and mystic influence of that strange + "phantom of glory" forever haunting martyred Poland. Even in the gayest + hours of festival, it appalls and saddens all hearts. Whenever a tale of + past renown, a commemoration of slaughtered heroes is given, an allusion + to national prowess is made, its resurrection from the grave is + instantaneous; it takes its place in the banquet-hall, spreading an + electric terror mingled with intense admiration; a shudder, wild and + mystic as that which seizes upon the peasants of Ukraine, when the + "Beautiful Virgin," white as Death, with her girdle of crimson, is + suddenly seen gliding through their tranquil village, while her shadowy + hand marks with blood the door of each cottage doomed to destruction. + </p> + <p> + During many centuries, the civilization of Poland was entirely peculiar + and aboriginal; it did not resemble that of any other country; and, + indeed, it seems destined to remain forever unique in its kind. As + different from the German feudalism which neighboured it upon the West, as + from the conquering spirit of the Turks which disquieted it on the East, + it resembled Europe in its chivalric Christianity, in its eagerness to + attack the infidel, even while receiving instruction in sagacious policy, + in military tactics, and sententious reasoning, from the masters of + Byzantium. By the assumption, at the same time, of the heroic qualities of + Mussulman fanaticism and the sublime virtues of Christian sanctity and + humility, [Footnote: It is well known with how many glorious names Poland + has enriched the martyrology of the Church. In memorial of the countless + martyrs it had offered, the Roman Church granted to the order of + Trinitarians, or Redemptorist Brothers, whose duty it was to redeem from + slavery the Christians who had fallen into the hands of the Infidels, the + distinction, only granted to this nation, of wearing a crimson belt. These + victims to benevolence were generally from the establishments near the + frontiers, such as those of Kamieniec-Podolski.] it mingled the most + heterogeneous elements, and thus planted in its very bosom the seeds of + ruin and decay. + </p> + <p> + The general culture of Latin letters, the knowledge of and love for + Italian and French literature gave a lustre and classical polish to the + startling contrasts we hare attempted to describe. Such a civilization + must necessarily impress all its manifestations with its own seal. As was + natural for a nation always engaged in war, forced to reserve its deeds of + prowess and valor for its enemies upon the field of battle, it was not + famed for the romances of knight-errantry, for tournaments or jousts; it + replaced the excitement and splendor of the mimic war by characteristic + fetes, in which the gorgeousness of personal display formed the principal + feature. + </p> + <p> + There is certainly nothing new in the assertion, that national character + is, in some degree, revealed by national dances. We believe, however, + there are none in which the creative impulses can be so readily + deciphered, or the ensemble traced with so much simplicity, as in the + Polonaise. In consequence of the varied episodes which each individual was + expected to insert in the general frame, the national intuitions were + revealed with the greatest diversity. When these distinctive marks + disappeared, when the original flame no longer burned, when no one + invented scenes for the intermediary pauses, when to accomplish + mechanically the obligatory circuit of a saloon, was all that was + requisite, nothing but the skeleton of departed glory remained. + </p> + <p> + We would certainly have hesitated to speak of the Polonaise, after the + exquisite verses which Mickiewicz has consecrated to it, and the admirable + description which he has given of it in the last Canto of the "Pan + Tadeusz," but that this description is to be found only in a work not yet + translated, and, consequently, only known to the compatriots of the Poet. + [Footnote: It has been translated into German.—T.] It would have + been presumptuous, even under another form, to have ventured upon a + subject already sketched and colored by such a hand, in his romantic Epic, + in which beauties of the highest order are set in such a scene as Ruysdael + loved to paint; where a ray of sunshine, thrown through heavy + storm-clouds, falls upon one of those strange trees never wanting in his + pictures, a birch shattered by lightning, while its snowy bark is deeply + stained, as if dyed in the blood flowing from its fresh and gaping wounds. + The scenes of "Pan Tadeusz" are laid at the beginning of the present + century, when many still lived who retained the profound feeling and grave + deportment of the ancient Poles, mingled with those who were even then + under the sway of the graceful or giddying passions of modern origin. + These striking and contrasting types existing together at that period, are + now rapidly disappearing before that universal conventionalism which is at + present seizing and moulding the higher classes in all cities and in all + countries. Without doubt, Chopin frequently drew fresh inspiration from + this noble poem, whose scenes so forcibly depict the emotions he best + loved to reproduce. + </p> + <p> + The primitive music of the Polonaise, of which we have no example of + greater age than a century, possesses but little value for art. Those + Polonaises which do not bear the names of their authors, but are + frequently marked with the name of some hero, thus indicating their date, + are generally grave and sweet. The Polonaise styled "de Kosciuszko," is + the most universally known, and is so closely linked with the memories of + his epoch, that we have known ladies who could not hear it without + breaking into sobs. The Princess F. L., who had been loved by Kosciuszko, + in her last days, when age had enfeebled all her faculties, was only + sensible to the chords of this piece, which her trembling hands could + still find upon the key-board, though the dim and aged eye could no longer + see the keys. Some contemporary Polonaises are of a character so sad, that + they might almost be supposed to accompany a funeral train. + </p> + <p> + The Polonaises of Count Oginski [Footnote: Among the Polonaises of Count + Oginski, the one in F Major has especially retained its celebrity. It was + published with a vignette, representing the author in the act of blowing + his brains out with a pistol. This was merely a romantic commentary, which + was for a long time mistaken for a fact.] which next appeared, soon + attained great popularity through the introduction of an air of seductive + languor into the melancholy strains. Full of gloom as they still are, they + soothe by their delicious tenderness, by their naive and mournful grace. + The martial rhythm grows more feeble; the march of the stately train, no + longer rustling in its pride of state, is hushed in reverential silence, + in solemn thought, as if its course wound on through graves, whose sad + swells extinguish smiles and humiliate pride. Love alone survives, as the + mourners wander among the mounds of earth so freshly heaped that the grass + has not yet grown upon them, repeating the sad refrain which the Bard of + Erin caught from the wild breezes of the sea: + </p> + <p> + "Love born of sorrow, like sorrow is true!" + </p> + <p> + In the well known pages of Oginski may be found the sighing of analogous + thoughts: the very breath of love is sad, and only revealed through the + melancholy lustre of eyes bathed in tears. + </p> + <p> + At a somewhat later stage, the graves and grassy mounds were all passed, + they are seen only in the distance of the shadowy background. The living + cannot always weep; life and animation again appear, mournful thoughts + changed into soothing memories, return on the ear, sweet as distant + echoes. The saddened train of the living no longer hush their breath as + they glide on with noiseless precaution, as if not to disturb the sleep of + those who have just departed, over whose graves the turf is not yet green; + the imagination no longer evokes only the gloomy shadows of the past. In + the Polonaises of Lipinski we hear the music of the pleasure-loving heart + once more beating joyously, giddily, happily, as it had done before the + days of disaster and defeat. The melodies breathe more and more the + perfume of happy youth; love, young love, sighs around. Expanding into + expressive songs of vague and dreamy character, they speak but to youthful + hearts, cradling them in poetic fictions, in soft illusions. No longer + destined to cadence the steps of the high and grave personages who ceased + to bear their part in these dances, [Footnote: Bishops and Primates + formerly assisted in these dances; at a later date the Church dignitaries + took no part in them.] they are addressed to romantic imaginations, + dreaming rather of rapture than of renown. Meyseder advanced upon this + descending path; his dances, full of lively coquetry, reflect only the + magic charms of youth and beauty. His numerous imitations have inundated + us with pieces of music, called Polonaises, out which have no + characteristics to justify the name. + </p> + <p> + The pristine and vigorous brilliancy of the Polonaise was again suddenly + given to it by a composer of true genius. Weber made of it a Dithyrambic, + in which the glittering display of vanished magnificence again appeared in + its ancient glory. He united all the resources of his art to ennoble the + formula which had been so misrepresented and debased, to fill it with the + spirit of the past; not seeking to recall the character of ancient music, + he transported into music the characteristics of ancient Poland. Using the + melody as a recital, he accentuated the rhythm, he colored his + composition, through his modulations, with a profusion of hues not only + suitable to his subject, but imperiously demanded by it. Life, warmth, and + passion again circulated in his Polonaises, yet he did not deprive them of + the haughty charm, the ceremonious and magisterial dignity, the natural + yet elaborate majesty, which are essential parts of their character. The + cadences are marked by chords, which fall upon the ear like the rattling + of swords drawn from their scabbards. The soft, warm, effeminate pleadings + of love give place to the murmuring of deep, fall, bass voices, proceeding + from manly breasts used to command; we may almost hear, in reply, the wild + and distant neighings of the steeds of the desert, as they toss the long + manes around their haughty heads, impatiently pawing the ground, with + their lustrous eye beaming with intelligence and full of fire, while they + bear with stately grace the trailing caparisons embroidered with turquoise + and rubies, with which the Polish Seigneurs loved to adorn them. + [Footnote: Among the treasures of Prince radziwill at Nieswirz were to be + seen, in the days of former splendor, twelve sets of horse trappings, each + of a different color, incrusted with precious stones. The twelve Apostles, + life size, in massive silver, were also to be seen there. This luxury will + cease to astonish us when we consider that the family of Radziwill was + descended from the last Grand Pontiff of Lithuania, to whom, when he + embraced Christianity, were given all the forests and plains which had + before been consecrated to the worship of the heathen Deities; and that + toward the close of the last century, the family still possessed eight + hundred thousand serfs, although its riches had then considerably + diminished. Among the collection of treasures of which we speak, was an + exceedingly curious relic, which is still in existence. It is a picture of + St. John the Baptist, surrounded by a Bannerol bearing the inscription: + "In the name of the Lord, John, thou shalt be Conqueror." It was found by + Jean Sobieski himself, after the victory which he had won, under the walls + of Vienna, in the tent of the Vizier Kara Mustapha. It was presented after + his death, by Marie d'Arquin, to a Prince Radziwill, with an inscription + in her own hand-writing which indicates its origin, and the presentation + which she makes of it. The autograph, with the royal seal, is on the + reverse side of the canvas.] How did Weber divine the Poland of other + days? Had he indeed the power to call from the grave of the past, the + scenes which we have just contemplated, that he was thus able to clothe + them with life, to renew their earlier associations? Vain questions! + Genius is always endowed with its own sacred intuitions! Poetry ever + reveals to her chosen the secrets of her wild domain! + </p> + <p> + All the poetry contained in the Polonaises had, like a rich sap, been so + fully expressed from them by the genius of Weber, they had been handled + with a mastery so absolute, that it was, indeed, a dangerous and difficult + thing to attempt them, with the slightest hope of producing the same + effect. He has, however, been surpassed in this species of composition by + Chopin, not only in the number and variety of works in this style, but + also in the more touching character of the handling, and the new and + varied processes of harmony. Both in construction and spirit, Chopin's + Polonaise In A, with the one in A flat major, resembles very much the one + of Weber's in E Major. In others he relinquished this broad style: Shall + we say always with a more decided success? In such a question, decision + were a thorny thing. Who shall restrict the rights of a poet over the + various phases of his subject? Even in the midst of joy, may he not be + permitted to be gloomy and oppressed? After having chanted the splendor of + glory, may he not sing of grief? After having rejoiced with the + victorious, may he not mourn with the vanquished? We may, without any fear + of contradiction, assert, that it is not one of the least merits of + Chopin, that he has, consecutively, embraced ALL the phases of which the + theme is susceptible, that he has succeeded in eliciting from it all its + brilliancy, in awakening from it all its sadness. The variety of the moods + of feeling to which he was himself subject, aided him in the reproduction + and comprehension of such a multiplicity of views. It would be impossible + to follow the varied transformations occurring in these compositions, with + their pervading melancholy, without admiring the fecundity of his creative + force, even when not fully sustained by the higher powers of his + inspiration. He did not always confine himself to the consideration of the + pictures presented to him by his imagination and memory, taken en masse, + or as a united whole. More than once, while contemplating the brilliant + groups and throngs flowing on before him, has he yielded to the strange + charm of some isolated figure, arresting it in its course by the magic of + his gaze, and, suffering the gay crowds to pass on, he has given himself + up with delight to the divination of its mystic revelations, while he + continued to weave his incantations and spells only for the entranced + Sibyl of his song. + </p> + <p> + His GRAND POLONAISE in F SHARP MINOR, must be ranked among his most + energetic compositions. He has inserted in it a MAZOURKA. Had he not + frightened the frivolous world of fashionable life, by the gloomy + grotesqueness with which he introduced it in an incantation so fantastic, + this mode might have become an ingenious caprice for the ball-room. It is + a most original production, exciting us like the recital of some broken + dream, made, after a night of restlessness, by the first dull, gray, cold, + leaden rays of a winter's sunrise. It is a dream-poem, in which the + impressions and objects succeed each other with startling incoherency and + with the wildest transitions, reminding us of what Byron says in his + "DREAM:" + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "... Dreams in their development have breath, + And tears, and tortures, and the touch of joy; + They leave a weight upon our waking thoughts, + * * * * * * * * + And look like heralds of Eternity." +</pre> + <p> + The principal motive is a weird air, dark as the lurid hour which precedes + a hurricane, in which we catch the fierce exclamations of exasperation, + mingled with a bold defiance, recklessly hurled at the stormy elements. + The prolonged return of a tonic, at the commencement of each measure, + reminds us of the repeated roar of artillery—as if we caught the + sounds from some dread battle waging in the distance. After the + termination of this note, a series of the most unusual chords are unrolled + through measure after measure. We know nothing analogous, to the striking + effect produced by this, in the compositions of the greatest masters. This + passage is suddenly interrupted by a SCENE CHAMPETRE, a MAZOURKA in the + style of an Idyl, full of the perfume of lavender and sweet marjoram; but + which, far from effacing the memory of the profound sorrow which had + before been awakened, only augments, by its ironical and bitter contrast, + our emotions of pain to such a degree, that we feel almost solaced when + the first phrase returns; and, free from the disturbing contradiction of a + naive, simple, and inglorious happiness, we may again sympathize with the + noble and imposing woe of a high, yet fatal struggle. This improvisation + terminates like a dream, without other conclusion than a convulsive + shudder; leaving the soul under the strangest, the wildest, the most + subduing impressions. + </p> + <p> + The "POLONAISE-FANTAISIE" is to be classed among the works which belong to + the latest period of Chopin's compositions, which are all more or less + marked by a feverish and restless anxiety. No bold and brilliant pictures + are to be found in it; the loud tramp of a cavalry accustomed to victory + is no longer heard; no more resound the heroic chants muffled by no + visions of defeat—the bold tones suited to the audacity of those who + were always victorious. A deep melancholy—ever broken by startled + movements, by sudden alarms, by disturbed rest, by stifled sighs—reigns + throughout. We are surrounded by such scenes and feelings as might arise + among those who had been surprised and encompassed on all sides by an + ambuscade, the vast sweep of whose horizon reveals not a single ground for + hope, and whose despair had giddied the brain, like a draught of that wine + of Cyprus which gives a more instinctive rapidity to all our gestures, a + keener point to all our words, a more subtle flame to all our emotions, + and excites the mind to a pitch of irritability approaching insanity. + </p> + <p> + Such pictures possess but little real value for art. Like all descriptions + of moments of extremity, of agonies, of death rattles, of contractions of + the muscles where all elasticity is lost, where the nerves, ceasing to be + the organs of the human will, reduce man to a passive victim of despair; + they only serve to torture the soul. Deplorable visions, which the artist + should admit with extreme circumspection within the graceful circle of his + charmed realm! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Chopin's Mazourkas—Polish Ladies—Mazourka in Poland—Tortured + Motives—Early life of Chopin—Zal.</i> + </p> + <p> + In all that regards expression, the MAZOURKAS of Chopin differ greatly + from his POLONAISES. Indeed they are entirely unlike in character. The + bold and vigorous coloring of the Polonaises gives place to the most + delicate, tender, and evanescent shades in the Mazourkas. A nation, + considered as a whole, in its united, characteristic, and single impetus, + is no longer placed before us; the character and impressions now become + purely personal, always individualized and divided. No longer is the + feminine and effeminate element driven back into shadowy recesses. On the + contrary, it is brought out in the boldest relief, nay, it is brought into + such prominent importance that all else disappears, or, at most, serves + only as its accompaniment. The days are now past when to say that a woman + was charming, they called her GRATEFUL (WDZIECZNA); the very word charm + being derived from WDZIEKI: GRATITUDE. Woman no longer appears as a + protegee, but as a queen; she no longer forms only the better part of + life, she now entirely fills it. Man is still ardent, proud, and + presumptuous, but he yields himself up to a delirium of pleasure. This + very pleasure is, however, always stamped with melancholy. Both the music + of the national airs, and the words, which are almost always joined with + them, express mingled emotions of pain and joy. This strange but + attractive contrast was caused by the necessity of "CONSOLING MISERY" + (CIESZYC BIDE), which necessity induced them to seek the magical + distraction of the graceful Mazourka, with its transient delusions. The + words which were sung to these melodies, gave them a capability of linking + themselves with the sacred associations of memory, in a far higher degree + than is usual with ordinary dance-music. They were sung and re-sung a + thousand times in the days of buoyant youth, by fresh and sonorous voices, + in the hours of solitude, or in those of happy idleness. Linking the most + varying associations with the melody, they were again and again carelessly + hummed when traveling through forests, or ploughing the deep in ships; + perhaps they were listlessly upon the lips when some startling emotion has + suddenly surprised the singer; when an unexpected meeting, a long-desired + grouping, an unhoped-for word, has thrown an undying light upon the heart, + consecrating hours destined to live forever, and ever to shine on in the + memory, even through the most distant and gloomy recesses of the + constantly darkening future. + </p> + <p> + Such inspirations were used by Chopin in the most happy manner, and + greatly enriched with the treasures of his handling and style. Cutting + these diamonds so as to present a thousand facets, he brought all their + latent fire to light, and re-uniting even their glittering dust, he + mounted them in gorgeous caskets. Indeed what settings could he have + chosen better adapted to enhance the value of his early recollections, or + which would have given him more efficient aid in creating poems, in + arranging scenes, in depicting episodes, in producing romances? Such + associations and national memories are indebted to him for a reign far + more extensive than the land which gave them birth. Placing them among + those idealized types which art has touched and consecrated with her + resplendent lustre, he has gifted them with immortality. + </p> + <p> + In order fully to understand how perfectly this setting suited the varying + emotions which Chopin had succeeded in displaying in all the magic of + their rainbow hues, we must have seen the Mazourka danced in Poland, + because it is only there that it is possible to catch the haughty, yet + tender and alluring, character of this dance. The cavalier, always chosen + by the lady, seizes her as a conquest of which he is proud, striving to + exhibit her loveliness to the admiration of his rivals, before he whirls + her off in an entrancing and ardent embrace, through the tenderness of + which the defiant expression of the victor still gleams, mingling with the + blushing yet gratified vanity of the prize, whose beauty forms the glory + of his triumph. There are few more delightful scenes than a ball in + Poland. After the Mazourka has commenced, the attention, in place of being + distracted by a multitude of people jostling against each other without + grace or order, is fascinated by one couple of equal beauty, darting + forward, like twin stars, in free and unimpeded space. As if in the pride + of defiance, the cavalier accentuates his steps, quits his partner for a + moment, as if to contemplate her with renewed delight, rejoins her with + passionate eagerness, or whirls himself rapidly round, as though overcome + with the sudden joy and yielding to the delicious giddiness of rapture. + Sometimes, two couples start at the same moment, after which a change of + partners may occur between them; or a third cavalier may present himself, + and, clapping his hands, claim one of the ladies as his partner. The + queens of the festival are in turn claimed by the most brilliant gentlemen + present, courting the honor of leading them through the mazes of the + dance. + </p> + <p> + While in the Waltz and Galop, the dancers are isolated, and only confused + tableaux are offered to the bystanders; while the Quadrille is only a kind + of pass at arms made with foils, where attack and defence proceed with + equal indifference, where the most nonchalant display of grace is answered + with the same nonchalance; while the vivacity of the Polka, charming, we + confess, may easily become equivocal; while Fandangos, Tarantulas and + Minuets, are merely little love-dramas, only interesting to those who + execute them, in which the cavalier has nothing to do but to display his + partner, and the spectators have no share but to follow, tediously enough, + coquetries whose obligatory movements are not addressed to them;—in + the Mazourka, on the contrary, they have also their part, and the role of + the cavalier yields neither in grace nor importance to that of his fair + partner. + </p> + <p> + The long intervals which separate the successive appearance of the pairs + being reserved for conversation among the dancers, when their turn comes + again, the scene passes no longer only among themselves, but extends from + them to the spectators. It is to them that the cavalier exhibits the + vanity he feels in having been able to win the preference of the lady who + has selected him; it is in their presence she has deigned to show him this + honor; she strives to please them, because the triumph of charming them is + reflected upon her partner, and their applause may be made a part of the + most flattering and insinuating coquetry. Indeed, at the close of the + dance, she seems to make him a formal offering of their suffrages in her + favor. She bounds rapidly towards him and rests upon his arm,—a + movement susceptible of a thousand varying shades which feminine tact and + subtle feeling well know how to modify, ringing every change, from the + most impassioned and impulsive warmth of manner to an air of the most + complete "abandon." + </p> + <p> + What varied movements succeed each other in the course round the + ball-room! Commencing at first with a kind of timid hesitation, the lady + sways about like a bird about to take flight; gliding for some time on one + foot only, like a skater, she skims the ice of the polished floor; then, + running forward like a sportive child, she suddenly takes wing. Raising + her veiling eyelids, with head erect, with swelling bosom and elastic + bounds, she cleaves the air as the light bark cleaves the waves, and, like + an agile woodnymph, seems to sport with space. Again she recommences her + timid graceful gliding, looks round among the spectators, sends sighs and + words to the most, highly favored, then extending her white arms to the + partner who comes to rejoin her, again begins her vigorous steps which + transport her with magical rapidity from one end to the other of the + ball-room. She glides, she runs, she flies; emotion colors her cheek, + brightens her eye; fatigue bends her flexile form, retards her winged + feet, until, panting and exhausted, she softly sinks and reclines in the + arms of her partner, who, seizing her with vigorous arm, raises her a + moment in the air, before finishing with her the last intoxicating round. + </p> + <p> + In this triumphal course, in which may be seen a thousand Atalantas as + beautiful as the dreams of Ovid, many changes occur in the figures. The + couples, in the first chain, commence by giving each other the hand; then + forming themselves into a circle, whose rapid rotation dazzles the eye, + they wreathe a living crown, in which each lady is the only flower of its + own kind, while the glowing and varied colors are heightened by the + uniform costume of the men, the effect resembling that of the dark-green + foliage with which nature relieves her glowing buds and fragrant bloom. + They all then dart forward together with a sparkling animation, a jealous + emulation, defiling before the spectators as in a review—an + enumeration of which would scarcely yield in interest to those given us, + by Homer and Tasso, of the armies about to range themselves in the front + of battle! At the close of an hour or two, the same circle again forms to + end the dance; and on those days when amusement and pleasure fill all with + an excited gayety, sparkling and glittering through those impressible + temperaments like an aurora in a midnight sky, a general promenade is + recommenced, and in its accelerated movements, we cannot detect the least + symptom of fatigue among all these delicate yet enduring women; as if + their light limbs possessed the flexible tenacity and elasticity of steel! + </p> + <p> + As if by intuition, all the Polish women possess the magical science of + this dance. Even the least richly gifted among them know how to draw from + it new charms. If the graceful ease and noble dignity of those conscious + of their own power are full of attraction in it, timidity and modesty are + equally full of interest. This is so because of all modern dances, it + breathes most of pure love. As the dancers are always conscious that the + gaze of the spectators is fastened upon them, addressing themselves + constantly to them, there reigns in its very essence a mixture of innate + tenderness and mutual vanity, as full of delicacy and propriety as of + allurement. + </p> + <p> + The latent and unknown poetry, which was only indicated in the original + Polish Mazourkas, was divined, developed, and brought to light, by Chopin. + Preserving their rhythm, he ennobled their melody, enlarged their + proportions; and—in order to paint more fully in these productions, + which he loved to hear us call "pictures from the easel," the innumerable + and widely-differing emotions which agitate the heart during the progress + of this dance, above all, in the long intervals in which the cavalier has + a right to retain his place at the side of the lady, whom he never leaves—he + wrought into their tissues harmonic lights and shadows, as new in + themselves as were the subjects to which he adapted them. + </p> + <p> + Coquetries, vanities, fantasies, inclinations, elegies, vague emotions, + passions, conquests, struggles upon which the safety or favor of others + depends, all—all, meet in this dance. How difficult it is to form a + complete idea of the infinite gradations of passion—sometimes + pausing, sometimes progressing, sometimes suing, sometimes ruling! In the + country where the Mazourka reigns from the palace to the cottage, these + gradations are pursued, for a longer or shorter time, with as much ardor + and enthusiasm as malicious trifling. The good qualities and faults of men + are distributed among the Poles in a manner so fantastic, that, although + the essentials of character may remain nearly the same in all, they vary + and shade into each other in a manner so extraordinary, that it becomes + almost impossible to recognize or distinguish them. In natures so + capriciously amalgamated, a wonderful diversity occurs, adding to the + investigations of curiosity, a spur unknown in other lands; making of + every new relation a stimulating study, and lending unwonted interest to + the lightest incident. Nothing is here indifferent, nothing unheeded, + nothing hackneyed! Striking contrasts are constantly occurring among these + natures so mobile and susceptible, endowed with subtle, keen and vivid + intellects, with acute sensibilities increased by suffering and + misfortune; contrasts throwing lurid light upon hearts, like the blaze of + a conflagration illumining and revealing the gloom of midnight. Here + chance may bring together those who but a few hours before were strangers + to each other. The ordeal of a moment, a single word, may separate hearts + long united; sudden confidences are often forced by necessity, and + invincible suspicions frequently held in secret. As a witty woman once + remarked: "They often play a comedy, to avoid a tragedy!" That which has + never been uttered, is yet incessantly divined and understood. + Generalities are often used to sharpen interrogation, while concealing its + drift; the most evasive replies are carefully listened to, like the + ringing of metal, as a test of the quality. Often, when in appearance + pleading for others, the suitor is urging his own cause; and the most + graceful flattery may be only the veil of disguised exactions. + </p> + <p> + But caution and attention become at last wearisome to natures naturally + expansive and candid, and a tiresome frivolity, surprising enough before + the secret of its reckless indifference has been divined, mingles with the + most spiritual refinement, the most poetic sentiments, the most real + causes for intense suffering, as if to mock and jeer at all reality. It is + difficult to analyze or appreciate justly this frivolity, as it is + sometimes real, sometimes only assumed. It makes use of confusing replies + and strange resources to conceal the truth. It is sometimes justly, + sometimes wrongfully regarded as a kind of veil of motley, whose fantastic + tissue needs only to be slightly torn to reveal more than one hidden or + sleeping quality under the variegated folds of gossamer. It often follows + from such causes, that eloquence becomes only a sort of grave badinage, + sparkling with spangles like the play of fireworks, though the heart of + the discourse may contain nothing earnest; while the lightest raillery, + thrown out apparently at random, may perhaps be most sadly serious. Bitter + and intense thought follows closely upon the steps of the most tempestuous + gayety; nothing indeed remains absolutely superficial, though nothing is + presented without an artificial polish. In the discussions constantly + occurring in this country, where conversation is an art cultivated to the + highest degree, and occupying much time, there are always those present, + who, whether the topic discussed be grave or gay, can pass in a moment + from smiles to tears, from joy to sorrow, leaving the keenest observer in + doubt which is most real, so difficult is it to discern the fictitious + from the true. + </p> + <p> + In such varying modes of thought, where ideas shift like quick sands upon + the shores of the sea, they are rarely to be found again at the exact + point where they were left. This fact is in itself sufficient to give + interest to interviews otherwise insignificant. We have been taught this + in Paris by some natives of Poland, who astonished the Parisians by their + skill in "fencing in paradox;" an art in which every Pole is more or less + skillful, as he has felt more or less interest or amusement in its + cultivation. But the inimitable skill with which they are constantly able + to alternate the garb of truth or fiction (like touchstones, more certain + when least suspected, the one always concealed under the garb of the + other), the force which expends an immense amount of intellect upon the + most trivial occasions, as Gil Bias made use of as much intelligence to + find the means of subsistence for a single day, as was required by the + Spanish king to govern the whole of his domain; make at last an impression + as painful upon us as the games in which the jugglers of India exhibit + such wonderful skill, where sharp and deadly arms fly glittering through + the air, which the least error, the least want of perfect mastery, would + make the bright, swift messengers of certain death! Such skill is full of + concealed anxiety, terror, and anguish! From the complication of + circumstances, danger may lurk in the slightest inadvertence, in the least + imprudence, in possible accidents, while powerful assistance may suddenly + spring from some obscure and forgotten individual. A dramatic interest may + instantaneously arise from interviews apparently the most trivial, giving + an unforeseen phase to every relation. A misty uncertainty hovers round + every meeting, through whose clouds it is difficult to seize the contours, + to fix the lines, to ascertain the present and future influence, thus + rendering intercourse vague and unintelligible, filling it with an + indefinable and hidden terror, yet, at the same time, with an insinuating + flattery. The strong currents of genuine sympathy are always struggling to + escape from the weight of this external repression. The differing impulses + of vanity, love, and patriotism, in their threefold motives of action, are + forever hurtling against each other in all hearts, leading to inextricable + confusion of thought and feeling. + </p> + <p> + What mingling emotions are concentrated in the accidental meetings of the + Mazourka! It can surround, with its own enchantment, the lightest emotion + of the heart, while, through its magic, the most reserved, transitory, and + trivial rencounter appeals to the imagination. Could it be otherwise in + the presence of the women who give to this dance that inimitable grace and + suavity, for which, in less happy countries, they struggle in vain? In + very truth are not the Sclavic women utterly incomparable? There are to be + found among them those whose qualities and virtues are so incontestable, + so absolute, that they are acknowledged by all ages, and by all countries. + Such apparitions are always and everywhere rare. The women of Poland are + generally distinguished by an originality full of fire. Parisians in their + grace and culture, Eastern dancing girls in their languid fire, they have + perhaps preserved among them, handed down from mother to daughter, the + secret of the burning love potions possessed in the seraglios. Their + charms possess the strange spell of Asiatic languor. With the flames of + spiritual and intellectual Houris in their lustrous eyes, we find the + luxurious indolence of the Sultana. Their manners caress without + emboldening; the grace of their languid movements is intoxicating; they + allure by a flexibility of form, which knows no restraint, save that of + perfect modesty, and which etiquette has never succeeded in robbing of its + willowy grace. They win upon us by those intonations of voice which touch + the heart, and fill the eye with tender tears; by those sudden and + graceful impulses which recall the spontaneity and beautiful timidity of + the gazelle. Intelligent, cultivated, comprehending every thing with + rapidity, skillful in the use of all they have acquired; they are + nevertheless as superstitious and fastidious as the lovely yet ignorant + creatures adored by the Arabian prophet. Generous, devout, loving danger + and loving love, from which they demand much, and to which they grant + little; beyond every thing they prize renown and glory. All heroism is + dear to them. Perhaps there is no one among them who would think it + possible to pay too dearly for a brilliant action; and yet, let us say it + with reverence, many of them devote to obscurity their most holy + sacrifices, their most sublime virtues. But however exemplary these quiet + virtues of the home life may be, neither the miseries of private life, nor + the secret sorrows which must prey upon souls too ardent not to be + frequently wounded, can diminish the wonderful vivacity of their emotions, + which they know how to communicate with the infallible rapidity and + certainty of an electric spark. Discreet by nature and position, they + manage the great weapon of dissimulation with incredible dexterity, + skillfully reading the souls of others with out revealing the secrets of + their own. With that strange pride which disdains to exhibit + characteristic or individual qualities, it is frequently the most noble + virtues which are thus concealed. The internal contempt they feel for + those who cannot divine them, gives them that superiority which enables + them to reign so absolutely over those whom they have enthralled, + flattered, subjugated, charmed; until the moment arrives when—loving + with the whole force of their ardent souls, they are willing to brave and + share the most bitter suffering, prison, exile, even death itself, with + the object of their love! Ever faithful, ever consoling, ever tender, ever + unchangeable in the intensity of their generous devotion! Irresistible + beings, who in fascinating and charming, yet demand an earnest and devout + esteem! In that precious incense of praise burned by M. de Balzac, "in + honor of that daughter of a foreign soil," he has thus sketched the Polish + woman in hues composed entirely of antitheses: "Angel through love, demon + through fantasy; child through faith, sage through experience; man through + the brain, woman through the heart; giant through hope, mother through + sorrow; and poet through dreams." [Footnote: Dedication of "Modeste + Mignon".] + </p> + <p> + The homage inspired by the Polish women is always fervent. They all + possess the poetic conception of an ideal, which gleams through their + intercourse like an image constantly passing before a mirror, the + comprehension and seizure of which they impose as a task. Despising the + insipid and common pleasure of merely being able to please, they demand + that the being whom they love shall be capable of exacting their esteem. + This romantic temperament sometimes retains them long in hesitation + between the world and the cloister. Indeed, there are few among them who + at some moment of their lives have not seriously and bitterly thought of + taking refuge within the walls of a convent. + </p> + <p> + Where such women reign as sovereigns, what feverish words, what hopes, + what despair, what entrancing fascinations must occur in the mazes of the + Mazourka; the Mazourka, whose every cadence vibrates in the ear of the + Polish lady as the echo of a vanished passion, or the whisper of a tender + declaration. Which among them has ever danced through a Mazourka, whose + cheeks burned not more from the excitement of emotion than from mere + physical fatigue? What unexpected and endearing ties have been formed in + the long tete-a-tete, in the very midst of crowds, with the sounds of + music, which generally recalled the name of some hero or some proud + historical remembrance attached to the words, floating around, while thus + the associations of love and heroism became forever attached to the words + and melodies! What ardent vows have been exchanged; what wild and + despairing farewells been breathed! How many brief attachments have been + linked and as suddenly unlinked, between those who had never met before, + who were never, never to meet again—and yet, to whom forgetfulness + had become forever impossible! What hopeless love may have been revealed + during the moments so rare upon this earth; when beauty is more highly + esteemed than riches, a noble bearing of more consequence than rank! What + dark destinies forever severed by the tyranny of rank and wealth may have + been, in these fleeting moments of meeting, again united, happy in the + glitter of passing triumph, reveling in concealed and unsuspected joy! + What interviews, commenced in indifference, prolonged in jest, interrupted + with emotion, renewed with the secret consciousness of mutual + understanding, (in all that concerns subtle intuition Slavic finesse and + delicacy especially excel,) have terminated in the deepest attachments! + What holy confidences have been exchanged in the spirit of that generous + frankness which circulates from unknown to unknown, when the noble are + delivered from the tyranny of forced conventionalisms! What words + deceitfully bland, what vows, what desires, what vague hopes have been + negligently thrown on the winds;—thrown as the handkerchief of the + fair dancer in the Mazourka... and which the maladroit knows not how to + pick up!... + </p> + <p> + We have before asserted that we must have known personally the women of + Poland, for the full and intuitive comprehension of the feelings with + which the Mazourkas of Chopin, as well as many more of his compositions, + are impregnated. A subtle love vapor floats like an ambient fluid around + them; we may trace step by step in his Preludes, Nocturnes Impromptus and + Mazourkas, all the phases of which passion is capable The sportive hues of + coquetry the insensible and gradual yielding of inclination, the + capricious festoons of fantasy; the sadness of sickly joys born dying, + flowers of mourning like the black roses, the very perfume of whose gloomy + leaves is depressing, and whose petals are so frail that the faintest sigh + is sufficient to detach them from the fragile stem; sudden flames without + thought, like the false shining of that decayed and dead wood which only + glitters in obscurity and crumbles at the touch; pleasures without past + and without future, snatched from accidental meetings; illusions, + inexplicable excitements tempting to adventure, like the sharp taste of + half ripened fruit which stimulates and pleases even while it sets the + teeth on edge; emotions without memory and without hope; shadowy feelings + whose chromatic tints are interminable;—are all found in these + works, endowed by genius with the innate nobility, the beauty, the + distinction, the surpassing elegance of those by whom they are + experienced. + </p> + <p> + In the compositions just mentioned, as well as in most of his Ballads, + Waltzes and Etudes, the rendering of some of the poetical subjects to + which we have just alluded, may be found embalmed. These fugitive poems + are so idealized, rendered so fragile and attenuated, that they scarcely + seem to belong to human nature, but rather to a fairy world, unveiling the + indiscreet confidences of Peris, of Titanias, of Ariels, of Queen Mabs, of + the Genii of the air, of water, and of fire,—like ourselves, subject + to bitter disappointments, to invincible disgusts. + </p> + <p> + Some of these compositions are as gay and fantastic as the wiles of an + enamored, yet mischievous sylph; some are soft, playing in undulating + light, like the hues of a salamander; some, full of the most profound + discouragement, as if the sighs of souls in pain, who could find none to + offer up the charitable prayers necessary for their deliverance, breathed + through their notes. Sometimes a despair so inconsolable is stamped upon + them, that we feel ourselves present at some Byronic tragedy, oppressed by + the anguish of a Jacopo Foscari, unable to survive the agony of exile. In + some we hear the shuddering spasms of suppressed sobs. Some of them, in + which the black keys are exclusively taken, are acute and subtle, and + remind us of the character of his own gaiety, lover of atticism as he was, + subject only to the higher emotions, recoiling from all vulgar mirth, from + coarse laughter, and from low enjoyments, as we do from those animals more + abject than venomous, whose very sight causes the most nauseating + repulsion in tender and sensitive natures. + </p> + <p> + An exceeding variety of subjects and impressions occur in the great number + of his Mazourkas. Sometimes we catch the manly sounds of the rattling of + spurs, but it is generally the almost imperceptible rustling of crape and + gauze under the light breath of the dancers, or the clinking of chains of + gold and diamonds, that maybe distinguished. Some of them seem to depict + the defiant pleasure of the ball given on the eve of battle, tortured + however by anxiety for, through the rhythm of the dance, we hear the sighs + and despairing farewells of hearts forced to suppress their tears. Others + reveal to us the discomfort and secret ennui of those guests at a fete, + who find it in vain to expect that the gay sounds will muffle the sharp + cries of anguished spirits. We sometimes catch the gasping breath of + terror and stifled fears; sometimes divine the dim presentiments of a love + destined to perpetual struggle and doomed to survive all hope, which, + though devoured by jealousy and conscious that it can never be the victor, + still disdains to curse, and takes refuge in a soul-subduing pity. In + others we feel as if borne into the heart of a whirlwind, a strange + madness; in the midst of the mystic confusion, an abrupt melody passes and + repasses, panting and palpitating, like the throbbing of a heart faint + with longing, gasping in despair, breaking in anguish, dying of hopeless, + yet indignant love. In some we hear the distant flourish of trumpets, like + fading memories of glories past, in some of them, the rhythm is as + floating, as undetermined, as shadowy, as the feeling with which two young + lovers gaze upon the first star of evening, as yet alone in the dim skies. + </p> + <p> + Upon one afternoon, when there were but three persons present, and Chopin + had been playing for a long time, one of the most distinguished women in + Paris remarked, that she felt always more and more filled with solemn + meditation, such as might be awakened in presence of the grave-stones + strewing those grounds in Turkey, whose shady recesses and bright beds of + flowers promise only a gay garden to the startled traveller. She asked him + what was the cause of the involuntary, yet sad veneration which subdued + her heart while listening to these pieces, apparently presenting only + sweet and graceful subjects:—and by what name he called the strange + emotion inclosed in his compositions, like ashes of the unknown dead in + superbly sculptured urns of the purest alabaster... Conquered by the + appealing tears which moistened the beautiful eyes, with a candor rare + indeed in this artist, so susceptible upon all that related to the secrets + of the sacred relics buried in the gorgeous shrines of his music, he + replied: "that her heart had not deceived her in the gloom which she felt + stealing upon her, for whatever might have been his transitory pleasures, + he had never been free from a feeling which might almost be said to form + the soil of his heart, and for which he could find no appropriate + expression except in his own language, no other possessing a term + equivalent to the Polish word: ZAL!" As if his ear thirsted for the sound + of this word, which expresses the whole range of emotions produced by an + intense regret, through all the shades of feeling, from hatred to + repentance, he repeated it again and again. + </p> + <p> + ZAL! Strange substantive, embracing a strange diversity, a strange + philosophy! Susceptible of different regimens, it includes all the + tenderness, all the humility of a regret borne with resignation and + without a murmur, while bowing before the fiat of necessity, the + inscrutable decrees of Providence: but, changing its character, and + assuming the regimen indirect as soon as it is addressed to man, it + signifies excitement, agitation, rancor, revolt full of reproach, + premeditated vengeance, menace never ceasing to threaten if retaliation + should ever become possible, feeding itself meanwhile with a bitter, if + sterile hatred. + </p> + <p> + ZAL! In very truth, it colors the whole of Chopin's compositions: + sometimes wrought through their elaborate tissue, like threads of dim + silver; sometimes coloring them with more passionate hues. It may be found + in his sweetest reveries; even in those which that Shakespearian genius, + Berlioz, comprehending all extremes, has so well characterized as "divine + coquetries"—coquetries only understood in semi-oriental countries; + coquetries in which men are cradled by their mothers, with which they are + tormented by their sisters, and enchanted by those they love; and which + cause the coquetries of other women to appear insipid or coarse in their + eyes; inducing them to exclaim, with an appearance of boasting, yet in + which they are entirely justified by the truth: NIEMA IAK POLKI! "Nothing + equals the Polish women!" [Footnote: The custom formerly in use of + drinking, in her own shoe, the health of the woman they loved, is one of + the most original traditions of the enthusiastic gallantry if the Poles.] + Through the secrets of these "divine coquetries" those adorable beings are + formed, who are alone capable of fulfilling the impassioned ideals of + poets who, like M. de Chateaubriand, in the feverish sleeplessness of + their adolescence, create for themselves visions "of an Eve, innocent, yet + fallen; ignorant of all, yet knowing all; mistress, yet virgin." + [Footnote: Memoires d'Outre Tombe. 1st vol. Incantation.] The only being + which was ever found to resemble this dream, was a Polish girl of + seventeen—"a mixture of the Odalisque and Valkyria... realization of + the ancient sylph—new Flora—freed from the chain of the + seasons" [Footnote: Idem. 3d vol. Atala.]—and whom M. de + Chateaubriand feared to meet again. "Divine coquetries" at once generous + and avaricious; impressing the floating, wavy, rocking, undecided motion + of a boat without rigging or oars upon the charmed and intoxicated heart! + </p> + <p> + Through his peculiar style of performance, Chopin imparted this constant + rocking with the most fascinating effect; thus making the melody undulate + to and fro, like a skiff driven on over the bosom of tossing waves. This + manner of execution, which set a seal so peculiar upon his own style of + playing, was at first indicated by the term 'tempo rubato', affixed to his + writings: a Tempo agitated, broken, interrupted, a movement flexible, yet + at the same time abrupt and languishing, and vacillating as the flame + under the fluctuating breath by which it is agitated. In his later + productions we no longer find this mark. He was convinced that if the + performer understood them, he would divine this rule of irregularity. All + his compositions should be played with this accentuated and measured + swaying and balancing. It is difficult for those who have not frequently + heard him play to catch this secret of their proper execution. He seemed + desirous of imparting this style to his numerous pupils, particularly + those of his own country. His countrymen, or rather his countrywomen, + seized it with the facility with which they understand every thing + relating to poetry or feeling; an innate, intuitive comprehension of his + meaning aided them in following all the fluctuations of his depths of + aerial and spiritual blue. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Chopin's Mode of Playing—Concerts—The Elite—Fading + Bouquets and Immortal Crowns—Hospitality—Heine—Meyerbeer—Adolphe + Nourrit—Eugene Delacroix—Niemcevicz—Mickiewicz—George + Sand.</i> + </p> + <p> + AFTER having described the compositions palpitating with emotion in which + genius struggles with grief, (grief, that terrible reality which Art must + strive to reconcile with Heaven), confronting it sometimes as conqueror, + sometimes as conquered; compositions in which all the memories of his + youth, the affections of his heart, the mysteries of his desires, the + secrets of his untold passions, are collected like tears in a + lachrymatory; compositions in which, passing the limits of human + sensations—too dull for his eager fancy, too obtuse for his keen + perceptions—he makes incursions into the realms of Dryads, Oreads, + and Oceanides;—we would naturally be expected to speak of his talent + for execution. But this task we cannot assume. We cannot command the + melancholy courage to exhume emotions linked with our fondest memories, + our dearest personal recollections; we cannot force ourselves to make the + mournful effort to color the gloomy shrouds, veiling the skill we once + loved, with the brilliant hues they would exact at our hands. We feel our + loss too bitterly to attempt such an analysis. And what result would it be + possible to attain with all our efforts! We could not hope to convey to + those who have never heard him, any just conception of that fascination so + ineffably poetic, that charm subtle and penetrating as the delicate + perfume of the vervain or the Ethiopian calla, which, shrinking and + exclusive, refuses to diffuse its exquisite aroma in the noisome breath of + crowds, whose heavy air can only retain the stronger odor of the tuberose, + the incense of burning resin. + </p> + <p> + By the purity of its handling, by its relation with LA FEE AUX MIETTES and + LES LUTINS D'ARGAIL, by its rencounters with the SERAPHINS and DIANES, who + murmur in his ear their most confidential complaints, their most secret + dreams, the style and the manner of conception of Chopin remind us of + Nodier. He knew that he did not act upon the masses, that he could not + warm the multitude, which is like a sea of lead, and as heavy to set in + motion, and which, though its waves may be melted and rendered malleable + by heat, requires the powerful arm of an athletic Cyclops to manipulate, + fuse, and pour into moulds, where the dull metal, glowing and seething + under the electric fire, becomes thought and feeling under the new form + into which it has been forced. He knew he was only perfectly appreciated + in those meetings, unfortunately too few, in which ALL his hearers were + prepared to follow him into those spheres which the ancients imagined to + be entered only through a gate of ivory, to be surrounded by pilasters of + diamond, and surmounted by a dome arched with fawn-colored crystal, upon + which played the various dyes of the prism; spheres, like the Mexican + opal, whose kaleidoscopical foci are dimmed by olive-colored mists veiling + and unveiling the inner glories; spheres, in which all is magical and + supernatural, reminding us of the marvellous worlds of realized dreams. In + such spheres Chopin delighted. He once remarked to a friend, an artist who + has since been frequently heard: "I am not suited for concert giving; the + public intimidate me; their looks, only stimulated by curiosity, paralyze + me; their strange faces oppress me; their breath stifles me: but you—you + are destined for it, for when you do not gain your public, you have the + force to assault, to overwhelm, to control, to compel them." + </p> + <p> + Conscious of how much was necessary for the comprehension of his peculiar + talent, he played but rarely in public. With the exception of some + concerts given at his debut in 1831, in Vienna and Munich, he gave no + more, except in Paris, being indeed not able to travel on account of his + health, which was so precarious, that during entire months, he would + appear to be in an almost dying state. During the only excursion which he + made with a hope that the mildness of a Southern climate would be more + conducive to his health, his condition was frequently so alarming, that + more than once the hotel keepers demanded payment for the bed and mattress + he occupied, in order to have them burned, deeming him already arrived at + that stage of consumption in which it becomes so highly contagious We + believe, however, if we may be permitted to say it, that his concerts were + less fatiguing to his physical constitution, than to his artistic + susceptibility. We think that his voluntary abnegation of popular applause + veiled an internal wound. He was perfectly aware of his own superiority; + perhaps it did not receive sufficient reverberation and echo from without + to give him the tranquil assurance that he was perfectly appreciated. No + doubt, in the absence of popular acclamation, he asked himself how far a + chosen audience, through the enthusiasm of its applause, was able to + replace the great public which he relinquished. Few understood him:—did + those few indeed understand him aright? A gnawing feeling of discontent, + of which he himself scarcely comprehended the cause, secretly undermined + him. We have seen him almost shocked by eulogy. The praise to which he was + justly entitled not reaching him EN MASSE, he looked upon isolated + commendation as almost wounding. That he felt himself not only slightly, + but badly applauded, was sufficiently evident by the polished phrases with + which, like troublesome dust, he shook such praises off, making it quite + evident that he preferred to be left undisturbed in the enjoyment of his + solitary feelings to injudicious commendation. + </p> + <p> + Too fine a connoisseur in raillery, too ingenious satirist ever to expose + himself to sarcasm, he never assumed the role of a "genius misunderstood." + With a good grace and under an apparent satisfaction, he concealed so + entirely the wound given to his just pride, that its very existence was + scarcely suspected. But not without reason, might the gradually increasing + rarity [Footnote: Sometimes he passed years without giving a single + concert. We believe the one given by him in Pleyel's room, in 1844, was + after an interval of nearly ten years] of his concerts be attributed + rather to the wish he felt to avoid occasions which did not bring him the + tribute he merited, than to physical debility. Indeed, he put his strength + to rude proofs in the many lessons which he always gave, and the many + hours he spent at his own Piano. + </p> + <p> + It is to be regretted that the indubitable advantage for the artist + resulting from the cultivation of only a select audience, should be so + sensibly diminished by the rare and cold expression of its sympathies. The + GLACE which covers the grace of the ELITE, as it does the fruit of their + desserts; the imperturbable calm of their most earnest enthusiasm, could + not be satisfactory to Chopin. The poet, torn from his solitary + inspiration, can only find it again in the interest, more than attentive, + vivid and animated of his audience. He can never hope to regain it in the + cold looks of an Areopagus assembled to judge him. He must FEEL that he + moves, that he agitates those who hear him, that his emotions find in them + the responsive sympathies of the same intuitions, that he draws them on + with him in his flight towards the infinite: as when the leader of a + winged train gives the signal of departure, he is immediately followed by + the whole flock in search of milder shores. + </p> + <p> + But had it been otherwise—had Chopin everywhere received the exalted + homage and admiration he so well deserved; had he been heard, as so many + others, by all nations and in all climates; had ho obtained those + brilliant ovations which make a Capitol every where, where the people + salute merit or honor genius had he been known and recognized by thousands + in place of the hundreds who acknowledged him—we would not pause in + this part of his career to enumerate such triumphs. + </p> + <p> + What are the dying bouquets of an hour to those whose brows claim the + laurel of immortality? Ephemeral sympathies, transitory praises, are not + to be mentioned in the presence of the august Dead, crowned with higher + glories. The joys, the consolations, the soothing emotions which the + creations of true art awaken in the weary, suffering, thirsty, or + persevering and believing hearts to whom they are dedicated, are destined + to be borne into far countries and distant years, by the sacred works of + Chopin. Thus an unbroken bond will be established between elevated + natures, enabling them to understand and appreciate each other, in + whatever part of the earth or period of time they may live. Such natures + are generally badly divined by their contemporaries when they have been + silent, often misunderstood when they have spoken the most eloquently! + </p> + <p> + "There are different crowns," says Goethe, "there are some which may be + readily gathered during a walk." Such crowns charm for the moment through + their balmy freshness, but who would think of comparing them with those so + laboriously gained by Chopin by constant and exemplary effort, by an + earnest love of art, and by his own mournful experience of the emotions + which he has so truthfully depicted? + </p> + <p> + As he sought not with a mean avidity those crowns so easily won, of which + more than one among ourselves has the modesty to be proud; as he was a + pure, generous, good and compassionate man, filled with a single + sentiment, and that one of the most noble of feelings, the love of + country; as he moved among us like a spirit consecrated by all that Poland + possesses of poetry; let us approach his sacred grave with due reverence! + Let us adorn it with no artificial wreaths! Let us cast upon it no trivial + crowns! Let us nobly elevate our thoughts before this consecrated shroud! + Let us learn from him to repulse all but the highest ambition, let us try + to concentrate our labor upon efforts which will leave more lasting + effects than the vain leading of the fashions of the passing hour. Let us + renounce the corrupt spirit of the times in which we live, with all that + is not worthy of art, all that will not endure, all that does not contain + in itself some spark of that eternal and immaterial beauty, which it is + the task of art to reveal and unveil as the condition of its own glory! + Let us remember the ancient prayer of the Dorians whose simple formula is + so full of pious poetry, asking only of their gods: "To give them the + Good, in return for the Beautiful!" In place of laboring so constantly to + attract auditors, and striving to please them at whatever sacrifice, let + us rather aim, like Chopin, to leave a celestial and immortal echo of what + we have felt, loved, and suffered! Let us learn, from his revered memory, + to demand from ourselves works which will entitle us to some true rank in + the sacred city of art! Let us not exact from the present with out regard + to the future, those light and vain wreath which are scarcely woven before + they are faded and forgotten!... + </p> + <p> + In place of such crowns, the most glorious palms which it is possible for + an artist to receive during his lifetime, have been placed in the hands of + Chopin by ILLUSTRIOUS EQUALS. An enthusiastic admiration was given him by + a public still more limited than the musical aristocracy which frequented + his concerts. This public was formed of the most distinguished names of + men, who bowed before him as the kings of different empires bend before a + monarch whom they have assembled to honor. Such men rendered to him, + individually, due homage. How could it have been otherwise in France, + where the hospitality, so truly national, discerns with such perfect taste + the rank and claims of the guests? + </p> + <p> + The most eminent minds in Paris frequently met in Chopin's saloon. Not in + reunions of fantastic periodicity, such as the dull imaginations of + ceremonious and tiresome circles have arranged, and which they have never + succeeded in realizing in accordance with their wishes, for enjoyment, + ease, enthusiasm, animation, never come at an hour fixed upon before hand. + They can be commanded less by artists than by other men, for they are all + more or less struck by some sacred malady whose paralyzing torpor they + must shake off, whose benumbing pain they must forget, to be joyous and + amused by those pyrotechnic fires which startle the bewildered guests, who + see from time to time a Roman candle, a rose-colored Bengal light, a + cascade whose waters are of fire, or a terrible, yet quite innocent + dragon! Gayety and the strength necessary to be joyous, are, unfortunately + things only accidentally to be encountered among poets and artists! It is + true some of the more privileged among them have the happy gift of + surmounting internal pain, so as to bear their burden always lightly, able + to laugh with their companions over the toils of the way, or at least + always able to preserve a gentle and calm serenity which, like a mute + pledge of hope and consolation, animates, elevates, and encourages their + associates, imparting to them, while they remain under the influence of + this placid atmosphere, a freedom of spirit which appears so much the more + vivid, the more strongly it contrasts with their habitual ennui, their + abstraction, their natural gloom, their usual indifference. + </p> + <p> + Chopin did not belong to either of the above mentioned classes; he + possessed the innate grace of a Polish welcome, by which the host is not + only bound to fulfill the common laws and duties of hospitality, but is + obliged to relinquish all thought of himself, to devote all his powers to + promote the enjoyment of his guests. It was a pleasant thing to visit him; + his visitors were always charmed; he knew how to put them at once at ease, + making them masters of every thing, and placing every thing at their + disposal. In doing the honors of his own cabin, even the simple laborer of + Sclavic race never departs from this munificence; more joyously eager in + his welcome than the Arab in his tent, he compensates for the splendor + which may be wanting in his reception by an adage which he never fails to + repeat, and which is also repealed by the grand seignior after the most + luxurious repasts served under gilded canopies: CZYM BOHAT, TYM RAD—which + is thus paraphrased for foreigners: "Deign graciously to pardon all that + is unworthy of you, it is all my humble riches which I place at your + feet." This formula [Footnote: All the Polish formulas of courtesy retain + the strong impress of the hyperbolical expressions of the Eastern + languages. The titles of "very powerful and very enlightened seigniors" + are still obligatory. The Poles, in conversation, constantly name each + other Benefactor (DOBRODZIJ). The common salutation between men, and of + men to women, is PADAM DO NOG: "I fall at your feet." The greeting of the + people possesses a character of ancient solemnity and simplicity: SLAWA + BOHU: "Glory to God."] is still pronounced with a national grace and + dignity by all masters of families who preserve the picturesque customs + which distinguished the ancient manners of Poland. + </p> + <p> + Having thus described something of the habits of hospitality common in his + country, the ease which presided over our reunions with Chopin will be + readily understood. The flow of thought, the entire freedom from + restraint, were of a character so pure that no insipidity or bitterness + ever ensued, no ill humor was ever provoked. Though he avoided society, + yet when his saloon was invaded, the kindness of his attention was + delightful; without appearing to occupy himself with any one, he succeeded + in finding for all that which was most agreeable; neglecting none, he + extended to all the most graceful courtesy. + </p> + <p> + It was not without a struggle, without a repugnance slightly misanthropic, + that Chopin could be induced to open his doors and piano, even to those + whose friendship, as respectful as faithful, gave them a claim to urge + such a request with eagerness. Without doubt more than one of us can still + remember our first improvised evening with him, in spite of his refusal, + when he lived at Chaussee d'Antin. + </p> + <p> + His apartment, invaded by surprise, was only lighted by some wax candles, + grouped round one of Pleyel's pianos, which he particularly liked for + their slightly veiled, yet silvery sonorousness, and easy touch, + permitting him to elicit tones which one might think proceeded from one of + those harmonicas of which romantic Germany has preserved the monopoly, and + which were so ingeniously constructed by its ancient masters, by the union + of crystal and water. + </p> + <p> + As the corners of the room were left in obscurity, all idea of limit was + lost, so that there seemed no boundary save the darkness of space. Some + tall piece of furniture, with its white cover, would reveal itself in the + dim light; an indistinct form, raising itself like a spectre to listen to + the sounds which had evoked it. The light, concentrated round the piano + and falling on the floor, glided on like a spreading wave until it mingled + with the broken flashes from the fire, from which orange colored plumes + rose and fell, like fitful gnomes, attracted there by mystic incantations + in their own tongue. A single portrait, that of a pianist, an admiring and + sympathetic friend, seemed invited to be the constant auditor of the ebb + and flow of tones, which sighed, moaned, murmured, broke and died upon the + instrument near which it always hung. By a strange accident, the polished + surface of the mirror only reflected so as to double it for our eyes, the + beautiful oval with silky curls which so many pencils have copied, and + which the engraver has just reproduced for all who are charmed by works of + such peculiar eloquence. + </p> + <p> + Several men, of brilliant renown, were grouped in the luminous zone + immediately around the piano: Heine, the saddest of humorists, listened + with the interest of a fellow countryman to the narrations made him by + Chopin of the mysterious country which haunted his ethereal fancy also, + and of which he too had explored the beautiful shores. At a glance, a + word, a tone, Chopin and Heine understood each other; the musician replied + to the questions murmured in his ear by the poet, giving in tones the most + surprising revelations from those unknown regions, about that "laughing + nymph" [Footnote: Heine. SALOON-CHOPIN.] of whom he demanded news: "If she + still continued to drape her silvery veil around the flowing locks of her + green hair, with a coquetry so enticing?" Familiar with the tittle-tattle + and love tales of those distant lands he asked: "If the old marine god, + with the long white beard, still pursued this mischievous naiad with his + ridiculous love?" Fully informed, too, about all the exquisite fairy + scenes to be seen DOWN THERE—DOWN THERE, he asked "if the roses + always glowed there with a flame so triumphant? if the trees at moonlight + sang always so harmoniously?" When Chopin had answered, and they had for a + long time conversed together about that aerial clime, they would remain in + gloomy silence, seized with that mal du pays from which Heine suffered + when he compared himself to that Dutch captain of the phantom ship, with + his crew eternally driven about upon the chill waves, and "sighing in vain + for the spices, the tulips, the hyacinths, the pipes of sea-foam, the + porcelain cups of Holland... 'Amsterdam! Amsterdam! when shall we again + see Amsterdam!' they cry from on board, while the tempest howls in the + cordage, beating them forever about in their watery hell." Heine adds: "I + fully understand the passion with which the unfortunate captain once + exclaimed: 'Oh if I should EVER again see Amsterdam! I would rather be + chained forever at the corner of one of its streets, than be forced to + leave it again!' Poor Van der Decken!" + </p> + <p> + Heine well knew what poor Van der Decken had suffered in his terrible and + eternal course upon the ocean, which had fastened its fangs in the wood of + his incorruptible vessel, and by an invisible anchor, whose chain he could + not break because it could never be found, held it firmly linked upon the + waves of its restless bosom. He could describe to us when he chose, the + hope, the despair, the torture of the miserable beings peopling this + unfortunate ship, for he had mounted its accursed timbers, led on and + guided by the hand of some enamored Undine, who, when the guest of her + forest of coral and palace of pearl rose more morose, more satirical, more + bitter than usual, offered for the amusement of his ill humor between the + repasts, some spectacle worthy of a lover who could create more wonders in + his dreams than her whole kingdom contained. + </p> + <p> + Heine had traveled round the poles of the earth in this imperishable + vessel; he had seen the brilliant visitor of the long nights, the aurora + borealis, mirror herself in the immense stalactites of eternal ice, + rejoicing in the play of colors alternating with each other in the varying + folds of her glowing scarf. He had visited the tropics, where the zodiacal + triangle, with its celestial light, replaces, during the short nights, the + burning rays of an oppressive sun. He had crossed the latitudes where life + becomes pain, and advanced into those in which it is a living death, + making himself familiar, on the long way, with the heavenly miracles in + the wild path of sailors who make for no port! Seated on a poop without a + helm, his eye had ranged from the two Bears majestically overhanging the + North, to the brilliant Southern Cross, through the blank Antarctic + deserts extending through the empty space of the heavens overhead, as well + as over the dreary waves below, where the despairing eye finds nothing to + contemplate in the sombre depths of a sky without a star, vainly arching + over a shoreless and bottomless sea! He had long followed the glittering + yet fleeting traces left by the meteors through the blue depths of space; + he had tracked the mystic and incalculable orbits of the comets as they + flash through their wandering paths, solitary and incomprehensible, + everywhere dreaded for their ominous splendor, yet inoffensive and + harmless. He had gazed upon the shining of that distant star, Aldebaran, + which, like the glitter and sullen glow in the eye of a vengeful enemy, + glares fiercely upon our globe, without daring to approach it. He had + watched the radiant planets shedding upon the restless eye which seeks + them a consoling and friendly light, like the weird cabala of an enigmatic + yet hopeful promise. + </p> + <p> + Heine had seen all these things, under the varying appearances which they + assume in different latitudes; he had seen much more also with which he + would entertain us under strange similitudes. He had assisted at the + furious cavalcade of "Herodiade;" he had also an entrance at the court of + the king of "Aulnes" in the gardens of the "Hesperides"; and indeed into + all those places inaccessible to mortals who have not had a fairy as + godmother, who would take upon herself the task of counterbalancing all + the evil experienced in life, by showering upon the adopted the whole + store of fairy treasures. + </p> + <p> + Upon that evening which we are now describing, Meyerbeer was seated next + to Heine;—Meyerbeer, for whom the whole catalogue of admiring + interjections has long since been exhausted! Creator of Cyclopean + harmonics as he was, he passed the time in delight when following the + detailed arabesques, which, woven in transparent gauze, wound in filmy + veils around the delicate conceptions of Chopin. + </p> + <p> + Adolphe Nourrit, a noble artist, at once ascetic and passionate, was also + there. He was a sincere, almost a devout Catholic, dreaming of the future + with the fervor of the Middle Ages, who, during the latter part of his + life, refused the assistance of his talent to any scene of merely + superficial sentiment. He served Art with a high and enthusiastic respect; + he considered it, in all its divers manifestations, only a holy + tabernacle, "the Beauty of which formed the splendor of the True." Already + undermined by a melancholy passion for the Beautiful, his brow seemed to + be turning into stone under the dominion of this haunting feeling: a + feeling always explained by the outbreak of despair, too late for remedy + from man—man, alas! so eager to explore the secrets of the heart—so + dull to divine them! + </p> + <p> + Hiller, whose talent was allied to Chopin's, and who was one of his most + intimate friends, was there also. In advance of the great compositions + which he afterwards published, of which the first was his remarkable + Oratorio, "The Destruction of Jerusalem," he wrote some pieces for the + Piano. Among these, those known under the title of Etudes, (vigorous + sketches of the most finished design), recall those studies of foliage, in + which the landscape painter gives us an entire little poem of light and + shade, with only one tree, one branch, a single "motif," happily and + boldly handled. + </p> + <p> + In the presence of the spectres which filled the air, and whose rustling + might almost be heard, Eugene Delacroix remained absorbed and silent. Was + he considering what pallet, what brushes, what canvas he must use, to + introduce them into visible life through his art? Did he task himself to + discover canvas woven by Arachne, brushes made from the long eyelashes of + the fairies, and a pallet covered with the vaporous tints of the rainbow, + in order to make such a sketch possible? Did he then smile at these + fancies, yet gladly yield to the impressions from which they sprung, + because great talent is always attracted by that power in direct contrast + to its own? + </p> + <p> + The aged Niemcevicz, who appeared to be the nearest to the grave among us, + listened to the "Historic Songs" which Chopin translated into dramatic + execution for this survivor of times long past. Under the fingers of the + Polish artist, again were heard, side by side with the descriptions, so + popular, of the Polish bard, the shock of arms, the songs of conquerors, + the hymns of triumph, the complaints of illustrious prisoners, and the + wail over dead heroes. They memorized together the long course of national + glory, of victory, of kings, of queens, of warriors; and so much life had + these phantoms, that the old man, deeming the present an illusion, + believed the olden times fully resuscitated. + </p> + <p> + Dark and silent, apart from all others, fell the motionless profile of + Mickiewicz: the Dante of the North, he seemed always to find "the salt of + the stranger bitter, and his steps hard to mount." + </p> + <p> + Buried in a fauteuil, with her arms resting upon a table, sat Madame Sand, + curiously attentive, gracefully subdued. Endowed with that rare faculty + only given to a few elect, of recognizing the Beautiful under whatever + form of nature or of art it may assume, she listened with the whole force + of her ardent genius. The faculty of instantaneously recognizing Beauty + may perhaps be the "second sight," of which all nations have acknowledged + the existence in highly gifted women. It is a kind of magical gaze which + causes the bark, the mask, the gross envelope of form, to fall off; so + that the invisible essence, the soul which is incarnated within, may be + clearly contemplated; so that the ideal which the poet or artist may have + vivified under the torrent of notes, the passionate veil of coloring, the + cold chiseling of marble, or the mysterious rhythms of strophes, may be + fully discerned. This faculty is much rarer than is generally supposed. It + is usually felt but vaguely, yet—in its highest manifestations, it + reveals itself as a "divining oracle," knowing the Past and prophesying + the Future. It is a power which exempts the blessed organization which it + illumes, from the bearing of the heavy burden of technicalities, with + which the merely scientific drag on toward that mystic region of inner + life, which the gifted attain with a single bound. It is a faculty which + springs less from an acquaintance with the sciences, than from a + familiarity with nature. + </p> + <p> + The fascination and value of a country life consist in the long + tete-a-tete with nature. The words of revelation hidden under the infinite + harmonies of form, of sounds, of lights and shadows, of tones and + warblings, of terror and delight, may best be caught in these long + solitary interviews. Such infinite variety may appear crushing or + distracting on a first view, but if faced with a courage that no mystery + can appal, if sounded with a resolution that no length of time can abate, + may give the clue to analogies, conformities, relations between our senses + and our sentiments, and aid us in tracing the hidden links which bind + apparent dissimilarities, identical oppositions and equivalent antitheses, + and teach us the secrets of the chasms separating with narrow but + impassable space, that which is destined to approach forever, yet never + mingle; to resemble ever, yet never blend. To have awakened early, as did + Madame Sand, to the dim whispering with which nature initiates her chosen + to her mystic rites, is a necessary appanage of the poet. To have learned + from her to penetrate the dreams of man when he, in his turn, creates, and + uses in his works the tones, the warblings, the terrors, the delights, + requires a still more subtle power; a power which Madame Sand possesses by + a double right, by the intuitions of her heart, and the vigor of her + genius. After having named Madame Sand, whose energetic personality and + electric genius inspired the frail and delicate organization of Chopin + with an intensity of admiration which consumed him, as a wine too + spirituous shatters the fragile vase; we cannot now call up other names + from the dim limbus of the past, in which so many indistinct images, such + doubtful sympathies, such indefinite projects and uncertain beliefs, are + forever surging and hurtling. Perhaps there is no one among us, who, in + looking through the long vista, would not meet the ghost of some feeling + whose shadowy form he would find impossible to pass! Among the varied + interests, the burning desires, the restless tendencies surging through + the epoch in which so many high hearts and brilliant intellects were + fortuitously thrown together, how few of them, alas! possessed sufficient + vitality to enable them to resist the numberless causes of death, + surrounding every idea, every feeling, as well as every individual life, + from the cradle to the grave! Even during the moments of the troubled + existence of the emotions now past, how many of them escaped that saddest + of all human judgments: "Happy, oh, happy were it dead! Far happier had it + never been born!" Among the varied feelings with which so many noble + hearts throbbed high, were there indeed many which never incurred this + fearful malediction? Like the suicide lover in Mickiewicz's poem, who + returns to life in the land of the Dead only to renew the dreadful + suffering of his earth life, perhaps among all the emotions then so + vividly felt there is not a single one which, could it again live, would + reappear without the disfigurements, the brandings, the bruises, the + mutilations, which were inflicted on its early beauty, which so deeply + sullied its primal innocence! And if we should persist in recalling these + melancholy ghosts of dead thoughts and buried feelings from the heavy + folds of the shroud, would they not actually appal us, because so few of + them possessed sufficient purity and celestial radiance to redeem them + from the shame of being utterly disowned, entirely repudiated, by those + whose bliss or torment they formed during the passionate hours of their + absolute rule? In very pity ask us not to call from the Dead, ghosts whose + resurrection would be so painful! Who could bear the sepulchral ghastly + array? Who would willingly call them from their sheeted sleep? If our + ideas, thoughts, and feelings were indeed to be suddenly aroused from the + unquiet grave in which they lie buried, and an account demanded from them + of the good and evil which they have severally produced in the hearts in + which they found so generous an asylum, and which they have confused, + overwhelmed, illumined, devastated, ruined, broken, as chance or destiny + willed,—who could hope to endure the replies that would be made to + questions so searching? + </p> + <p> + If among the group of which we have spoken, every member of which has won + the attention of many human souls, and must, in consequence, bear in his + conscience the sharp sting of multiplied responsibilities, there should be + found ONE who has not suffered aught, that was pure in the natural + attraction which bound them together in this chain of glittering links, to + fall into dull forgetfulness; one who allowed no breath of the + fermentation lingering even around the most delicate perfumes, to embitter + his memories; one who has transfigured and left to the immortality of art, + only the unblemished inheritance of all that was noblest in their + enthusiasm, all that was purest and most lasting of their joys; let us bow + before him as before one of the Elect! Let us regard him as one of those + whom the belief of the people marks as "Good Genii!" The attribution of + superior power to beings believed to be beneficent to man, has received a + sublime conformation from a great Italian poet, who defines genius as a + "stronger impress of Divinity!" Let us bow before all who are marked with + this mystic seal; but let us venerate with the deepest, truest tenderness + those who have only used their wondrous supremacy to give life and + expression to the highest and most exquisite feelings! and among the pure + and beneficent genii of earth must indubitably be ranked the artist + Chopin! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. + </h2> + <p> + <i>The Lives of Artists—Pure Fame of Chopin—Reserve—Classic + and Romantic Art-Language of the Sclaves—Chopin's Love of Home + Memories.</i> + </p> + <p> + A natural curiosity is generally felt to know something of the lives of + men who have consecrated their genius to embellish noble feelings through + works of art, through which they shine like brilliant meteors in the eyes + of the surprised and delighted crowd. The admiration and sympathy awakened + by the compositions of such men, attach immediately to their own names, + which are at once elevated as symbols of nobility and greatness, because + the world is loath to believe that those who can express high sentiments + with force, can themselves feel ignobly. The objects of this benevolent + prejudice, this favorable presumption, are expected to justify such + suppositions by the high course of life which they are required to lead. + When it is seen that the poet feels with such exquisite delicacy all that + which it is so sweet to inspire; that he divines with such rapid intuition + all that pride, timidity, or weariness struggles to hide; that he can + paint love as youth dreams it, but as riper years despair to realize it; + when such sublime situations seem to be ruled by his genius, which raises + itself so calmly above the calamities of human destiny, always finding the + leading threads by which the most complicated knots in the tangled skein + of life may be proudly and victoriously unloosed; when the secret + modulations of the most exquisite tenderness, the most heroic courage, the + most sublime simplicity, are known to be subject to his command,—it + is most natural that the inquiry should be made if this wondrous + divination springs from a sincere faith in the reality of the noble + feelings portrayed, or whether its source is to be found in an acute + perception of the intellect, an abstract comprehension of the logical + reason. + </p> + <p> + The question in what the life led by men so enamored of beauty differs + from that of the common multitude, is then earnestly asked. This high + poetic disdain,—how did it comport itself when struggling with + material interests? These ineffable emotions of ethereal love,—how + were they guarded from the bitterness of petty cares, from that rapidly + growing and corroding mould which usually stifles or poisons them? How + many of such feelings were preserved from that subtle evaporation which + robs them of their perfume, that gradually increasing inconstancy which + lulls us until we forget to call the dying emotions to account? Those who + felt such holy indignation,—were they indeed always just? Those who + exalted integrity,—were they always equitable? Those who sung of + honor,—did they never stoop? Those who so admired fortitude,—have + they never compromised with their own weakness? + </p> + <p> + A deep interest is also felt in ascertaining how those to whom the task of + sustaining our faith in the nobler sentiments through art has been + intrusted, have conducted themselves in external affairs, where pecuniary + gain is only to be acquired at the expense of delicacy, loyalty, or honor. + Many assert that the nobler feelings exist only in the works of art. When + some unfortunate occurrence seems to give a deplorable foundation to the + words of such mockers, with what avidity they name the most exquisite + conceptions of the poet, "vain phantoms!" How they plume themselves upon + their own wisdom in having advocated the politic doctrine of an astute, + yet honeyed hypocrisy; how they delight to speak of the perpetual + contradiction between words and deeds!... With what cruel joy they detail + such occurrences, and cite such examples in the presence of those unsteady + restless souls, who are incited by their youthful aspirations and by the + depression and utter loss of happy confidence which such a conviction + would entail upon them, to struggle against a distrust so blighting! When + such wavering spirits are engaged in the bitter combat with the harsh + alternatives of life, or tempted at every turn by its insinuating + seductions, what a profound discouragement seizes upon them when they are + induced to believe that the hearts devoted to the most sublime thoughts, + the most deeply initiated in the most delicate susceptibilities, the most + charmed by the beauty of innocence, have denied, by their acts, the + sincerity of their worship for the noble themes which they have sung as + poets! With what agonizing doubts are they not filled by such flagrant + contradictions! How much is their anguish increased by the jeering mockery + of those who repeat: "Poetry is only that which might have been"—and + who delight in blaspheming it by their guilty negations! Whatever may be + the human short-comings of the gifted, believe the truths they sing! + Poetry is more than the gigantic shadow of our own imagination, + immeasurably increased, and projected upon the flying plane of the + Impossible. POETRY and REALITY are not two incompatible elements, destined + to move on together without commingling. Goethe himself confesses this. In + speaking of a contemporary writer he says: "that having lived to create + poems, he had also made his life a Poem." (Er lebte dichtend, und dichtete + lebend.) Goethe was himself too true a poet not to know that Poetry only + is, because its eternal Reality throbs in the noble impulses of the human + heart. + </p> + <p> + We have once before remarked that "genius imposes its own obligations." + [Footnote: Upon Paganini, after his death.] If the examples of cold + austerity and of rigid disinterestedness are sufficient to awaken the + admiration of calm and reflective natures, whence shall more passionate + and mobile organizations, to whom the dullness of mediocrity is insipid, + who naturally seek honor or pleasure, and who are willing to purchase the + object of their desires at any price—form their models? Such + temperaments easily free themselves from the authority of their seniors. + They do not admit their competency to decide. They accuse them of wishing + to use the world only for the profit of their own dead passions, of + striving to turn all to their own advantage, of pronouncing upon the + effects of causes which they do not understand, of desiring to promulgate + laws in spheres to which nature has denied them entrance. They will not + receive answers from their lips, but turn to others to resolve their + doubts; they question those who have drunk deeply from the boiling springs + of grief, bursting from the riven clefts in the steep cliffs upon the top + of which alone the soul seeks rest and light. They pass in silence by the + still cold gravity of those who practice the good, without enthusiasm for + the beautiful. What leisure has ardent youth to interpret their gravity, + to resolve their chill problems? The throbbings of its impetuous heart are + too rapid to allow it to investigate the hidden sufferings, the mystic + combats, the solitary struggles, which may be detected even in the calm + eye of the man who practices only the good. Souls in continual agitation + seldom interpret aright the calm simplicity of the just, or the heroic + smiles of the stoic. For them enthusiasm and emotion are necessities. A + bold image persuades them, a metaphor leads them, tears convince them, + they prefer the conclusions of impulse, of intuition, to the fatigue of + logical argument. Thus they turn with an eager curiosity to the poets and + artists who have moved them by their images, allured them by their + metaphors, excited them by their enthusiasm. They demand from them the + explanation, the purpose of this enthusiasm, the secret of this beauty! + </p> + <p> + When distracted by heart-rending events, when tortured by intense + suffering, when feeling and enthusiasm seem to be but a heavy and + cumbersome load which may upset the life-boat if not thrown overboard into + the abyss of forgetfulness; who, when menaced with utter shipwreck after a + long struggle with peril, has not evoked the glorious shades of those who + have conquered, whose thoughts glow with noble ardor, to inquire from them + how far their aspirations were sincere, how long they preserved their + vitality and truth? Who has not exerted an ingenious discernment to + ascertain how much of the generous feeling depicted was only for mental + amusement, a mere speculation; how much had really become incorporated + with the habitual acts of life? Detraction is never idle in such cases; it + seizes eagerly upon the foibles, the neglect, the faults of those who have + been degraded by any weakness: alas, it omits nothing! It chases its prey, + it accumulates facts only to distort them, it arrogates to itself the + right of despising the inspiration to which it will grant no authority or + aim but to furnish amusement, denying it any claim to guide our actions, + our resolutions, our refusal, our consent! Detraction knows well how to + winnow history! Casting aside all the good grain, it carefully gathers all + the tares, to scatter the black seed over the brilliant pages in which the + purest desires of the heart, the noblest dreams of the imagination are + found; and with the irony of assumed victory, demands what the grain is + worth which only germinates dearth and famine? Of what value the vain + words, which only nourish sterile feelings? Of what use are excursions + into realms in which no real fruit can ever be gathered? of what possible + importance are emotions and enthusiasm, which always end in calculations + of interest, covering only with brilliant veil the covert struggles of + egotism and venal self-interest? + </p> + <p> + With how much arrogant derision men given to such detraction, contrast the + noble thoughts of the poet, with his unworthy acts! The high compositions + of the artist, with his guilty frivolity! What a haughty superiority they + assume over the laborious merit of the men of guileless honesty, whom they + look upon as crustacea, sheltered from temptation by the immobility of + weak organizations, as well as over the pride of those, who, believing + themselves superior to such temptations, do not, they assert, succeed even + as well as themselves in repudiating the pursuit of material well being, + the gratification of vanity, or the pleasure of immediate enjoyment! What + an easy triumph they win over the hesitation, the doubt, the repugnance of + those who would fain cling to a belief in the possibility of the union of + vivid feelings, passionate impressions, intellectual gifts, imaginative + temperaments, with high integrity, pure lives, and courses of conduct in + perfect harmony with poetic ideals! + </p> + <p> + It is therefore impossible not to feel the deepest sadness when we meet + with any fact which shows us the poet disobedient to the inspiration of + the Muses, those guardian angels of the man of genius, who would willingly + teach him to make of his own life the most beautiful of poems. What + disastrous doubts in the minds of others, what profound discouragements, + what melancholy apostasies are induced by the faltering steps of the man + of genius! And yet it would be profanity to confound his errors in the + same anathema, hurled against the base vices of meanness, the shameless + effrontery of low crime! It would be sacrilege! If the acts of the poet + have sometimes denied the spirit of his song, have not his songs still + more powerfully denied his acts? May not the limited influence of his + private actions have been far more than counterbalanced by the germs of + creative virtues, scattered profusely through his eloquent writings? Evil + is contagious, but good is truly fruitful! The poet, even while forcing + his inner convictions to give way to his personal interest, still + acknowledges and ennobles the sentiments which condemn himself; such + sentiments attain a far wider influence through his works than can be + exerted by his individual acts. Are not the number of spirits which have + been calmed, consoled, edified, through these works, far greater than the + number of those who have been injured by the errors of his private life? + Art is far more powerful than the artist. His creations have a life + independent of his vacillating will; for they are revelations of the + "immutable beauty!" More durable than himself, they pass on from + generation to generation; let us hope that they may, through the blessings + of their widely spread influence, contain a virtual power of redemption + for the frequent errors of their gifted authors. If it be indeed true that + many of those who have immortalized their sensibility and their + aspirations, by robing them in the garb of surpassing eloquence, have, + nevertheless, stifled these high aspirations, abused these quick + sensibilities,—how many have they not confirmed, strengthened and + encouraged to pursue a noble course, through the works created by their + genius! A generous indulgence towards them would be but justice! It is + hard to be forced to claim simple justice for them; unpleasant to be + constrained to defend those whom we wish to be admired, to excuse those + whom we wish to see venerated! + </p> + <p> + With what exultant feelings of just pride may the friend and artist + remember a career in which there are no jarring dissonances; no + contradictions, for which he is forced to claim indulgence; no errors, + whose source must be found in palliation of their existence; no extreme, + to be accounted for as the consequence of "excess of cause." How sweet it + is to be able to name one who has fully proved that it is not only + apathetic beings whom no fascination can attract, no illusion betray, who + are able to limit themselves within the strict routine of honored and + honorable laws, who may justly claim that elevation of soul, which no + reverse subdues, and which is never found in contradiction with its better + self! Doubly dear and doubly honored must the memory of Chopin, in this + respect, ever remain! Dear to the friends and artists who have known him + in his lifetime, dear to the unknown friends who shall learn to love him + through his poetic song, as well as to the artists who, in succeeding him, + shall find their glory in being worthy of him! + </p> + <p> + The character of Chopin, in none of its numerous folds, concealed a single + movement, a single impulse, which was not dictated by the nicest sense of + honor, the most delicate appreciation of affection. Yet no nature was ever + more formed to justify eccentricity, whims, and abrupt caprices. His + imagination was ardent, his feelings almost violent, his physical + organization weak, irritable and sickly. Who can measure the amount of + suffering arising from such contrasts? It must have been bitter, but he + never allowed it to be seen! He kept the secret of his torments, he veiled + them from all eyes under the impenetrable serenity of a haughty + resignation. + </p> + <p> + The delicacy of his heart and constitution imposed upon him the woman's + torture, that of enduring agonies never to be confessed, thus giving to + his fate some of the darker hues of feminine destiny. Excluded, by the + infirm state of his health, from the exciting arena of ordinary activity, + without any taste for the useless buzzing, in which a few bees, joined + with many wasps, expend their superfluous strength, he built apart from + all noisy and frequented routes a secluded cell for himself. Neither + adventures, embarrassments, nor episodes, mark his life, which he + succeeded in simplifying, although surrounded by circumstances which + rendered such a result difficult of attainment. His own feelings, his own + impressions, were his events; more important in his eyes than the chances + and changes of external life. He constantly gave lessons with regularity + and assiduity; domestic and daily tasks, they were given conscientiously + and satisfactorily. As the devout in prayer, so he poured out his soul in + his compositions, expressing in them those passions of the heart, those + unexpressed sorrows, to which the pious give vent in their communion with + their Maker. What they never say except upon their knees, he said in his + palpitating compositions; uttering in the language of the tones those + mysteries of passion and of grief which man has been permitted to + understand without words, because there are no words adequate for their + expression. + </p> + <p> + The care taken by Chopin to avoid the zig-zags of life, to eliminate from + it all that was useless, to prevent its crumbling into masses without + form, has deprived his own course of incident. The vague lines and + indications surrounding his figure like misty clouds, disappear under the + touch which would strive to follow or trace their outlines. He takes part + in no actions, no drama, no entanglements, no denouements. He exercised a + decisive influence upon no human being. His will never encroached upon the + desires of another, he never constrained any other spirit, or crashed it + under the domination of his own, He never tyrannized over another heart, + he never placed a conquering hand upon the destiny of another being. He + sought nothing; he would have scorned to have made any demands. Like + Tasso, he might say: + </p> + <p> + Brama assai, poco spera, e nulla chiede. In compensation, he escaped from + all ties; from the affections which might have influenced him, or led him + into more tumultuous spheres. Ready to yield all, he never gave himself. + Perhaps he knew what exclusive devotion, what love without limit he was + worthy of inspiring, of understanding, of sharing! Like other ardent and + ambitions natures, he may have thought if love and friendship are not all—they + are nothing! Perhaps it would have been more painful for him to have + accepted a part, any thing less than all, than to have relinquished all, + and thus to have remained at least faithful to his impossible Ideal! If + these things have been so or not, none ever knew, for he rarely spoke of + love or friendship. He was not exacting, like those whose high claims and + just demands exceed all that we possess to offer them. The most intimate + of his acquaintances never penetrated to that secluded fortress in which + the soul, absent from his common life, dwelt; a fortress which he so well + succeeded in concealing, that its very existence was scarcely suspected. + </p> + <p> + In his relations and intercourse with others, he always seemed occupied in + what interested them; he was cautions not to lead them from the circle of + their own personality, lest they should intrude into his. If he gave up + but little of his time to others, at least of that which he did + relinquish, he reserved none for himself. No one ever asked him to give an + account of his dreams, his wishes, or his hopes. No one seemed to wish to + know what he sighed for, what he might have conquered, if his white and + tapering fingers could have linked the brazen chords of life to the golden + ones of his enchanted lyre! No one had leisure to think of this in his + presence. His conversation was rarely upon subjects of any deep interest. + He glided lightly over all, and as he gave but little of his time, it was + easily filled with the details of the day. He was careful never to allow + himself to wander into digressions of which he himself might become the + subject. His individuality rarely excited the investigations of curiosity, + or awakened vivid scrutiny. He pleased too much to excite much reflection. + The ensemble of his person was harmonious, and called for no especial + commentary. His blue eye was more spiritual than dreamy, his bland smile + never writhed into bitterness. The transparent delicacy of his complexion + pleased the eye, his fair hair was soft and silky, his nose slightly + aquiline, his bearing so distinguished, and his manners stamped with so + much high breeding, that involuntarily he was always treated EN PRINCE. + His gestures were many and graceful; the tone of his voice was veiled, + often stifled; his stature was low, and his limbs slight. He constantly + reminded us of a convolvulus balancing its heaven-colored cup upon an + incredibly slight stem, the tissue of which is so like vapor that the + slightest contact wounds and tears the misty corolla. + </p> + <p> + His manners in society possessed that serenity of mood which distinguishes + those whom no ennui annoys, because they expect no interest. He was + generally gay, his caustic spirit caught the ridiculous rapidly and far + below the surface at which it usually strikes the eye. He displayed a rich + vein of drollery in pantomime. He often amused himself by reproducing the + musical formulas and peculiar tricks of certain virtuosi, in the most + burlesque and comic improvisations, in imitating their gestures, their + movements, in counterfeiting their faces with a talent which + instantaneously depicted their whole personality. His own features would + then become scarcely recognizable, he could force the strangest + metamorphoses upon them, but while mimicking the ugly and grotesque, he + never lost his own native grace. Grimace was never carried far enough to + disfigure him; his gayety was so much the more piquant because he always + restrained it within the limits of perfect good taste, holding at a + suspicious distance all that could wound the most fastidious delicacy. He + never made use of an inelegant word, even in the moments of the most + entire familiarity; an improper merriment, a coarse jest would have been + shocking to him. + </p> + <p> + Through a strict exclusion of all subjects relating to himself from + conversation, through a constant reserve with regard to his own feelings, + he always succeeded in leaving a happy impression behind him. People in + general like those who charm them without causing them to fear that they + will be called upon to render aught in return for the amusement given, or + that the pleasurable excitement of gayety will be followed by the sadness + of melancholy confidences the sight of mournful faces, or the inevitable + reactions which occur in susceptible natures of which we may say: Ubi mel, + ibi fel. People generally like to keep such "susceptible natures" at a + distance; they dislike to be brought into contact with their melancholy + moods, though they do not refuse a kind of respect to the mournful + feelings caused by their subtle reactions; indeed such changes possess for + them the attraction of the unknown and they are as ready to take delight + in the description of such changing caprices, as they are to avoid their + reality. The presence of Chopin was always feted. He interested himself so + vividly in all that was not himself, that his own personality remained + intact, unapproached and unapproachable, under the polished and glassy + surface upon which it was impossible to gain footing. + </p> + <p> + On some occasions, although very rarely, we have seen him deeply agitated. + We have seen him grow so pale and wan, that his appearance was actually + corpse-like. But even in moments of the most intense emotion, he remained + concentrated within himself. A single instant for self-recovery always + enabled him to veil the secret of his first impression. However full of + spontaneity his bearing afterwards might seem to be, it was + instantaneously the effect of reflection, of a will which governed the + strange conflict of emotional and moral energy with conscious physical + debility; a conflict whose strange contrasts were forever warring vividly + within. The dominion exercised over the natural violence of his character + reminds us of the melancholy force of those beings who seek their strength + in isolation and entire self-control, conscious of the uselessness of + their vivid indignation and vexation, and too jealous of the mysteries of + their passions to betray them gratuitously. + </p> + <p> + He could pardon in the most noble manner. No rancor remained in his heart + toward those who had wounded him, though such wounds penetrated deeply in + his soul, and fermented there in vague pain and internal suffering, so + that long after the exciting cause had been effaced from his memory, he + still experienced the secret torture. By dint of constant effort, in spite + of his acute and tormenting sensibilities, he subjected his feelings to + the rule rather of what ought to be, than of what is; thus he was grateful + for services proceeding rather from good intentions than from a knowledge + of what would have been agreeable to him; from friendship which wounded + him, because not aware of his acute but concealed susceptibility. + Nevertheless the wounds caused by such awkward miscomprehension are, of + all others, the most difficult for nervous temperaments to bear. Condemned + to repress their vexation, such natures are excited by degrees to a state + of constantly gnawing irritability, which they can never attribute to the + true cause. It would be a gross mistake to imagine that this irritation + existed without provocation. But as a dereliction from what appeared to + him to be the most honorable course of conduct was a temptation which he + was never called upon to resist, because in all probability it never + presented itself to him; so he never, in the presence of the more vigorous + and therefore more brusque and positive individualities than his own, + unveiled the shudder, if repulsion be too strong a term, caused by their + contact or association. + </p> + <p> + The reserve which marked his intercourse with others, extended to all + subjects to which the fanaticism of opinion can attach. His own sentiments + could only be estimated by that which he did not do in the narrow limits + of his activity. His patriotism was revealed in the course taken by his + genius, in the choice of his friends, in the preferences given to his + pupils, and in the frequent and great services which he rendered to his + compatriots; but we cannot remember that he took any pleasure in the + expression of this feeling. If he sometimes entered upon the topic of + politics, so vividly attacked, so warmly defended, so frequently discussed + in Prance, it was rather to point out what he deemed dangerous or + erroneous in the opinions advanced by others than to win attention for his + own. In constant connection with some of the most brilliant politicians of + the day, he knew how to limit the relations between them to a personal + attachment entirely independent of political interests. + </p> + <p> + Democracy presented to his view an agglomeration of elements too + heterogeneous, too restless, wielding too much savage power, to win his + sympathies. The entrance of social and political questions into the arena + of popular discussion was compared, more than twenty years ago, to a new + and bold incursion of barbarians. Chopin was peculiarly and painfully + struck by the terror which this comparison awakened. He despaired of + obtaining the safety of Rome from these modern Attilas, he feared the + destruction of art, its monuments, its refinements, its civilization; in a + word, he dreaded the loss of the elegant, cultivated if somewhat indolent + ease described by Horace. Would the graceful elegancies of life, the high + culture of the arts, indeed be safe in the rude and devastating hands of + the new barbarians? He followed at a distance the progress of events, and + an acuteness of perception, which he would scarcely have been supposed to + possess, often enabled him to predict occurrences which were not + anticipated even by the best informed. But though such observations + escaped him, he never developed them. His concise remarks attracted no + attention until time proved their truth. His good sense, full of + acuteness, had early persuaded him of the perfect vacuity of the greater + part of political orations, of theological discussions, of philosophic + digressions. He began early to practice the favorite maxim of a man of + great distinction, whom we have often heard repeat a remark dictated by + the misanthropic wisdom of age, which was then startling to our + inexperienced impetuosity, but which has since frequently struck us by its + melancholy truth: "You will be persuaded one day as I am," (said the + Marquis de Noailles to the young people whom he honored with his + attention, and who were becoming heated in some naive discussions of + differing opinions,) "that it is scarcely possible to talk about any thing + to any body." (Qu'il n'y a guere moyen de causer de quoi que ce soit, avec + qui que ce soit.) + </p> + <p> + Sincerely religious, and attached to Catholicity, Chopin never touched + upon this subject, but held his faith without attracting attention to it. + One might have been acquainted with him for a long time, without knowing + exactly what his religious opinion were. Perhaps to console his inactive + hand an reconcile it with his lute, he persuaded himself to think: Il + mondo va da se. We have frequently watched him during the progress of + long, animated, and stormy discussions, in which he would take no part. In + the excitement of the debate he was forgotten by the speakers, but we have + often neglected to follow the chain of their reasoning, to fix our + attention upon the features of Chopin, which were almost imperceptibly + contracted when subjects touching upon the most important conditions of + our existence were discussed with such eagerness and ardor, that it might + have been thought our fates were to be instantly decided by the result of + the debate. At such times, he appeared to us like a passenger on board of + a vessel, driven and tossed by tempests upon the stormful waves, thinking + of his distant country, watching the horizon, the stars, the manoeuvres of + the sailors, counting their fatal mistakes, without possessing in himself + sufficient force to seize a rope, or the energy requisite to haul in a + fluttering sail. + </p> + <p> + On one single subject he relinquished his premeditated silence, his + cherished neutrality. In the cause of art he broke through his reserve, he + never abdicated upon this topic the explicit enunciation of his opinions. + He applied himself with great perseverance to extend the limits of his + influence upon this subject. It was a tacit confession that he considered + himself legitimately possessed of the authority of a great artist. In + questions which he dignified by his competence, he never left any doubt + with regard to the nature of his opinions. During several years his + appeals were full of impassioned ardor, but later, the triumph of his + opinions having diminished the interest of his role, he sought no further + occasion to place himself as leader, as the bearer of any banner. In the + only occurrence in which he took part in the conflict of parties, he gave + proof of opinions, absolute, tenacious, and inflexible, as those which + rarely come to the light usually are. + </p> + <p> + Shortly after his arrival in Paris, in 1832, a new school was formed both + in literature and music, and youthful talent appeared, which shook off + with eclat the yoke of ancient formulas. The scarcely lulled political + effervescence of the first years of the revolution of July, passed into + questions upon art and letters, which attracted the attention and interest + of all minds. ROMANTICISM was the order of the day; they fought with + obstinacy for and against it. What truce could there be between those who + would not admit the possibility of writing in any other than the already + established manner, and those who thought that the artist should be + allowed to choose such forms as he deemed best suited for the expression + of his ideas; that the rule of form should be found in the agreement of + the chosen form with the sentiments to be expressed, every different shade + of feeling requiring of course a different mode of expression? The former + believed in the existence of a permanent form, whose perfection + represented absolute Beauty. But in admitting that the great masters had + attained the highest limits in art, had reached supreme perfection, they + left to the artists who succeeded them no other glory than the hope of + approaching these models, more or less closely, by imitation, thus + frustrating all hope of ever equalling them, because the perfecting of any + process can never rival the merit of its invention. The latter denied that + the immaterial Beautiful could have a fixed and absolute form. The + different forms which had appeared in the history of art, seemed to them + like tents spread in the interminable route of the ideal; mere momentary + halting places which genius attains from epoch to epoch, and beyond which + the inheritors of the past should strive to advance. The former wished to + restrict the creations of times and natures the most dissimilar, within + the limits of the same symmetrical frame; the latter claimed for all + writers the liberty of creating their own mode, accepting no other rules + than those which result from the direct relation of sentiment and form, + exacting only that the form should be adequate to the expression of the + sentiment. However admirable the existing models might be, they did not + appear to them to have exhausted all the range of sentiments upon which + art might seize, or all the forms which it might advantageously use. Not + contented with the mere excellence of form, they sought it so far only as + its perfection is indispensable for the complete revelation of the idea, + for they were not ignorant that the sentiment is maimed if the form remain + imperfect, any imperfection in it, like an opaque veil, intercepting the + raying of the pure idea. Thus they elevated what had otherwise been the + mere work of the trade, into the sphere of poetic inspiration. They + enjoined upon genius and patience the task of inventing a form which would + satisfy the exactions of the inspiration. They reproached their + adversaries with attempting to reduce inspiration to the bed of + Procrustes, because they refused to admit that there are sentiments which + cannot be expressed in forms which have been determined upon beforehand, + and of thus robbing art, in advance even of their creation, of all works + which might attempt the introduction of newly awakened ideas, newly clad + in new forms; forms and ideas both naturally arising from the naturally + progressive development of the human spirit, the improvement of the + instruments, and the consequent increase of the material resources of art. + </p> + <p> + Those who saw the flames of Genius devour the old worm-eaten crumbling + skeletons, attached themselves to the musical school of which the most + gifted, the most brilliant, the most daring representative, was Berlioz. + Chopin joined this school. He persisted most strenuously in freeing + himself from the servile formulas of conventional style, while he + earnestly repudiated the charlatanism which sought to replace the old + abuses only by the introduction of new ones. + </p> + <p> + During the years which this campaign of Romanticism lasted, in which some + of the trial blows were master-strokes, Chopin remained invariable in his + predilections, as well as in his repulsions. He did not admit the least + compromise with those who, in his opinion, did not sufficiently represent + progress, and who, in their refusal to relinquish the desire of displaying + art for the profit of the trade, in their pursuit of transitory effects, + of success won only from the astonishment of the audience, gave no proof + of sincere devotion to progress. He broke the ties which he had contracted + with respect when he felt restricted by them, or bound too closely to the + shore by cordage which he knew to be decayed. He obstinately refused, on + the other hand, to form ties with the young artists whose success, which + he deemed exaggerated, elevated a certain kind of merit too highly. He + never gave the least praise to any thing which he did not believe to be a + real conquest for art, or which did not evince a serious conception of the + task of an artist. He did not wish to be lauded by any party, to be aided + by the manoeuvres of any faction, or by the concessions made by any + schools in the persons of their chiefs. In the midst of jealousies, + encroachments, forfeitures, and invasions of the different branches of + art, negotiations, treaties, and contracts have been introduced, like the + means and appliances of diplomacy, with all the artifices inseparable from + such a course. In refusing the support of any accessory aid for his + productions, he proved that he confidently believed that their own beauty + would ensure their appreciation, and that he did not struggle to + facilitate their immediate reception. + </p> + <p> + He supported our struggles, at that time so full of uncertainty, when we + met more sages shaking their heads, than glorious adversaries, with his + calm and unalterable conviction. He aided us with opinions so fixed that + neither weariness nor artifice could shake them, with a rare immutability + of will, and that efficacious assistance which the creation of meritorious + works always brings to a struggling cause, when it can claim them as its + own. He mingled so many charms, so much moderation, so much knowledge with + his daring innovations, that the prompt admiration he inspired fully + justified the confidence he placed in his own genius. The solid studies + which he had made, the reflective habits of his youth, the worship for + classic models in which he had been educated, preserved him from losing + his strength in blind gropings, in doubtful triumphs, as has happened to + more than one partisan of the new ideas. His studious patience in the + elaboration of his works sheltered him from the critics, who envenomed the + dissensions by seizing upon those easy and insignificant victories due to + omissions, and the negligence of inadvertence. Early trained to the + exactions and restrictions of rules, having produced compositions filled + with beauty when subjected to all their fetters, he never shook them off + without an appropriate cause and after due reflection. In virtue of his + principles he always progressed, but without being led into exaggeration + or lured by compromise; he willingly relinquished theoretic formulas to + pursue their results. Less occupied with the disputes of the schools and + their terms, than in producing himself the best argument, a finished work, + he was fortunate enough to avoid personal enmities and vexatious + accommodations. + </p> + <p> + Chopin had that reverential worship for art which characterized the first + masters of the middle ages, but in expression and bearing he was more + simple, modern, and less ecstatic. As for them, so art was for him, a high + and holy vocation. Like them he was proud of his election for it, and + honored it with devout piety. This feeling was revealed at the hour of his + death through an occurrence, the significance of which is more fully + explained by a knowledge of the manners prevalent in Poland. By a custom + which still exists, although it is now falling into disuse, the Poles + often chose the garments in which they wished to be buried, and which were + frequently prepared a long time in advance. [Footnote: General K——, + the author of Julie and Adolphe, a romance imitated from the New Heloise + which was much in vogue at the time of its publication, and who was still + living in Volhynia at the date of our visit to Poland, though more than + eighty years of age, in conformity with the custom spoken of above, had + caused his coffin to be made, and for more than thirty years it had always + stood at the door of his chamber.] Their dearest wishes were thus + expressed for the last time, their inmost feelings were thus at the hour + of death betrayed. Monastic robes were frequently chosen by worldly men, + the costumes of official charges were selected or refused as the + remembrances connected with them were glorious or painful. Chopin, who, + although among the first of contemporary artists, had given the fewest + concerts, wished, notwithstanding, to be borne to the grave in the clothes + which he had worn on such occasions. A natural and profound feeling + springing from the inexhaustible sources of art, without doubt dictated + this dying request, when having scrupulously fulfilled the last duties of + a Christian, he left all of earth which he could not bear with him to the + skies. He had linked his love for art and his faith in it with immortality + long before the approach of death, and as he robed himself for his long + sleep in the grave, he gave, as was customary with him, by a mute symbol, + the last touching proof of the conviction he had preserved intact during + the whole course of his life. Faithful to himself, he died adoring art in + its mystic greatness, its highest revelations. + </p> + <p> + In retiring from the turmoil of society, Chopin concentrated his cares and + affections upon the circle of his own family and his early acquaintances. + Without any interruption he preserved close relations with them; never + ceasing to keep them up with the greatest care. His sister Louise was + especially dear to him, a resemblance in the character of their minds, the + bent of their feelings, bound them closely to each other. Louise + frequently came from Warsaw to Paris to see him. She spent the last three + months of his life with the brother she loved, watching over him with + undying affection. Chopin kept up a regular correspondence with the + members of his own family, but only with them. It was one of his + peculiarities to write letters to no others; it might almost have been + thought that he had made a vow to write to no strangers. It was curious + enough to see him resort to all kinds of expedients to escape the + necessity of tracing the most insignificant note. Many times he has + traversed Paris from one end to the other, to decline an invitation to + dinner, or to give some trivial information, rather than write a few lines + which would have spared him all this trouble and loss of time. His + handwriting was quite unknown to the greatest number of his friends. It is + said he sometimes departed from this custom in favor of his beautiful + countrywomen, some of whom possess several of his notes written in Polish. + This infraction of what seemed to be a law with him, may be attributed to + the pleasure he took in the use of this language. He always used it with + the people of his own country, and loved to translate its most expressive + phrases. He was a good French scholar, as the Sclaves generally are. In + consequence of his French origin, the language had been taught him with + peculiar care. But he did not like it, he did not think it sufficiently + sonorous, and he deemed its genius cold. This opinion is very prevalent + among the Poles, who, although speaking it with great facility, often + better than their native tongue, and frequently using it in their + intercourse with each other, yet complain to those who do not speak Polish + of the impossibility of rendering the thousand ethereal and shifting modes + of thought in any other idiom. In their opinion it is sometimes dignity, + sometimes grace, sometimes passion, which is wanting in the French + language. If they are asked the meaning of a word or a phrase which they + may have cited in Polish, the reply invariably is: "Oh, that cannot be + translated!" Then follow explanations, serving as comments to the + exclamation, of all the subtleties, all the shades of meaning, all the + delicacies contained in THE NOT TO BE TRANSLATED words. We have cited some + examples which, joined to others, induce us to believe that this language + has the advantage of making images of abstract nouns, and that in the + course of its development, through the poetic genius of the nation, it has + been enabled to establish striking and just relations between ideas by + etymologies, derivations, and synonymes. Colored reflections of light and + shade are thus thrown upon all expressions, so that they necessarily call + into vibration through the mind the correspondent tone of a third, which + modulates the thought into a major or minor mode. The richness of the + language always permits the choice of the mode, but this very richness may + become a difficulty. It is not impossible that the general use of foreign + tongues in Poland may be attributed to indolence of mind or want of + application; may be traced to a desire to escape the necessary labor of + acquiring that mastery of diction indispensable in a language so full of + sudden depths, of laconic energy, that it is very difficult, if not quite + impossible, to support in it the commonplace. The vague agreements of + badly defined ideas cannot be compressed in the nervous strength of its + grammatical forms; the thought, if it be really low, cannot be elevated + from its debasement or poverty; if it really soar above the commonplace, + it requires a rare precision of terms not to appear uncouth or fantastic. + In consequence of this, in proportion to the works published, the Polish + literature should be able to show a greater number of chefs-d'oeuvre than + can be done in any other language. He who ventures to use this tongue, + must feel himself already master. + </p> + <p> + [Footnote: It cannot be reproached with a want of harmony or musical + charm. The harshness of a language does not always and absolutely depend + upon the number of consonants, but rather upon the manner of their + association. We might even assert, that in consequence of the absence of + well-determined and strongly marked sounds, some languages have a dull and + cold coloring. It is the frequent repetition of certain consonants which + gives shadow, rhythm, and vigor to a tongue; the vowels imparting only a + kind of light clear hue, which requires to be brought out by deeper + shades. It is the sharp, uncouth, or unharmonious clashing of + heterogeneous consonants which strikes the ear painfully. It is true the + Sclavic languages make use of many consonants, but their connection is + generally sonorous, sometimes pleasant to the ear, and scarcely ever + entirely discordant, even when the combinations are more striking than + agreeable. The quality of the sounds is rich, full, and varied. They are + not straitened and contracted as if produced in a narrow medium, but + extending through a considerable register, range through a variety of + intonations. The letter L, almost impossible for those to pronounce, who + have not acquired the pronunciation in their infancy, has nothing harsh in + its sound. The ear receives from it an impression similar to that which is + made upon the fingers by the touch of a thick woolen velvet, rough, but at + the same time, yielding. The union of jarring consonants being rare, and + the assonances easily multiplied, the same comparison might be employed to + the ensemble of the effect produced by these idioms upon foreigners. Many + words occur in Polish which imitate the sound of the thing designated by + them. The frequent repetition of CH, (h aspirated,) of SZ, (CH in French,) + of RZ, of CZ, so frightful to a profane eye, have however nothing barbaric + in their sounds, being pronounced nearly like GEAI, and TCHE, and greatly + facilitate imitations of the sense by the sound. The word DZWIEK, (read + DZWIINQUE,) meaning sound, offers a characteristic example of this; it + would be difficult to find a word which would reproduce more accurately + the sensation which a diapason makes upon the ear. Among the consonants + accumulated in groups, producing very different sounds, sometimes + metallic, sometimes buzzing, hissing or rumbling, many diphthongs and + vowels are mingled, which sometimes become slightly nasal, the A and E + being sounded as ON and IN, (in French,) when they are accompanied by a + cedilla. In juxtaposition with the E, (TSE,) which is pronounced with + great softness, sometimes C, (TSIE,) the accented S is almost warbled. The + Z has three sounds: the Z, (JAIS,) the Z, (ZED,) and the Z, (ZIED). The Y + forms a vowel of a muffled tone, which, as the L, cannot be represented by + any equivalent sound in French, and which like it gives a variety of + ineffable shades to the language. These fine and light elements enable the + Polish women to assume a lingering and singing accent, which they usually + transport into other tongues. When the subjects are serious or melancholy, + after such recitatives or improvised lamentations, they have a sort of + lisping infantile manner of speaking, which they vary by light silvery + laughs, little interjectional cries, short musical pauses upon the higher + notes, from which they descend by one knows not what chromatic scale of + demi and quarter tones to rest upon some low note; and again pursue the + varied, brusque and original modulations which astonish the ear not + accustomed to such lovely warblings, to which they sometimes give that air + of caressing irony, of cunning mockery, peculiar to the song of some + birds. They love to ZINZILYLER, and charming changes, piquant intervals, + unexpected cadences naturally find place in this fondling prattle, making + the language far more sweet and caressing when spoken by the women, than + it is in the mouths of the men. The men indeed pride themselves upon + speaking it with elegance, impressing upon it a masculine sonorousness, + which is peculiarly adapted to the energetic movements of manly eloquence, + formerly so much cultivated in Poland. Poetry commands such a diversity of + prosodies, of rhymes, of rhythms, such an abundance of assonances from + these rich and varied materials, that it is almost possible to follow + MUSICALLY the feelings and scenes which it depicts, not only in mere + expressions in which the sound repeats the sense, but also in long + declamations. The analogy between the Polish and Russian, has been + compared to that which obtains between the Latin and Italian. The Russian + language is indeed more mellifluous, more lingering, more caressing, + fuller of sighs than the Polish. Its cadencing is peculiarly fitted for + song. The finer poems, such as those of Zukowski and Pouchkin, seem to + contain a melody already designated in the metre of the verses; for + example, it would appear quite possible to detach an ARIOSO or a sweet + CANTIABLE from some of the stanzas of LE CHALE NOIR, or the TALISMAN. The + ancient Sclavonic, which is the language of the Eastern Church, possesses + great majesty. More guttural than the idioms which have arisen from it, it + is severe and monotonous yet of great dignity, like the Byzantine + paintings preserved in the worship to which it is consecrated. It has + throughout the characteristics of a sacred language which has only been + used for the expression of one feeling and has never been modulated or + fashioned by profane wants.] + </p> + <p> + Chopin mingled a charming grace with all the intercourse which he held + with his relatives. Not satisfied with limiting his whole correspondence + to them alone, he profited by his stay in Paris to procure for them the + thousand agreeable surprises given by the novelties, the bagatelles, the + little gifts which charm through their beauty, or attract as being the + first seen of their kind. He sought for all that he had reason to believe + would please his friends in Warsaw, adding constant presents to his many + letters. It was his wish that his gifts should be preserved, that through + the memories linked with them he might be often remembered by those to + whom they were sent. He attached the greatest importance, on his side, to + all the evidences of their affection for him. To receive news or some mark + of their remembrance, was always a festival for him. He never shared this + pleasure with any one, but it was plainly visible in his conduct. He took + the greatest care of every thing that came from his distant friends, the + least of their gifts was precious to him, he never allowed others to make + use of them, indeed he was visibly uneasy if they touched them. + </p> + <p> + Material elegance was as natural to him as mental; this was evinced in the + objects with which he surrounded himself, as well as in the aristocratic + grace of his manners. He was passionately fond of flowers. Without aiming + at the brilliant luxury with which, at that epoch, some of the celebrities + in Paris decorated their apartments, he knew how to keep upon this point, + as well as in his style of dress, the instinctive line of perfect + propriety. + </p> + <p> + Not wishing the course of his life, his thoughts, his time, to be + associated or shackled in any way by the pursuits of others, he preferred + the society of ladies, as less apt to force him into subsequent relations. + He willingly spent whole evenings in playing blind man's buff with the + young people, telling them little stories to make them break into the + silvery laughs of youth, sweeter than the song of the nightingale. He was + fond of a life in the country, or the life of the chateau. He was + ingenious in varying its amusements, in multiplying its enjoyments. He + also loved to compose there. Many of his best works written in such + moments, perhaps embalm and hallow the memories of his happiest days. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Birth and Early Life of Chopin—National Artists—Chopin + embodies in himself the poetic sense of his whole nation—Opinion of + Beethoven.</i> + </p> + <p> + CHOPIN was born in 1810, at Zelazowa-Wola, near Warsaw. Unlike most other + children, he could not, during his childhood, remember his own age, and + the date of his birth was only fixed in his memory by a watch given him in + 1820 by Madame Catalani, which bore the following inscription: "Madame + Catalani to Frederic Chopin, aged ten years." Perhaps the presentiments of + the artist gave to the child a foresight of his future! Nothing + extraordinary marked the course of his boyhood; his internal development + traversed but few phases, and gave but few manifestations. As he was + fragile and sickly, the attention of his family was concentrated upon his + health. Doubtless it was from this cause that he acquired his habits of + affability, his patience under suffering, his endurance of every annoyance + with a good grace; qualities which he early acquired from his wish to calm + the constant anxiety that was felt with regard to him. No precocity of his + faculties, no precursory sign of remarkable development, revealed, in his + early years, his future superiority of soul, mind, or capacity. The little + creature was seen suffering indeed, but always trying to smile, patient + and apparently happy and his friends were so glad that he did not become + moody or morose, that they were satisfied to cherish his good qualities, + believing that he opened his heart to them without reserve, and gave to + them all his secret thoughts. + </p> + <p> + But there are souls among us who resemble rich travelers thrown among + simple herdsmen, loading them with gifts during their sojourn among them, + truly not at all in proportion to their own wealth, yet which are quite + sufficient to astonish the poor hosts, and to spread riches and happiness + in the midst of such simple habits. It is true that such souls give as + much affection, it may be more, than those who surround them; every body + is pleased with them, they are supposed to have been generous, when the + truth is that in comparison with their boundless wealth they have not been + liberal, and have given but little of their store of internal treasure. + </p> + <p> + The habits in which Chopin grew up, in which he was rocked as in a + form-strengthening cradle, were those peculiar to calm, occupied, and + tranquil characters. These early examples of simplicity, piety, and + integrity, always remained the nearest and dearest to him. Domestic + virtues, religious habits, pious charities, and rigid modesty, surrounded + him from his infancy with that pure atmosphere in which his rich + imagination assumed the velvety tenderness characterizing the plants which + have never been exposed to the dust of the beaten highways. + </p> + <p> + He commenced the study of music at an early age, being but nine years old + when he began to learn it. Shortly after he was confided to a passionate + disciple of Sebastian Bach, Ziwna, who directed his studies during many + years in accordance with the most classic models. It is not to be supposed + that when he embraced the career of a musician, any prestige of vain + glory, any fantastic perspective, dazzled his eyes, or excited the hopes + of his family. In order to become a skillful and able master, he studied + seriously and conscientiously, without dreaming of the greater or less + amount of fame he would be able to obtain as the fruit of his lessons and + assiduous labors. + </p> + <p> + In consequence of the generous and discriminating protection always + granted by Prince Antoine Radziwill to the arts, and to genius, which he + had the power of recognizing both as a man of intellect and as a + distinguished artist; Chopin was early placed in one of the first colleges + in Warsaw. Prince Radziwill did not cultivate music only as a simple + dilettante, he was also a remarkable composer. His beautiful rendering of + Faust, published some years ago, and executed at fixed epochs by the + Academy of Song at Berlin, appears to us far superior to any other + attempts which have been made to transport it into the realm of music, by + its close internal appropriateness to the peculiar genius of the poem. + Assisting the limited means of the family of Chopin, the Prince made him + the inestimable gift of a finished education, of which no part had been + neglected. Through the person of a friend, M. Antoine Korzuchowski, whose + own elevated mind enabled him to understand the requirements of an + artistic career, the Prince always paid his pension from his first + entrance into college, until the completion of his studies. From this time + until the death of Chopin, M. Antoine Korzuchowski always held the closest + relations of friendship with him. + </p> + <p> + In speaking of this period of his life, it gives us pleasure to quote the + charming lines which may be applied to him more justly, than other pages + in which his character is believed to have been traced, but in which we + only find it distorted, and in such false proportions as are given in a + profile drawn upon an elastic tissue, which has been pulled athwart, + biased by contrary movements during the whole progress of the sketch. + [Footnote: These extracts, with many that succeed them, in which the + character of Chopin is described, are taken from Lucrezia Floriani, a + novel by Madame Sand, in which the leading characters are said to be + intended to represent Liszt, Chopin, and herself.—Note of the + Translator.] + </p> + <p> + "Gentle, sensitive, and very lovely, at fifteen years of age he united the + charms of adolescence with the gravity of a more mature age. He was + delicate both in body and in mind. Through the want of muscular + development he retained a peculiar beauty, an exceptional physiognomy, + which had, if we may venture so to speak, neither age nor sex. It was not + the bold and masculine air of a descendant of a race of Magnates, who knew + nothing but drinking, hunting and making war; neither was it the + effeminate loveliness of a cherub couleur de rose. It was more like the + ideal creations with which the poetry of the middle ages adorned the + Christian temples: a beautiful angel, with a form pure and slight as a + young god of Olympus, with a face like that of a majestic woman filled + with a divine sorrow, and as the crown of all, an expression at the same + time tender and severe, chaste and impassioned. + </p> + <p> + "This expression revealed the depths of his being. Nothing could be purer, + more exalted than his thoughts; nothing more tenacious, more exclusive, + more intensely devoted, than his affections.... But he could only + understand that which closely resembled himself.... Every thing else only + existed for him as a kind of annoying dream, which he tried to shake off + while living with the rest of the world. Always plunged in reveries, + realities displeased him. As a child he could never touch a sharp + instrument without injuring himself with it; as a man, he never found + himself face to face with a being different from himself without being + wounded by the living contradiction... + </p> + <p> + "He was preserved from constant antagonism by a voluntary and almost + inveterate habit of never seeing or hearing any thing which was + disagreeable to him, unless it touched upon his personal affections. The + beings who did not think as he did, were only phantoms in his eyes. As his + manners were polished and graceful, it was easy to mistake his cold + disdain on insurmountable aversion for benevolent courtesy... + </p> + <p> + "He never spent an hour in open-hearted expansiveness, without + compensating for it by a season of reserve. The moral causes which induced + such reserve were too slight, too subtle, to be discovered by the naked + eye. It was necessary to use the microscope to read his soul, into which + so little of the light of the living ever penetrated.... + </p> + <p> + "With such a character, it seems strange he should have had friends: yet + he had them, not only the friends of his mother who esteemed him as the + noble son of a noble mother, but friends of his own age, who loved him + ardently, and who were loved by him in return.... He had formed a high + ideal of friendship; in the age of early illusions he loved to think that + his friends and himself, brought up nearly in the same manner, with the + same principles, would never change their opinions, and that no formal + disagreement could ever occur between them.... + </p> + <p> + "He was externally so affectionate, his education had been so finished, + and he possessed so much natural grace, that he had the gift of pleasing + even where he was not personally known. His exceeding loveliness was + immediately prepossessing, the delicacy of his constitution rendered him + interesting in the eyes of women, the full yet graceful cultivation of his + mind, the sweet and captivating originality of his conversation, gained + for him the attention of the most enlightened men. Men less highly + cultivated, liked him for his exquisite courtesy of manner. They were so + much the more pleased with this, because, in their simplicity, they never + imagined it was the graceful fulfillment of a duty into which no real + sympathy entered. + </p> + <p> + "Could such people have divined the secrets of his mystic character, they + would have said he was more amiable than loving—and with respect to + them, this would have been true. But how could they have known that his + real, though rare attachments, were so vivid, so profound, so undying?... + </p> + <p> + "Association with him in the details of life was delightful. He filled all + the forms of friendship with an unaccustomed charm, and when he expressed + his gratitude, it was with that deep emotion which recompenses kindness + with usury. He willingly imagined that he felt himself every day dying; he + accepted the cares of a friend, hiding from him, lest it should render him + unhappy, the little time he expected to profit by them. He possessed great + physical courage, and if he did not accept with the heroic recklessness of + youth the idea of approaching death, at least he cherished the expectation + of it with a kind of bitter pleasure."... + </p> + <p> + The attachment which he felt for a young lady, who never ceased to feel a + reverential homage for him, may be traced back to his early youth. The + tempest which in one of its sudden gusts tore Chopin from his native soil, + like a bird dreamy and abstracted surprised by the storm upon the branches + of a foreign tree, sundered the ties of this first love, and robbed the + exile of a faithful and devoted wife, as well as disinherited him of a + country. He never found the realization of that happiness of which he had + once dreamed with her, though he won the glory of which perhaps he had + never thought. Like the Madonnas of Luini whose looks are so full of + earnest tenderness, this young girl was sweet and beautiful. She lived on + calm, but sad. No doubt the sadness increased in that pure soul when she + knew that no devotion tender as her own, ever came to sweeten the + existence of one whom she had adored with that ingenuous submission, that + exclusive devotion, that entire self-forgetfulness, naive and sublime, + which transform the woman into the angel. + </p> + <p> + Those who are gifted by nature with the beautiful, yet fatal energies of + genius, and who are consequently forbidden to sacrifice the care of their + glory to the exactions of their love, are probably right in fixing limits + to the abnegation of their own personality. But the divine emotions due to + absolute devotion, may be regretted even in the presence of the most + sparkling endowments of genius. The utter submission, the + disinterestedness of love, in absorbing the existence, the will, the very + name of the woman in that of the man she loves, can alone authorize him in + believing that he has really shared his life with her, and that his + honorable love for her has given her that which no chance lover, + accidentally met, could have rendered her: peace of heart and the honor of + his name. + </p> + <p> + This young Polish lady, unfortunately separated from Chopin, remained + faithful to his memory, to all that was left of him. She devoted herself + to his parents. The father of Chopin would never suffer the portrait which + she had drawn of him in the days of hope, to be replaced by another, + though from the hands of a far more skilful artist. We saw the pale cheeks + of this melancholy woman, glow like alabaster when a light shines through + its snow, many years afterwards, when in gazing upon this picture, she met + the eyes of his father. + </p> + <p> + The amiable character of Chopin won for him while at college the love of + his fellow collegiates, particularly that of Prince Czetwertynski and his + brothers. He often spent the vacations and days of festival with them at + the house of their mother, the Princess Louise Czetwertynska, who + cultivated music with a true feeling for its beauties, and who soon + discovered the poet in the musician. Perhaps she was the first who made + Chopin feel the charm of being understood, as well as heard. The Princess + was still beautiful, and possessed a sympathetic soul united to many high + qualities. Her saloon was one of the most brilliant and RECHERCHE in + Warsaw. Chopin often met there the most distinguished women of the city. + He became acquainted there with those fascinating beauties who had + acquired a European celebrity, when Warsaw was so famed for the + brilliancy, elegance, and grace of its society. He was introduced by the + Princess Czetwertynska to the Princess of Lowicz; by her he was presented + to the Countess Zamoyska; to the Princess Radziwill; to the Princess + Jablonowska; enchantresses, surrounded by many beauties little less + illustrious. + </p> + <p> + While still very young, he has often cadenced their steps to the chords of + his piano. In these meetings, which might almost be called assemblies of + fairies, he may often have discovered, unveiled in the excitement of the + dance, the secrets of enthusiastic and tender souls. He could easily read + the hearts which were attracted to him by friendship and the grace of his + youth, and thus was enabled early to learn of what a strange mixture of + leaven and cream of roses, of gunpowder and tears of angels, the poetic + Ideal of his nation is formed. When his wandering fingers ran over the + keys, suddenly touching some moving chords, he could see how the furtive + tears coursed down the cheeks of the loving girl, or the young neglected + wife; how they moistened the eyes of the young men, enamored of, and eager + for glory. Can we not fancy some young beauty asking him to play a simple + prelude, then softened by the tones, leaning her rounded arm upon the + instrument to support her dreaming head, while she suffered the young + artist to divine in the dewy glitter of the lustrous eyes, the song sung + by her youthful heart? Did not groups, like sportive nymphs, throng around + him, and begging him for some waltz of giddying rapidity, smile upon him + with such wildering joyousness, as to put him immediately in unison with + the gay spirit of the dance? He saw there the chaste grace of his + brilliant countrywomen displayed in the Mazourka, and the memories of + their witching fascination, their winning reserve, were never effaced from + his soul. + </p> + <p> + In an apparently careless manner, but with that involuntary and subdued + emotion which accompanies the remembrance of our early delights, he would + sometimes remark that he first understood the whole meaning of the feeling + which is contained in the melodies and rhythms of national dances, upon + the days in which he saw these exquisite fairies at some magic fete, + adorned with that brilliant coquetry which sparkles like electric fire, + and flashing from heart to heart, heightens love, blinds it, or robs it of + all hope. And when the muslins of India, which the Greeks would have said + were woven of air, were replaced by the heavier folds of Venetian velvet, + and the perfumed roses and sculptured petals of the hot-house camellias + gave way to the gorgeous bouquets of the jewel caskets; it often seemed to + him that however good the orchestra might be, the dancers glided less + rapidly over the floor, that their laugh was less sonorous, their eye less + luminous, than upon those evenings in which the dance had been suddenly + improvised, because he had succeeded in electrifying his audience through + the magic of his performance. If he electrified them, it was because he + repeated, truly in hieroglyphic tones, but yet easily understood by the + initiated, the secret whispers which his delicate ear had caught from the + reserved yet impassioned hearts, which indeed resemble the Fraxinella, + that plant so full of burning and vivid life, that its flowers are always + surrounded by a gas as subtle as inflammable. He had seen celestial + visions glitter, and illusory phantoms fade in this sublimated air; he had + divined the meaning of the swarms of passions which are forever buzzing in + it; he knew how these hurtling emotions fluttered through the reckless + human soul; how, notwithstanding their ceaseless agitation and excitement, + they could intermingle, interweave, intercept each other, without once + disturbing the exquisite proportions of external grace, the imposing and + classic charm of manner. It was thus that he learned to prize so highly + the noble and measured manners which preserve delicacy from insipidity; + petty cares from wearisome trifling; conventionalism from tyranny; good + taste from coldness; and which never permit the passions to resemble, as + is often the case where such careful culture does not rule, those stony + and calcareous vegetables whose hard and brittle growth takes a name of + such sad contrast: flowers of iron (FLOS FERRI). + </p> + <p> + His early introduction into this society, in which regularity of form did + not conceal petrifaction of heart, induced Chopin to think that the + CONVENANCES and courtesies of manner, in place of being only a uniform + mask, repressing the character of each individual under the symmetry of + the same lines, rather serve to contain the passions without stifling + them, coloring only that bald crudity of tone which is so injurious to + their beauty, elevating that materialism which debases them, robbing them + of that license which vulgarizes them, lowering that vehemence which + vitiates them, pruning that exuberance which exhausts them, teaching the + "lovers of the ideal" to unite the virtues which have sprung from a + knowledge of evil, with those "which cause its very existence to be + forgotten in speaking to those they love." As these visions of his youth + deepened in the long perspective of memories, they gained in grace, in + charm, in delight, in his eyes, fascinating him to such an extent that no + reality could destroy their secret power over his imagination, rendering + his repugnance more and more unconquerable to that license of allurement, + that brutal tyranny of caprice, that eagerness to drink the cup of fantasy + to the very dregs, that stormy pursuit of all the changes and + incongruities of life, which rule in the strange mode of life known as LA + BOHEME. + </p> + <p> + More than once in the history of art and literature, a poet has arisen, + embodying in himself the poetic sense of a whole nation, an entire epoch, + representing the types which his contemporaries pursue and strive to + realize, in an absolute manner in his works: such a poet was Chopin for + his country and for the epoch in which he was born. The poetic sentiments + the most widely spread, yet the most intimate and inherent of his nation, + were embodied and united in his imagination, and represented by his + brilliant genius. Poland has given birth to many bards, some of whom rank + among the first poets of the world. + </p> + <p> + Its writers are now making strenuous efforts to display in the strongest + light, the most glorious and interesting facts of its history, the most + peculiar and picturesque phases of its manners and customs. Chopin, + differing from them in having formed no premeditated design, surpasses + them all in originality. He did not determine upon, he did not seek such a + result; he created no ideal a priori. Without having predetermined to + transport himself into the past, he constantly remembered the glories of + his country, he understood and sung the loves and tears of his + contemporaries without having analyzed them in advance. He did not task + himself, nor study to be a national musician. Like all truly national + poets he sang spontaneously without premeditated design or preconceived + choice all that inspiration dictated to him, as we hear it gushing forth + in his songs without labor, almost without effort. He repeated in the most + idealized form the emotions which had animated and embellished his youth; + under the magic delicacy of his pen he displayed the Ideal, which is, if + we may be permitted so to speak, the Real among his people; an Ideal + really in existence among them, which every one in general and each one in + particular approaches by the one or the other of its many sides. Without + assuming to do so, he collected in luminous sheaves the impressions felt + everywhere throughout his country—vaguely felt it is true, yet in + fragments pervading all hearts. Is it not by this power of reproducing in + a poetic formula, enchanting to the imagination of all nations, the + indefinite shades of feeling widely scattered but frequently met among + their compatriots, that the artists truly national are distinguished? + </p> + <p> + Not without reason has the task been undertaken of collecting the melodies + indigenous to every country. It appears to us it would be of still deeper + interest, to trace the influences forming the characteristic powers of the + authors most deeply inspired by the genius of the nation to which they + belong. Until the present epoch there have been very few distinctive + compositions, which stand out from the two great divisions of the German + and Italian schools of music. But with the immense development which this + art seems destined to attain, perhaps renewing for us the glorious era of + the Painters of the CINQUE CENTO, it is highly probable that composers + will appear whose works will be marked by an originality drawn from + differences of organization, of races, and of climates. It is to be + presumed that we will be able to recognize the influences of the country + in which they were born upon the great masters in music, as well as in the + other arts; that we will be able to distinguish the peculiar and + predominant traits of the national genius more completely developed, more + poetically true, more interesting to study, in the pages of their + compositions than in the crude, incorrect, uncertain, vague and tremulous + sketches of the uncultured people. + </p> + <p> + Chopin must be ranked among the first musicians thus individualizing in + themselves the poetic sense of an entire nation, not because he adopted + the rhythm of POLONAISES, MAZOURKAS, and CRACOVIENNES, and called many of + his works by such names, for in so doing he would have limited himself to + the multiplication of such works alone, and would always have given us the + same mode, the remembrance of the same thing; a reproduction which would + soon have grown wearisome, serving but to multiply compositions of similar + form, which must have soon grown more or less monotonous. It is because he + filled these forms with the feelings peculiar to his country, because the + expression of the national heart may be found under all the modes in which + he has written, that he is entitled to be considered a poet essentially + Polish. His PRELUDES, his NOCTURNES, his SCHERZOS, his CONCERTOS, his + shortest as well as his longest compositions, are all filled with the + national sensibility, expressed indeed in different degrees, modified and + varied in a thousand ways, but always bearing the same character. An + eminently subjective author, Chopin has given the same life to all his + productions, animated all his works with his own spirit. All his writings + are thus linked by a marked unity. Their beauties as well as their defects + may be traced to the same order of emotions, to peculiar modes of feeling. + The reproduction of the feelings of his people, idealized and elevated + through his own subjective genius, is an essential requisite for the + national poet who desires that the heart of his country should vibrate in + unison with his own strains. + </p> + <p> + By the analogies of words and images, we should like to render it possible + for our readers to comprehend the exquisite yet irritable sensibility + peculiar to ardent yet susceptible hearts, to haughty yet deeply wounded + souls. We cannot flatter ourselves that in the cold realm of words we have + been able to give any idea of such ethereal odorous flames. In comparison + with the vivid and delicious excitement produced by other arts, words + always appear poor, cold, and arid, so that the assertion seems just: + "that of all modes of expressing sentiments, words are the most + insufficient." We cannot flatter ourselves with having attained in our + descriptions the exceeding delicacy of touch, necessary to sketch that + which Chopin has painted with hues so ethereal. All is subtle in his + compositions, even the source of excitement, of passion; all open, frank, + primitive impressions disappear in them; before they meet the eye, they + have passed through the prism of an exacting, ingenious, and fertile + imagination, and it has become difficult if not impossible to resolve them + again into their primal elements. Acuteness of discernment is required to + understand, delicacy to describe them. In seizing such refined impressions + with the keenest discrimination, in embodying them with infinite art, + Chopin has proved himself an artist of the highest order. It is only after + long and patient study, after having pursued his sublimated ideas through + their multiform ramifications, that we learn to admire sufficiently, to + comprehend aright, the genius with which he has rendered his subtle + thoughts visible and palpable, without once blunting their edge, or ever + congealing their fiery flow. + </p> + <p> + He was so entirely filled with the sentiments whose most perfect types he + believed he had known in his own youth, with the ideas which it alone + pleased him to confide to art; he contemplated art so invariably from the + same point of view, that his artistic preferences could not fail to be + influenced by his early impressions. In the great models and + CHEFS-D'OEUVRE, he only sought that which was in correspondence with his + own soul. That which stood in relation to it pleased him; that which + resembled it not, scarcely obtained justice from him. Uniting in himself + the frequently incompatible qualities of passion and grace he possessed + great accuracy of judgment, and preserved himself from all petty + partiality, but he was but slightly attracted by the greatest beauties, + the highest merits, when they wounded any of the phases of his poetic + conceptions. Notwithstanding the high admiration which he entertained for + the works of Beethoven, certain portions of them always seemed to him too + rudely sculptured; their structure was too athletic to please him, their + wrath seemed to him too tempestuous, their passion too overpowering, the + lion-marrow which fills every member of his phases was matter too + substantial for his tastes, and the Raphaelic and Seraphic profiles which + are wrought into the midst of the nervous and powerful creations of this + great genius, were to him almost painful from the force of the cutting + contrast in which they are frequently set. + </p> + <p> + In spite of the charm which he acknowledged in some of the melodies of + Schubert, he would not willingly listen to those in which the contours + were too sharp for his ear, in which suffering lies naked, and we can + almost feel the flesh palpitate, and hear the bones crack and crash under + the rude embrace of sorrow. All savage wildness was repulsive to him. In + music, in literature, in the conduct of life, all that approached the + melodramatic was painful to him The frantic and despairing aspects of + exaggerated romanticism were repellent to him, he could not endure the + struggling for wonderful effects, for delicious excesses. "He loved + Shakspeare only under many conditions. He thought his characters were + drawn too closely to the life, and spoke a language too true; he preferred + the epic and lyric syntheses which leave the poor details of humanity in + the shade. For the same reason he spoke little and listened less, not + wishing to give expression to his own thoughts, or to receive the thoughts + of others, until after they had attained a certain degree of elevation." + </p> + <p> + A nature so completely master of itself, so full of delicate reserve, + which loved to divine through glimpses, presentiments, suppositions, all + that had been left untold (a species of divination always dear to poets + who can so eloquently finish the interrupted words) must have felt + annoyed, almost scandalized, by an audacity which leaves nothing + unexpressed, nothing to be divined. If he had been called upon to express + his own views upon this subject, we believe he would have confessed that + in accordance with his taste, he was only permitted to give vent to his + feelings on condition of suffering much to remain unrevealed, or only to + be divined under the rich veils of broidery in which he wound his + emotions. If that which they agree in calling classic in art appeared to + him too full of methodical restrictions, if he refused to permit himself + to be garroted in the manacles and frozen in the conventions of systems, + if he did not like confinement although enclosed in the safe symmetry of a + gilded cage, it was not because he preferred the license of disorder, the + confusion of irregularity. It was rather that he might soar like the lark + into the deep blue of the unclouded heavens. Like the Bird of Paradise, + which it was once thought never slept but while resting upon extended + wing, rocked only by the breath of unlimited space at the sublime height + at which it reposed; he obstinately refused to descend to bury himself in + the misty gloom of the forests, or to surround himself with the howlings + and wailings with which it is filled. He would not leave the depths of + azure for the wastes of the desert, or attempt to fix pathways over the + treacherous waves of sand, which the winds, in exulting irony, delight to + sweep over the traces of the rash mortal seeking to mark the line of his + wandering through the drifting, blinding swells. + </p> + <p> + That style of Italian art which is so open, so glaring, so devoid of the + attraction of mystery or of science, with all that which in German art + bears the seal of vulgar, though powerful energy, was distasteful to him. + Apropos of Schubert he once remarked: "that the sublime is desecrated when + followed by the trivial or commonplace." Among the composers for the piano + Hummel was one of the authors whom he reread with the most pleasure. + Mozart was in his eyes the ideal type, the Poet par excellence, because + he, less rarely than any other author, condescended to descend the steps + leading from the beautiful to the commonplace. The father of Mozart after + having been present at a representation of IDOMENEE made to his son the + following reproach: "You have been wrong in putting in it nothing for the + long ears." It was precisely for such omissions that Chopin admired him. + The gayety of Papageno charmed him; the love of Tamino with its mysterious + trials seemed to him worthy of having occupied Mozart; he understood the + vengeance of Donna Anna because it cast but a deeper shade upon her + mourning. Yet such was his Sybaritism of purity, his dread of the + commonplace, that even in this immortal work he discovered some passages + whose introduction we have heard him regret. His worship for Mozart was + not diminished but only saddened by this. He could sometimes forget that + which was repulsive to him, but to reconcile himself to it was impossible. + He seemed to be governed in this by one of those implacable and irrational + instincts, which no persuasion, no effort, can ever conquer sufficiently + to obtain a state of mere indifference towards the objects of the + antipathy; an aversion sometimes so insurmountable, that we can only + account for it by supposing it to proceed from some innate and peculiar + idiosyncrasy. + </p> + <p> + After he had finished his studies in harmony with Professor Joseph Elsner, + who taught him the rarely known and difficult task of being exacting + towards himself, and placing the just value upon the advantages which are + only to be obtained by dint of patience and labor; and after he had + finished his collegiate course, it was the desire of his parents that he + should travel in order that he might become familiar with the finest works + under the advantage of their perfect execution. For this purpose he + visited many of the German cities. He had left Warsaw upon one of these + short excursions, when the revolution of the 29th of November broke out in + 1830. + </p> + <p> + Forced to remain in Vienna, he was heard there in some concerts, but the + Viennese public, generally so cultivated, so prompt to seize the most + delicate shades of execution, the finest subtleties of thought, during + this winter were disturbed and abstracted. The young artist did not + produce there the effect he had the right to anticipate. He left Vienna + with the design of going to London, but he came first to Paris, where he + intended to remain but a short time. Upon his passport drawn up for + England, he had caused to be inserted: "passing through Paris." These + words sealed his fate. Long years afterwards, when he seemed not only + acclimated, but naturalized in France, he would smilingly say: I am + "passing through Paris." + </p> + <p> + He gave several concerts after his arrival in Paris, where he was + immediately received and admired in the circles of the elite, as well as + welcomed by the young artists. We remember his first appearance in the + saloons of Pleyel, where the most enthusiastic and redoubled applause + seemed scarcely sufficient to express our enchantment for the genius which + had revealed new phases of poetic feeling, and made such happy yet bold + innovations in the form of musical art. + </p> + <p> + Unlike the greater part of young debutants, he was not intoxicated or + dazzled for a moment by his triumph, but accepted it without pride or + false modesty, evincing none of the puerile enjoyment of gratified vanity + exhibited by the PARVENUS of success. His countrymen who were then in + Paris gave him a most affectionate reception. He was intimate in the house + of Prince Czartoryski, of the Countess Plater, of Madame de Komar, and in + that of her daughters, the Princess de Beauveau and the Countess Delphine + Potocka, whose beauty, together with her indescribable and spiritual + grace, made her one of the most admired sovereigns of the society of + Paris. He dedicated to her his second Concerto, which contains the Adagio + we have already described. The ethereal beauty of the Countess, her + enchanting voice enchained him by a fascination full of respectful + admiration. Her voice was destined to be the last which should vibrate + upon the musician's heart. Perhaps the sweetest sounds of earth + accompanied the parting soul until they blended in his ear with the first + chords of the angels' lyres. + </p> + <p> + He mingled much with the Polish circle in Paris; with Orda who seemed born + to command the future, and who was however killed in Algiers at twenty + years of age; with Counts Plater, Grzymala, Ostrowski, Szembeck, with + Prince Lubomirski, etc. etc. As the Polish families who came afterwards to + Paris were all anxious to form acquaintance with him, he continued to + mingle principally with his own people. He remained through them not only + AU COURANT of all that was passing in his own country, but even in a kind + of musical correspondence with it. He liked those who visited Paris to + show him the airs or new songs they had brought with them, and when the + words of these airs pleased him, he frequently wrote a new melody for + them, thus popularizing them rapidly in his country although the name of + their author was often unknown. The number of these melodies, due to the + inspiration of the heart alone, having become considerable, he often + thought of collecting them for publication. But he thought of it too late, + and they remain scattered and dispersed, like the perfume of the scented + flowers blessing the wilderness and sweetening the "desert air" around + some wandering traveller, whom chance may have led upon their secluded + track. During our stay in Poland we heard some of the melodies which are + attributed to him, and which are truly worthy of him; but who would now + dare to make an uncertain selection between the inspirations of the + national poet, and the dreams of his people? + </p> + <p> + Chopin kept for a long time aloof from the celebrities of Paris; their + glittering train repelled him. As his character and habits had more true + originality than apparent eccentricity, he inspired less curiosity than + they did. Besides he had sharp repartees for those who imprudently wished + to force him into a display of his musical abilities. Upon one occasion + after he had just left the dining-room, an indiscreet host, who had had + the simplicity to promise his guests some piece executed by him as a rare + dessert, pointed to him an open piano. He should have remembered that in + counting without the host, it is necessary to count twice. Chopin at first + refused, but wearied at last by continued persecution, assuming, to + sharpen the sting of his words, a stifled and languid tone of voice, he + exclaimed: "Ah, sir, I have scarcely dined!" + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Madame Sand—Lelia—Visit to Majorca—Exclusive Ideals.</i> + </p> + <p> + In 1836 Madame Sand had not only published INDIANA, VALENTINE, and + JACQUES, but also LELIA, that prose poem of which she afterwards said: "If + I regret having written it, it is because I could not now write it. Were I + in the same state of mind now as when it was written, it would indeed be a + great consolation to me to be able to commence it." The mere painting of + romances in cold water colors must have seemed, without doubt, dull to + Madame Sand, after having handled the hammer and chisel of the sculptor so + boldly, in modeling the grand lines of that semi-colossal statue, in + cutting those sinewy muscles, which even in their statuesque immobility, + are full of bewildering and seductive charm. Should we continue long to + gaze upon it, it excites the most painful emotion. In strong contrast to + the miracle of Pygmalion, Lelia seems a living Galatea, rich in feeling, + full of love, whom the deeply enamored artist has tried to bury alive in + his exquisitely sculptured marble, stifling the palpitating breath, and + congealing the warm blood in the vain hope of elevating and immortalizing + the beauty he adores. In the presence of this vivid nature petrified by + art, we cannot feel that admiration is kindled into love, but, saddened + and chilled, we are forced to acknowledge that love may be frozen into + mere admiration. + </p> + <p> + Brown and olive-hued Lelia! Dark as Lara, despairing as Manfred, + rebellious as Cain, thou hast ranged through the depths of solitude! But + thou art more ferocious, more savage, more inconsolable than they, because + thou hast never found a man's heart sufficiently feminine to love thee as + they were loved, to pay the homage of a confiding and blind submission to + thy virile charms, to offer thee a mute yet ardent devotion, to suffer its + obedience to be protected by thy Amazonian force! Woman-hero! Like the + Amazons, thou hast been valiant and eager for combats; like them thou hast + not feared to expose the exquisite loveliness of thy face to the + fierceness of the summer's sun, or the sharp blasts of winter! Thou hast + hardened thy fragile limbs by the endurance of fatigue, thus robbing them + of the subtle power of their weakness! Thou hast covered thy palpitating + breast with a heavy cuirass, which has pressed and torn it, dyeing its + snow in blood;—that gentle woman's bosom, charming as life, discreet + as the grave, which is always adored by man when his heart is permitted to + form its sole, its impenetrable buckler! + </p> + <p> + After having blunted her chisel in polishing this statue, which, by its + majesty, its haughty disdain, its look of hopeless anguish, shadowed by + the frowning of the pure brows and by the long loose locks shivering with + electric life, reminds us of those antique cameos on which we still admire + the perfect features, the beautiful yet fatal brow, the haughty smile of + the Medusa, whose gaze paralyzed and stopped the pulses of the human + heart;—Madame Sand in vain sought another form for the expression of + the emotions which tortured her insatiate soul. After having draped this + figure with the highest art, accumulating every species of masculine + greatness upon it in order to compensate for the highest of all qualities + which she repudiated for it, the grandeur of, "utter self-abnegation for + love," which the many-sided poet has placed in the empyrean and called + "the Eternal Feminine," (DAS EWIGWEIBLICHE,)—a greatness which is + love existing before any of its joys, surviving all its sorrows;—after + having caused Don Juan to be cursed, and a divine hymn to be chanted to + Desire by Lelia, who, as well as Don Juan, had repulsed the only delight + which crowns desire, the luxury of self-abnegation,—after having + fully revenged Elvira by the creation of Stenio,—after having + scorned man more than Don Juan had degraded woman,—Madame Sand, in + her LETTRES D'UN VOYAGEUR, depicts the shivering palsy, the painful + lethargy which seizes the artist, when, having incorporated the emotion + which inspired him in his work, his imagination still remains under the + domination of the insatiate idea without being able to find another form + in which to incarnate it. Such poetic sufferings were well understood by + Byron, when he makes Tasso shed his most bitter tears, not for his chains, + not for his physical sufferings, not for the ignominy heaped upon him, but + for his finished Epic, for the ideal world created by his thought and now + about to close its doors upon him, and by thus expelling him from its + enchanted realm, rendering him at last sensible of the gloomy realities + around him:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "But this is o'er—my pleasant task is done:— + My long-sustaining friend of many years: + If I do blot thy final page with tears, + Know that my sorrows have wrung from me none. + But thou, my young creation! my soul's child! + Which ever playing round me came and smiled, + And woo'd me from myself with thy sweet sight, + Thou too art gone—and so is my delight." + + LAMENT OF TASSO.—BYRON. +</pre> + <p> + At this epoch, Madame Sand often heard a musician, one of the friends who + had greeted Chopin with the most enthusiastic joy upon his arrival at + Paris, speak of him. She heard him praise his poetic genius even more than + his artistic talent. She was acquainted with his compositions, and admired + their graceful tenderness. She was struck by the amount of emotion + displayed in his poems, with the effusions of a heart so noble and + dignified. Some of the countrymen of Chopin spoke to her of the women of + their country, with the enthusiasm natural to them upon that subject, an + enthusiasm then very much increased by a remembrance of the sublime + sacrifices made by them during the last war. Through their recitals and + the poetic inspiration of the Polish artist, she perceived an ideal of + love which took the form of worship for woman. She thought that guaranteed + from dependence, preserved from inferiority, her role might be like the + fairy power of the Peri, that ethereal intelligence and friend of man. + Perhaps she did not fully understand what innumerable links of suffering, + of silence, of patience, of gentleness, of indulgence, of courageous + perseverance, had been necessary for the formation of the worship for this + imperious but resigned ideal, beautiful indeed, but sad to behold, like + those plants with the rose-colored corollas, whose stems, intertwining and + interlacing in a network of long and numerous branches, give life to + ruins; destined ever to embellish decay, growing upon old walls and hiding + only tottering stones! Beautiful veils woven by beneficent Nature, in her + ingenious and inexhaustible richness, to cover the constant decay of human + things! + </p> + <p> + As Madame Sand perceived that this artist, in place of giving body to his + phantasy in porphyry and marble, or defining his thoughts by the creation + of massive caryatides, rather effaced the contour of his works, and, had + it been necessary, could have elevated his architecture itself from the + soil, to suspend it, like the floating palaces of the Fata Morgana, in the + fleecy clouds, through his aerial forms of almost impalpable buoyancy, she + was more and more attracted by that mystic ideal which she perceived + glowing within them. Though her arm was powerful enough to have sculptured + the round shield, her hand was delicate enough to have traced those light + relievos where the shadows of ineffaceable profiles have been thrown upon + and trusted to a stone scarcely raised from its level plane. She was no + stranger in the supernatural world, she to whom Nature, as to a favored + child, had unloosed her girdle and unveiled all the caprices, the + attractions, the delights, which she can lend to beauty. She was not + ignorant of the lightest graces; she whose eye could embrace such vast + proportions, had stooped to study the glowing illuminations painted upon + the wings of the fragile butterfly. She had traced the symmetrical and + marvellous network which the fern extends as a canopy over the wood + strawberry; she had listened to the murmuring of streams through the long + reeds and stems of the water-grass, where the hissing of the "amorous + viper" may be heard; she had followed the wild leaps of the + Will-with-a-wisp as it bounds over the surface of the meadows and marshes; + she had pictured to herself the chimerical dwelling-places toward which it + perfidiously attracts the benighted traveller; she had listened to the + concerts given by the Cicada and their friends in the stubble of the + fields; she had learned the names of the inhabitants of the winged + republics of the woods which she could distinguish as well by their + plumaged robes, as by their jeering roulades or plaintive cries. She knew + the secret tenderness of the lily in the splendor of its tints; she had + listened to the sighs of Genevieve, [Footnote: ANDRE] the maiden enamored + of flowers. + </p> + <p> + She was visited in her dreams by those "unknown friends" who came to + rejoin her "when she was seized with distress upon a desolate shore," + brought by a "rapid stream... in large and full bark"... upon which she + mounted to leave the unknown shores, "the country of chimeras which make + real life appear like a dream half effaced to those, who enamored from + their infancy of large shells of pearl, mount them to land in those isles + where all are young and beautiful... where the men and women are crowned + with flowers, with their long locks floating upon their shoulders... + holding vases and harps of a strange form... having songs and voices not + of this world... all loving each other equally with a divine love... where + crystal fountains of perfumed waters play in basins of silver... where + blue roses bloom in vases of alabaster... where the perspectives are all + enchanted... where they walk with naked feet upon the thick green moss, + soft as carpets of velvet... where all sing as they wander among the + fragrant groves." [Footnote: LETTRES D'UN VOYAGEUR] + </p> + <p> + She knew these unknown friends so well that after having again seen them, + "she could not dream of them without palpitations of the heart during the + whole day." She was initiated into the Hoffmannic world—"she who had + surprised such ineffable smiles upon the portraits of the dead;" + [Footnote: SPIRIDSON] who had seen the rays of the sun falling through the + stained glass of a Gothic window form a halo round loved heads, like the + arm of God, luminous and impalpable, surrounded by a vortex of atoms;—she + who had known such glorious apparitions, clothed with the purple and + golden glories of the setting sun. The realm of fantasy had no myth with + whose secret she was not familiar! + </p> + <p> + Thus she was naturally anxious to become acquainted with one who had with + rapid wing flown "to those scenes which it is impossible to describe, but + which must exist somewhere, either upon the earth, or in some of the + planets, whose light we love to gaze upon in the forests when the moon has + set." [Footnote: LETTRES D'UN VOYAGEUR] Such scenes she had prayed never + to be forced to desert—never desiring to bring her heart and + imagination back to this dreary world, too like the gloomy coasts of + Finland, where the slime and miry slough can only be escaped by scaling + the naked granite of the solitary rocks. Fatigued with the massive statue + she had sculptured, the Amazonian Lelia; wearied with the grandeur of an + Ideal which it is impossible to mould from the gross materials of this + earth; she was desirous to form an acquaintance with the artist "the lover + of an impossible so shadowy"—so near the starry regions. Alas! if + these regions are exempt from the poisonous miasmas of our atmosphere, + they are not free from its desolating melancholy! Perhaps those who are + transported there may adore the shining of new suns—but there are + others not less dear whose light they must see extinguished! Will not the + most glorious among the beloved constellation of the Pleiades there + disappear? Like drops of luminous dew the stars fall one by one into the + nothingness of a yawning abyss, whose bottomless depths no plummet has + ever sounded, while the soul, contemplating these fields of ether, this + blue Sahara with its wandering and perishing oases,—is stricken by a + grief so hopeless, so profound, that neither enthusiasm nor love can ever + soothe it more. It ingulfs and absorbs all emotions, being no more + agitated by them than the sleeping waters of some tranquil lake, + reflecting the moving images thronging its banks from its polished + surface, are by the varied motions and eager life of the many objects + mirrored upon its glassy bosom. The drowsy waters cannot thus be wakened + from their icy lethargy. This melancholy saddens even the highest joy. + "Through the exhaustion always accompanying such tension, when the soul is + strained above the region which it naturally inhabits... the insufficiency + of speech is felt for the first time by those who have studied it so much, + and used it so well—we are borne from all active, from all militant + instincts—to travel through boundless space—to be lost in the + immensity of adventurous courses far, far above the clouds... where we no + longer see that the earth is beautiful, because our gaze is riveted upon + the skies... where reality is no longer poetically draped, as has been so + skilfully done by the author of Waverley, but where, in idealizing poetry + itself, the infinite is peopled with the spirits belonging only to its + mystic realm, as has been done by Byron in his Manfred." + </p> + <p> + Could Madame Sand have divined the incurable melancholy, the will which + cannot blend with that of others, the imperious exclusiveness, which + invariably seize upon imaginations delighting in the pursuit of dreams + whose realities are nowhere to be found, or at least never in the + matter-of-fact world in which the dreamers are constrained to dwell? Had + she foreseen the form which devoted attachment assumes for such dreamers; + had she measured the entire and absolute absorption which they will alone + accept as the synonyme of tenderness? It is necessary to be in some degree + shy, shrinking, and secretive as they themselves are, to be able to + understand the hidden depths of characters so concentrated. Like those + susceptible flowers which close their sensitive petals before the first + breath of the North wind, they too veil their exacting souls in the + shrouds of self concentration, unfolding themselves only under the warming + rays of a propitious sun. Such natures have been called "rich by + exclusiveness;" in opposition to those which are "rich by expansiveness." + "If these differing temperaments should meet and approach each other, they + can never mingle or melt the one into the other," (says the writer whom we + have so often quoted) "but the one must consume the other, leaving nothing + but ashes behind." Alas! it is the natures like that of the fragile + musician whose days we commemorate, which, consuming themselves, perish; + not wishing, not indeed being able, to live any life but one in conformity + with their own exclusive Ideal. + </p> + <p> + Chopin seemed to dread Madame Sand more than any other woman, the modern + Sibyl, who, like the Pythoness of old, had said so many things that others + of her sex neither knew nor dared to say. He avoided and put off all + introduction to her. Madame Sand was ignorant of this. In consequence of + that captivating simplicity, which is one of her noblest charms, she did + not divine his fear of the Delphic priestess. At last she was presented to + him, and an acquaintance with her soon dissipated the prejudices which he + had obstinately nourished against female authors. + </p> + <p> + In the fall of 1837, Chopin was attacked by an alarming illness, which + left him almost without force to support life. Dangerous symptoms forced + him to go South to avoid the rigor of winter. Madame Sand, always so + watchful over those whom she loved, so full of compassion for their + sufferings, would not permit him, when his health required so much care, + to set out alone, and determined to accompany him. They selected the + island of Majorca for their residence because the air of the sea, joined + to the mild climate which prevails there, is especially salubrious for + those who are suffering from affections of the lungs. Though he was so + weak when he left Paris that we had no hope of his ever returning; though + after his arrival in Majorca he was long and dangerously ill; yet so much + was he benefited by the change that big health was improved during several + years. + </p> + <p> + Was it the effect of the balmy climate alone which recalled him to health? + Was it not rather because his life was full of bliss that he found + strength to live? Did he not regain strength only because he now wished to + live? Who can tell how far the influence of the will extends over the + body? Who knows what internal subtle aroma it has the power of disengaging + to preserve the sinking frame from decay; what vital force it can breathe + into the debilitated organs? Who can say where the dominion of mind over + matter ceases? Who knows how far our senses are under the dominion of the + imagination, to what extent their powers may be increased, or their + extinction accelerated, by its influence? It matters not how the + imagination gains its strange extension of power, whether through long and + bitter exercise, or, whether spontaneously collecting its forgotten + strength, it concentrates its force in some new and decisive moment of + destiny: as when the rays of the sun are able to kindle a flame of + celestial origin when concentrated in the focus of the burning glass, + brittle and fragile though the medium be. + </p> + <p> + All the long scattered rays of happiness were collected within this epoch + of the life of Chopin; is it then surprising that they should have + rekindled the flame of life, and that it should have burned at this time + with the most vivid lustre? The solitude surrounded by the blue waves of + the Mediterranean and shaded by groves of orange, seemed fitted in its + exceeding loveliness for the ardent vows of youthful lovers, still + believing in their naive and sweet illusions, sighing for happiness in + "some desert isle." He breathed there that air for which natures unsuited + for the world, and never feeling themselves happy in it, long with such a + painful home-sickness; that air which may be found everywhere if we can + find the sympathetic souls to breathe it with us, and which is to be met + nowhere without them; that air of the land of our dreams; and which in + spite of all obstacles, of the bitter real, is easily discovered when + sought by two! It is the air of the country of the ideal to which we + gladly entice the being we cherish, repeating with poor Mignon: DAHIN! + DAHIN!... LASST UNS ZIEHN! + </p> + <p> + As long as his sickness lasted, Madame Sand never left the pillow of him + who loved her even to death, with an attachment which in losing all its + joys, did not lose its intensity, which remained faithful to her even + after all its memories had turned to pain: "for it seemed as if this + fragile being was absorbed and consumed by the strength of his + affection.... Others seek happiness in their attachments; when they no + longer find it, the attachment gently vanishes. In this they resemble the + rest of the world. But he loved for the sake of loving. No amount of + suffering was sufficient to discourage him. He could enter upon a new + phase, that of woe; but the phase of coldness he could never arrive at. It + would have been indeed a phase of physical agony—for his love was + his life—and delicious or bitter, he had not the power of + withdrawing himself a single moment from its domination." [Footnote: + LUCRESIA FLORIANA] Madame Sand never ceased to be for Chopin that being of + magic spells who had snatched him from the valley of the shadow of death, + whose power had changed his physical agony into the delicious languor of + love. To save him from death, to bring him back to life, she struggled + courageously with his disease. She surrounded him with those divining and + instinctive cares which are a thousand times more efficacious than the + material remedies known to science. While engaged in nursing him, she felt + no fatigue, no weariness, no discouragement. Neither her strength, nor her + patience, yielded before the task. Like the mothers in robust health, who + appear to communicate a part of their own strength to the sickly infant + who, constantly requiring their care, have also their preference, she + nursed the precious charge into new life. The disease yielded: "the + funereal oppression which secretly undermined the spirit of Chopin, + destroying and corroding all contentment, gradually vanished. He permitted + the amiable character, the cheerful serenity of his friend to chase sad + thoughts and mournful presentiments away, and to breathe new force into + his intellectual being." + </p> + <p> + Happiness succeeded to gloomy fears, like the gradual progression of a + beautiful day after a night full of obscurity and terror, when so dense + and heavy is the vault of darkness which weighs upon us from above, that + we are prepared for a sudden and fatal catastrophe, we do not even dare to + dream of deliverance, when the despairing eye suddenly catches a bright + spot where the mists clear, and the clouds open like flocks of heavy wool + yielding, even while the edges thicken under the pressure of the hand + which rends them. At this moment, the first ray of hope penetrates the + soul. We breathe more freely like those who lost in the windings of a dark + cavern at last think they see a light, though indeed its existence is + still doubtful. This faint light is the day dawn, though so colorless are + its rays, that it is more like the extinction of the dying twilight,—the + fall of the night-shroud upon the earth. But it is indeed the dawn; we + know it by the vivid and pure breath of the young zephyrs which it sends + forth, like avant-coureurs, to bear us the assurance of morn and safety. + The balm of flowers fills the air, like the thrilling of an encouraged + hope. A stray bird accidentally commences his song earlier than usual, it + soothes the heart like a distant consolation, and is accepted as a promise + for the future. As the imperceptibly progressive but sure indications + multiply, we are convinced that in this struggle of light and darkness it + is the shadows of night which are to yield. Raising our eyes to the Dome + of lead above us, we feel that it weighs less heavily upon us, that it has + already lost its fatal stability. + </p> + <p> + Little by little the long gray lines of light increase, they stretch + themselves along the horizon like fissures into a brighter world. They + suddenly enlarge, they gain upon their dark boundaries, now they break + through them, as the waters bounding the edge of a lake inundate in + irregular pools the arid banks. Then a fierce opposition begins, banks and + long dikes accumulate to arrest the progress. The clouds are oiled like + ridges of sand, tossing and surging to present obstructions, but like the + impetuous raging of irresistible waters, the light breaks through them, + demolishes them, devours them, and as the rays ascend, the rolling waves + of purple mist glow into crimson. At this moment the young dawn shines + with a timid yet victorious grace, while the knee bends in admiration and + gratitude before it, for the last terror has vanished, and we feel as if + new born. + </p> + <p> + Fresh objects strike upon the view, as if just called from chaos. A veil + of uniform rose-color covers them all, but as the light augments in + intensity, the thin gauze drapes and folds in shades of pale carnation, + while the advancing plains grow clear in white and dazzling splendor. + </p> + <p> + The brilliant sun delays no longer to invade the firmament, gaining new + glory as he rises. The vapors surge and crowd together, rolling themselves + from right to left, like the heavy drapery of a curtain moved by the wind. + Then all breathes, moves, lives, hums, sings; the sounds mingle, cross, + meet, and melt into each other. Inertia gives place to motion, it spreads, + accelerates and circulates. The waves of the lake undulate and swell like + a bosom touched by love. The tears of the dew, motionless as those of + tenderness, grow more and more perceptible, one after another they are + seen glittering on the humid herbs, diamonds waiting for the sun to paint + with rainbow-tints their vivid scintillations. The gigantic fan of light + in the East is ever opening larger and wider. Spangles of silver, borders + of scarlet, violet fringes, bars of gold, cover it with fantastic + broidery. Light bands of reddish brown feather its branches. The brightest + scarlet at its centre has the glowing transparency of the ruby; shading + into orange like a burning coal, it widens like a torch, spreads like a + bouquet of flames, which glows and glows from fervor to fervor, ever more + incandescent. + </p> + <p> + At last the god of day appears! His blazing front is adorned with luminous + locks of long floating hair. Slowly he seems to rise—but scarcely + has he fully unveiled himself, than he starts forward, disengages himself + from all around him, and, leaving the earth far below him, takes + instantaneous possession of the vaulted heavens.... + </p> + <p> + The memory of the days passed in the lovely isle of Majorca, like the + remembrance of an entrancing ecstasy, which fate grants but once in life + even to the most favored of her children, remained always dear to the + heart of Chopin. "He [Footnote: Lucrezia Fioriani] was no longer upon this + earth, he was in an empyrean of golden clouds and perfumes, his + imagination, so full of exquisite beauty, seemed engaged in a monologue + with God himself; and if upon the radiant prism in whose contemplation he + forgot all else, the magic-lantern of the outer world would even cast its + disturbing shadow, he felt deeply pained, as if in the midst of a sublime + concert, a shrieking old woman should blend her shrill yet broken tones, + her vulgar musical motivo, with the divine thoughts of the great masters." + He always spoke of this period with deep emotion, profound gratitude, as + if its happiness had been sufficient for a life-time, without hoping that + it would ever be possible again to find a felicity in which the fight of + time was only marked by the tenderness of woman's love, and the brilliant + flashes of true genius. Thus did the clock of Linnaeus mark the course of + time, indicating the hours by the successive waking and sleeping of the + flowers, marking each by a different perfume, and a display of ever + varying beauties, as each variegated calyx opened in ever changing yet + ever lovely form! + </p> + <p> + The beauties of the countries through which the Poet and Musician + travelled together, struck with more distinctness the imagination of the + former. The loveliness of nature impressed Chopin in a manner less + definite, though not less strong. His soul was touched, and immediately + harmonized with the external enchantment, yet his intellect did not feel + the necessity of analyzing or classifying it. His heart vibrated in unison + with the exquisite scenery around him, although he was not able at the + moment to assign the precise source of his blissful tranquillity. Like a + true musician, he was satisfied to seize the sentiment of the scenes he + visited, while he seemed to give but little attention to the plastic + material, the picturesque frame, which did not assimilate with the form of + his art, nor belong to his more spiritualized sphere. However, (a fact + that has been often remarked in organizations such as his,) as he was + removed in time and distance from the scenes in which emotion had obscured + his senses, as the clouds from the burning incense envelope the censer, + the more vividly the forms and beauties of such scenes stood out in his + memory. In the succeeding years, he frequently spoke of them, as though + the remembrance was full of pleasure to him. But when so entirely happy, + he made no inventory of his bliss. He enjoyed it simply, as we all do in + the sweet years of childhood, when we are deeply impressed by the scenery + surrounding us without ever thinking of its details, yet finding, long + after, the exact image of each object in our memory, though we are only + able to describe its forms when we have ceased to behold them. + </p> + <p> + Besides, why should he have tasked himself to scrutinize the beautiful + sites in Spain which formed the appropriate setting of his poetic + happiness? Could he not always find them again through the descriptions of + his inspired companion? As all objects, even the atmosphere itself, become + flame-colored when seen through a glass dyed in crimson, so he might + contemplate these delicious sites in the glowing hues cast around them by + the impassioned genius of the woman he loved. The nurse of his sick-room—was + she not also a great artist? Rare and beautiful union! If to the depths of + tenderness and devotion, in which the true and irresistible empire of + woman must commence, and deprived of which she is only an enigma without a + possible solution, nature should unite the most brilliant gifts of genius,—the + miraculous spectacle of the Greek firs would be renewed,—the + glittering flames would again sport over the abysses of the ocean without + being extinguished or submerged in the chilling depths, adding, as the + living hues were thrown upon the surging waves, the glowing dyes of the + purple fire to the celestial blue of the heaven-reflecting sea! + </p> + <p> + Has genius ever attained that utter self-abnegation, that sublime humility + of heart which gives the power to make those strange sacrifices of the + entire Past, of the whole Future; those immolations, as courageous as + mysterious; those mystic and utter holocausts of self, not temporary and + changing, but monotonous and constant,—through whose might alone + tenderness may justly claim the higher name, devotion? Has not the force + of genius its own exclusive and legitimate exactions, and does not the + force of woman consist in the abdication of all exactions? Can the royal + purple and burning flames of genius ever float upon the immaculate azure + of woman's destiny?... + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII. + </h2> + <p> + <i>Disappointment—Ill Health—Visit to England—Devotion + of Friends—Last Sacraments—Delphina Potocka—Louise—M. + Gutman—Death.</i> + </p> + <p> + FROM the date of 1840, the health of Chopin, affected by so many changes, + visibly declined. During some years, his most tranquil hours were spent at + Nohant, where he seemed to suffer less than elsewhere. He composed there, + with pleasure, bringing with him every year to Paris several new + compositions, but every winter caused him an increase of suffering. Motion + became at first difficult, and soon almost impossible to him. From 1846 to + 1847, he scarcely walked at all; he could not ascend the staircase without + the most painful sensation of suffocation, and his life was only prolonged + through continual care and the greatest precaution. + </p> + <p> + Towards the Spring of 1847, as his health grew more precarious from day to + day, he was attacked by an illness from which it was thought he could + never recover. He was saved for the last time; but this epoch was marked + by an event so agonizing to his heart that he immediately called it + mortal. Indeed, he did not long survive the rupture of his friendship with + Madame Sand, which took place at this date. Madame de Stael, who, in spite + of her generous and impassioned heart, her subtle and vivid intellect, + fell sometimes into the fault of making her sentences heavy through a + species of pedantry which robbed them of the grace of "abandon,"—remarked + on one of those occasions when the strength of her feelings made her + forget the solemnity of her Genevese stiffness: "In affection, there are + only beginnings!" + </p> + <p> + This exclamation was based upon the bitter experience of the insufficiency + of the human heart to accomplish the beautiful and blissful dreams of the + imagination. Ah! if some blessed examples of human devotion did not + sometimes occur to contradict the melancholy words of Madame de Stael, + which so many illustrious as well as obscure facts seem to prove, our + suspicions might lead us to be guilty of much ingratitude and want of + trust; we might be led to doubt the sincerity of the hearts which surround + us, and see but the allegorical symbols of human affections in the antique + train of the beautiful Canephoroe, who carried the fragile and perfumed + flowers to adorn some hapless victim for the altar! + </p> + <p> + Chopin spoke frequently and almost by preference of Madame Sand, without + bitterness or recrimination. Tears always filled his eyes when he named + her; but with a kind of bitter sweetness he gave himself up to the + memories of past days, alas, now. He stripped of their manifold + significance! In spite of the many subterfuges employed by his friends to + entice him from dwelling upon remembrances which always brought dangerous + excitement with them, he loved to return to them; as if through the same + feelings which had once reanimated his life, he now wished to destroy it, + sedulously stifling its powers through the vapor of this subtle poison. + His last pleasure seemed to be the memory of the blasting of his last + hope; he treasured the bitter knowledge that under this fatal spell his + life was ebbing fast away. All attempts to fix his attention upon other + objects were made in vain, he refused to be comforted and would constantly + speak of the one engrossing subject. Even if he had ceased to speak of it, + would he not always have thought of it? He seemed to inhale the poison + rapidly and eagerly, that he might thus shorten the time in which he would + be forced to breathe it! + </p> + <p> + Although the exceeding fragility of his physical constitution might not + have allowed him, under any circumstances, to have lingered long on earth, + yet at least he might have been spared the bitter sufferings which clouded + his last hours! With a tender and ardent soul, though exacting through its + fastidiousness and excessive delicacy, he could not live unless surrounded + by the radiant phantoms he had himself evoked; he could not expel the + profound sorrow which his heart cherished as the sole remaining fragment + of the happy past. He was another great and illustrious victim to the + transitory attachments occurring between persons of different character, + who, experiencing a surprise full of delight in their first sudden + meeting, mistake it for a durable feeling, and build hopes and illusions + upon it which can never be realized. It is always the nature the most + deeply moved, the most absolute in its hopes and attachments, for which + all transplantation is impossible, which is destroyed and mined in the + painful awakening from the absorbing dream! Terrible power exercised over + man by the most exquisite gifts which he possesses! Like the coursers of + the sun, when the hand of Phaeton, in place of guiding their beneficent + career, permits them to wander at random, disordering the beautiful + structure of the celestial spheres, they bring devastation and flames in + their train! Chopin felt and often repeated that the sundering of this + long friendship, the rupture of this strong tie, broke all the chords + which bound him to life. + </p> + <p> + During this attack his life was despaired of for several days. M. Gutman, + his most distinguished pupil, and during the last years of his life, his + most intimate friend, lavished upon him every proof of tender attachment. + His cares, his attentions, were the most agreeable to him. With the + timidity natural to invalids, and with the tender delicacy peculiar to + himself, he once asked the Princess Czartoryska, who visited him every + day, often fearing that on the morrow he would no longer be among the + living: "if Gutman was not very much fatigued? If she thought he would be + able to continue his care of him;" adding, "that his presence was dearer + to him than that of any other person." His convalescence was very slow and + painful, leaving him indeed but the semblance of life. At this epoch he + changed so much in appearance that he could scarcely be recognized The + next summer brought him that deceptive decrease of suffering which it + sometimes grants to those who are dying. He refused to quit Paris, and + thus deprived himself of the pure air of the country, and the benefit of + this vivifying element. + </p> + <p> + The winter of 1847 to 1848 was filled with a painful and continual + succession of improvements and relapses. Notwithstanding this, he resolved + in the spring to accomplish his old project of visiting London. When the + revolution of February broke out, he was still confined to bed, but with a + melancholy effort, he seemed to try to interest himself in the events of + the day, and spoke of them more than usual. M. Gutman continued his most + intimate and constant visitor. He accepted through preference his cares + until the close of his life. + </p> + <p> + Feeling better in the month of April, he thought of realizing his + contemplated journey, of visiting that country to which he had intended to + go when youth and life opened in bright perspective before him. He set out + for England, where his works had already found an intelligent public, and + were generally known and admired. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [Footnote: The compositions of Chopin were, even at that + time, known and very much liked in England. The most + distinguished virtuosi frequently executed them. In a + pamphlet published in London by Messrs. Wessel and + Stappletou, under the title of AN ESSAY ON THE WORKS OF F. + CHOPIN, we find some lines marked by just criticism. The + epigraph of this little pamphlet is ingeniously chosen, and + the two lines from Shelley could scarcely be better applied + than to Chopin: + + "He was a mighty poet—and + A subtle-souled Psychologist." + + The author of this pamphlet speaks with enthusiasm of the + "originative genius untrammeled by conventionalities, + unfettered by pedantry;... of the outpourings of an + unworldly and tristful soul—those musical floods of tears, + and gushes of pure joyfulness—those exquisite embodiments + of fugitive thoughts—those infinitesimal delicacies, which + give so much value to the lightest sketch of Chopin." The + English author again says: "One thing is certain, viz.: to + play with proper feeling and correct execution, the PRELUDES + and STUDIES of Chopin, is to be neither more nor less than a + finished pianist, and moreover to comprehend them + thoroughly, to give a life and tongue to their infinite and + most eloquent subtleties of expression, involves the + necessity of being in no less a degree a poet than a + pianist, a thinker than a musician. Commonplace is + instinctively avoided in all the works of Chopin; a stale + cadence or a trite progression, a humdrum subject or a + hackneyed sequence, a vulgar twist of the melody or a worn- + out passage, a meagre harmony or an unskillful counterpoint, + may in vain be looked for throughout the entire range of his + compositions; the prevailing characteristics of which, are, + a feeling as uncommon as beautiful, a treatment as original + as felicitous, a melody and a harmony as new, fresh, + vigorous, and striking, as they are utterly unexpected and + out of the common track. In taking up one of the works of + Chopin, you are entering, as it were, a fairyland, untrodden + by human footsteps, a path hitherto unfrequented but by the + great composer himself; and a faith, a devotion, a desire to + appreciate and a determination to understand are absolutely + necessary, to do it any thing like adequate justice.... + Chopin in his POLONAISES and in his MAZOURKAS has aimed at + those characteristics, which distinguish the national music + of his country so markedly from, that of all others, that + quaint idiosyncrasy, that identical wildness and + fantasticality, that delicious mingling of the sad and + cheerful, which invariably and forcibly individualize the + music of those Northern nations, whose language delights in + combinations of consonants...."] +</pre> + <p> + He left France in that mood of mind which the English call "low spirits." + The transitory interest which he had endeavored to take in political + changes, soon disappeared. He became more taciturn than ever. If through + absence of mind, a few words would escape him. They were only exclamations + of regret. His affection for the limited number of persons whom he + continued to see, was filled with that heart-rending emotion which + precedes eternal farewells! Art alone always retained its absolute power + over him. Music absorbed him during the time, now constantly shortening, + in which he was able to occupy himself with it, as completely as during + the days when he was full of life and hope. Before he left Paris, he gave + a concert in the saloon of M. Pleyel, one of the friends with whom his + relations had been the most constant, the most frequent, and the most + affectionate; who is now rendering a worthy homage to his memory, + occupying himself with zeal and activity in the execution of a monument + for his tomb. At this concert, his chosen and faithful audience heard him + for the last time! + </p> + <p> + He was received in London with an eagerness which had some effect in + aiding him to shake off his sadness, to dissipate his mournful depression. + Perhaps he dreamed, by burying all his former habits in oblivion, he could + succeed in dissipating, his melancholy! He neglected the prescriptions of + his physicians, with all the precautions which reminded him of his + wretched health. He played twice in public, and many times in private + concerts. He mingled much in society, sat up late at night, and exposed + himself to considerable fatigue, without permitting himself to be deterred + by any consideration for his health. He was presented to the Queen by the + Duchess of Sutherland, and the most distinguished society sought the + pleasure of his acquaintance. He went to Edinburgh, where the climate was + particularly injurious to him. He was much debilitated upon his return + from Scotland; his physicians wished him to leave England immediately, but + he delayed for some time his departure. Who can read the feelings which + caused this delay!... He played again at a concert given for the Poles. It + was the last mark of love sent to his beloved country—the last look—the + last sigh—the last regret! He was feted, applauded, and surrounded + by his own people. He bade them all adieu,—they did not know it was + an eternal Farewell! What thoughts must have filled his sad soul as he + crossed the sea to return to Paris! That Paris so different now for him + from that which he had found without seeking in 1831! + </p> + <p> + He was met upon his arrival by a surprise as painful as unexpected. Dr. + Molin, whose advice and intelligent prescriptions had saved his life in + the winter of 1847, to whom alone he believed himself indebted for the + prolongation of his life, was dead. He felt his loss painfully, nay, it + brought a profound discouragement with it; at a time when the mind + exercises so much influence over the progress of the disease, he persuaded + himself that no one could replace the trusted physician, and he had no + confidence in any other. Dissatisfied with them all, without any hope from + their skill, he changed them constantly. A kind of superstitious + depression seized him. No tie stronger than life, no more powerful as + death, came now to struggle against this bitter apathy! From the winter of + 1848, Chopin had been in no condition to labor continuously. From time to + time he retouched some scattered leaves, without succeeding in arranging + his thoughts in accordance with his designs. A respectful care of his fame + dictated to him the wish that these sketches should be destroyed to + prevent the possibility of their being mutilated, disfigured, and + transformed into posthumous works unworthy of his hand. + </p> + <p> + He left no finished manuscripts, except a very short WALTZ, and a last + NOCTURNE, as parting memories. In the later period of his life he thought + of writing a method for the Piano, in which he intended to give his ideas + upon the theory and technicality of his art, the results of his long and + patient studies, his happy innovations, and his intelligent experience. + The task was a difficult one, demanding redoubled application even from + one who labored as assiduously as Chopin. Perhaps he wished to avoid the + emotions of art, (affecting those who reproduce them in serenity of soul + so differently from those who repeat in them their own desolation of + heart,) by taking refuge in a region so barren. He sought in this + employment only an absorbing and uniform occupation, he only asked from it + what Manfred demanded in vain from the powers of magic: "forgetfulness!" + Forgetfulness—granted neither by the gayety of amusement, nor the + lethargy of torpor! On the contrary, with venomous guile, they always + compensate in the renewed intensity of woe, for the time they may have + succeeded in benumbing it. In the daily labor which "charms the storms of + the soul," (DER SEELE STURM BESCHWORT,) he sought without doubt + forgetfulness, which occupation, by rendering the memory torpid, may + sometimes procure, though it cannot destroy the sense of pain. At the + close of that fine elegy which he names "The Ideal," a poet, who was also + the victim of an inconsolable melancholy, appeals to labor as a + consolation when a prey to bitter regret; while expecting an early death, + he invokes occupation as the last resource against the incessant anguish + of life: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "And thou, so pleated, with her uniting, + To charm the soul-storm into peace, + Sweet toil, in toil itself delighting, + That more it labored, less could cease, + Though but by grains thou aidest the pile + The vast eternity uprears, + At least thou strikest from TIME the while + Life's debt—the minutes—days—and years." + + Bulwer's translation of SCHILLER'S "Ideal." + + Beschoeftigung, die nie ermattet + Die langsam schafft, doch nie zerstoert, + Die zu dem Bau der Ewigkeiten + Zwar Sandkorn nur, fuer Sandkorn reicht, + Doch von der grossen Schuld der Zeiten + Minute, Tage, Jahre streicht. + + Die Ideale—SHILLER. +</pre> + <p> + The strength of Chopin was not sufficient for the execution of his + intention. The occupation was too abstract, too fatiguing. He contemplated + the form of his project, he spoke of it at different times, but its + execution had become impossible. He wrote but a few pages of it, which + were destroyed with the rest. + </p> + <p> + At last the disease augmented so visibly, that the fears of his friends + assumed the hue of despair. He scarcely ever left his bed, and spoke but + rarely. His sister, upon receiving this intelligence, came from Warsaw to + take her place at his pillow, which she left no more. He witnessed the + anguish, the presentiments, the redoubled sadness around him, without + showing what impression they made upon him. He thought of death with + Christian calm and resignation, yet he did not cease to prepare for the + morrow. The fancy he had for changing his residence was once more + manifested, he took another lodging, disposed the furnishing of it anew, + and occupied himself in its most minute details. As he had taken no + measures to recall the orders he had given for its arrangement, they were + transporting his furniture to the apartments he was destined never to + inhabit, upon the very day of his death! + </p> + <p> + Did he fear that death would not fulfil his plighted promise! Did he + dread, that after having touched him with his icy hand, he would still + suffer him to linger upon earth? Did he feel that life would be almost + unendurable with its fondest ties broken, its closest links dissevered? + There is a double influence often felt by gifted temperaments when upon + the eve of some event which is to decide their fate. The eager heart, + urged on by a desire to unravel the mystic secrets of the unknown Future, + contradicts the colder, the more timid intellect, which fears to plunge + into the uncertain abyss of the coming fate! This want of harmony between + the simultaneous previsions of the mind and heart, often causes the + firmest spirits to make assertions which their actions seem to contradict; + yet actions and assertions both flow from the differing sources of an + equal conviction. Did Chopin suffer from this inevitable dissimilarity + between the prophetic whispers of the heart, and the thronging doubts of + the questioning mind? + </p> + <p> + From week to week, and soon from day to day, the cold shadow of death + gained upon him. His end was rapidly approaching; his sufferings became + more and more intense; his crises grew more frequent, and at each + accelerated occurrence, resembled more and more a mortal agony. He + retained his presence of mind, his vivid will upon their intermission, + until the last; neither losing the precision of his ideas, nor the clear + perception of his intentions. The wishes which he expressed in his short + moments of respite, evinced the calm solemnity with which he contemplated + the approach of death. He desired to be buried by the side of Bellini, + with whom, during the time of Bellini's residence in Paris, he had been + intimately acquainted. The grave of Bellini is in the cemetery of Pere + LaChaise, next to that of Cherubini. The desire of forming an acquaintance + with this great master whom he had been brought up to admire, was one of + the motives which, when he left Vienna in 1831 to go to London, induced + him, without foreseeing that his destiny would fix him there, to pass + through Paris. Chopin now sleeps between Bellini and Cherubini, men of + very dissimilar genius, and yet to both of whom he was in an equal degree + allied, as he attached as much value to the respect he felt for the + science of the one, as to the sympathy he acknowledged for the creations + of the other. Like the author of NORMA, he was full of melodic feeling, + yet he was ambitions of attaining the harmonic depth of the learned old + master; desiring to unite, in a great and elevated style, the dreamy + vagueness of spontaneous emotion with the erudition of the most consummate + masters. + </p> + <p> + Continuing the reserve of his manners to the very last, he did not request + to see any one for the last time; but he evinced the most touching + gratitude to all who approached him. The first days of October left + neither doubt nor hope. The fatal moment drew near. The next day, the next + hour, could no longer be relied upon. M. Gutman and his sister were in + constant attendance upon him, never for a single moment leaving him. The + Countess Delphine Potocka, who was then absent from Paris, returned as + soon as she was informed of his imminent danger. None of those who + approached the dying artist, could tear themselves from the spectacle of + this great and gifted soul in its hours of mortal anguish. + </p> + <p> + However violent or frivolous the passions may be which agitate our hearts, + whatever strength or indifference may be displayed in meeting unforeseen + or sudden accidents, which would seem necessarily overwhelming in their + effects, it is impossible to escape the impression made by the imposing + majesty of a lingering and beautiful death, which touches, softens, + fascinates and elevates even the souls the least prepared for such holy + and sublime emotions. The lingering and gradual departure of one among us + for those unknown shores, the mysterious solemnity of his secret dreams, + his commemoration of past facts and passing ideas when still breathing + upon the narrow strait which separates time from eternity, affect us more + deeply than any thing else in this world. Sudden catastrophes, the + dreadful alternations forced upon the shuddering fragile ship, tossed like + a toy by the wild breath of the tempest; the blood of the battle-field, + with the gloomy smoke of artillery; the horrible charnel-house into which + our own habitation is converted by a contagious plague; conflagrations + which wrap whole cities in their glittering flames; fathomless abysses + which open at our feet;—remove us less sensibly from all the + fleeting attachments "which pass, which can be broken, which cease," than + the prolonged view of a soul conscious of its own position, silently + contemplating the multiform aspects of time and the mute door of eternity! + The courage, the resignation, the elevation, the emotion, which reconcile + it with that inevitable dissolution so repugnant to all our instincts, + certainly impress the bystanders more profoundly than the most frightful + catastrophes, which, in the confusion they create, rob the scene of its + still anguish, its solemn meditation. + </p> + <p> + The parlor adjoining the chamber of Chopin was constantly occupied by some + of his friends, who, one by one, in turn, approached him to receive a sign + of recognition, a look of affection, when he was no longer able to address + them in words. On Sunday, the 15th of October, his attacks were more + violent and more frequent—lasting for several hours in succession. + He endured them with patience and great strength of mind. The Countess + Delphine Potocka, who was present, was much distressed; her tears were + flowing fast when he observed her standing at the foot of his bed, tall, + slight, draped in white, resembling the beautiful angels created by the + imagination of the most devout among the painters. Without doubt, he + supposed her to be a celestial apparition; and when the crisis left him a + moment in repose, he requested her to sing; they deemed him at first + seized with delirium, but he eagerly repeated his request. Who could have + ventured—to oppose his wish? The piano was rolled from his parlor to + the door of his chamber, while, with sobs in her voice, and tears + streaming down her cheeks, his gifted countrywoman sang. Certainly, this + delightful voice had never before attained an expression so full of + profound pathos. He seemed to suffer less as he listened. She sang that + famous Canticle to the Virgin, which, it is said, once saved the life of + Stradella. "How beautiful it is!" he exclaimed. "My God, how very + beautiful! Again—again!" Though overwhelmed with emotion, the + Countess had the noble courage to comply with the last wish of a friend, a + compatriot; she again took a seat at the piano, and sung a hymn from + Marcello. Chopin again feeling worse, everybody was seized with fright—by + a spontaneous impulse all who were present threw themselves upon their + knees—no one ventured to speak; the sacred silence was only broken + by the voice of the Countess, floating, like a melody from heaven, above + the sighs and sobs which formed its heavy and mournful + earth-accompaniment. It was the haunted hour of twilight; a dying light + lent its mysterious shadows to this sad scene—the sister of Chopin + prostrated near his bed, wept and prayed—and never quitted this + attitude of supplication while the life of the brother she had so + cherished lasted. + </p> + <p> + His condition altered for the worse during the night, but he felt more + tranquil upon Monday morning, and as if he had known in advance the + appointed and propitious moment, he asked to receive immediately the last + sacraments. In the absence of the Abbe ——, with whom he had + been very intimate since their common expatriation, he requested that the + Abbe Jelowicki, one of the most distinguished men of the Polish + emigration, should be sent for. When the holy Viaticum was administered to + him, he received it, surrounded by those who loved him, with great + devotion. He called his friends a short time afterwards, one by one, to + his bedside, to give each of them his last earnest blessing; calling down + the grace of God fervently upon themselves, their affections, and their + hopes,—every knee bent—every head bowed—all eyes were + heavy with tears—every heart was sad and oppressed—every soul + elevated. + </p> + <p> + Attacks more and more painful, returned and continued during the day; from + Monday night until Tuesday, he did not utter a single word. He did not + seem able to distinguish the persons who were around him. About eleven + o'clock on Tuesday evening, he appeared to revive a little. The Abbe + Jelowicki had never left him. Hardly had he recovered the power of speech, + than he requested him to recite with him the prayers and litanies for the + dying. He was able to accompany the Abbe in an audible and intelligible + voice. From this moment until his death, he held his head constantly + supported upon the shoulder of M. Gutman, who, during the whole course of + this sickness, had devoted his days and nights to him. + </p> + <p> + A convulsive sleep lasted until the 17th of October, 1849. The final agony + commenced about two o'clock; a cold sweat ran profusely from his brow; + after a short drowsiness, he asked, in a voice scarcely audible: "Who is + near me?" Being answered, he bent his head to kiss the hand of M. Gutman, + who still supported it—while giving this last tender proof of love + and gratitude, the soul of the artist left its fragile clay. He died as he + had lived—in loving. + </p> + <p> + When the doors of the parlor were opened, his friends threw themselves + around the loved corpse, not able to suppress the gush of tears. + </p> + <p> + His love for flowers being well known, they were brought in such + quantities the next day, that the bed in which they had placed them, and + indeed the whole room, almost disappeared, hidden by their varied and + brilliant hues. He seemed to repose in a garden of roses. His face + regained its early beauty, its purity of expression, its long unwonted + serenity. Calmly—with his youthful loveliness, so long dimmed by + bitter suffering, restored by death, he slept among the flowers he loved, + the last long and dreamless sleep! + </p> + <p> + M. Clesinger reproduced the delicate traits, to which death had rendered + their early beauty, in a sketch which he immediately modeled, and which he + afterwards executed in marble for his tomb. + </p> + <p> + The respectful admiration which Chopin felt for the genius of Mozart, had + induced him to request that his Requiem should be performed at his + obsequies; this wish was complied with. The funeral ceremonies took place + in the Madeleine Church, the 30th of October, 1849. They had been delayed + until this date, in order that the execution of this great work should be + worthy of the master and his disciple. The principal artists in Paris were + anxious to take part in it. The FUNERAL MARCH of Chopin, arranged for the + instruments for this occasion by M. Reber, was introduced at the Introit. + At the Offertory, M. Lefebure Vely executed his admirable PRELUDES in SI + and MI MINOR upon the organ. The solos of the REQUIEM were claimed by + Madame Viardot and Madame Castellan. Lablache, who had sung the TUBA MIRUM + of this REQUIEM at the burial of Beethoven in 1827, again sung it upon + this occasion. M. Meyerbeer, with Prince Adam Czartoryski, led the train + of mourners. The pall was borne by M. Delacroix, M. Franchomme, M. Gutman, + and Prince Alexander Czartorvski.—However insufficient these pages + may be to speak of Chopin as we would have desired, we hope that the + attraction which so justly surrounds his name, will compensate for much + that may be wanting in them. If to these lines, consecrated to the + commemoration of his works and to all that he held dear, which the sincere + esteem, enthusiastic regard, and intense sorrow for his loss, can alone + gift with persuasive and sympathetic power, it were necessary to add some + of the thoughts awakened in every man when death robs him of the loved + contemporaries of his youth, thus breaking the first ties linked by the + confiding and deluded heart with so much the greater pain if they were + strong enough to survive that bright period of young life, we would say + that in the same—year we have lost the two dearest friends we have + known on earth. One of them perished in the wild course of civil war. + Unfortunate and valiant hero! He fell with his burning courage unsubdued, + his intrepid calmness undisturbed, his chivalric temerity unabated, + through the endurance of the horrible tortures of a fearful death. He was + a Prince of rare intelligence, of great activity, of eminent faculties, + through whose veins the young blood circulated with the glittering ardor + of a subtle gas. By his own indefatigable energy he had just succeeded in + removing the difficulties which obstructed his path, in creating an arena + in which his faculties might hare displayed themselves with as much + success in debates and the management of civil affairs, as they had + already done in brilliant feats in arms. The other, Chopin, died slowly, + consuming himself in the flames of his own genius. His life, unconnected + with public events, was like some fact which has never been incorporated + in a material body. The traces of his existence are only to be found in + the works which he has left. He ended his days upon a foreign soil, which + he never considered as his country, remaining faithful in the devotion of + his affections to the eternal widowhood of his own. He was a Poet of a + mournful soul, full of reserve and complicated mystery, and familiar with + the stern face of sorrow. + </p> + <p> + The immediate interest which we felt in the movements of the parties to + which the life of Prince Felix Lichnowsky was bound, was broken by his + death: the death of Chopin has robbed us of all the consolations of an + intelligent and comprehensive friendship. The affectionate sympathy with + our feelings, with our manner of understanding art, of which this + exclusive artist has given us so many proofs, would have softened the + disappointment and weariness which yet await us, and have strengthened is + in our earliest tendencies, confirmed us in our first essays. + </p> + <p> + Since it has fallen to our lot to survive them, we wish at least to + express the sincere regret we feel for their loss. We deem ourselves bound + to offer the homage of our deep and respectful sorrow upon the grave of + the remarkable musician who has just passed from among us. Music is at + present receiving such great and general development, that it reminds us + of that which took place in painting in the fourteenth and fifteenth + centuries. Even the artists who limited the productions of their genius to + the margins of parchments, painted their miniatures with an inspiration so + happy, that having broken through the Byzantine stiffness, they left the + most exquisite types, which the Francias, the Peruginos, and the Raphaels + to come were to transport to their frescos, and introduce upon their + canvas. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + There have been people among whom, in order to preserve the memory of + their great men or the signal events of their history, it was the custom + to form pyramids composed of the stones which each passer-by was expected + to bring to the pile, which gradually increased to an unlooked-for height + from the anonymous contributions of all. Monuments are still in our days + erected by an analogous proceeding, but in place of building only a rude + and unformed hillock, in consequence of a fortunate combination the + contribution of all concurs in the creation of some work of art, which is + not only destined to perpetuate the mute remembrance which they wish to + honor, but which may have the power to awaken in future ages the feelings + which gave birth to such creation, the emotions of the contemporaries + which called it into being. The subscriptions which are opened to raise + statues and noble memorials to those who have rendered their epoch or + country illustrious, originate in this design. Immediately after the death + of Chopin, M. Camille Pleyel conceived a project of this kind. He + commenced a subscription, (which conformably to the general expectation + rapidly amounted to a considerable sum,) to have the monument modeled by + M. Clesinger, executed in marble and placed in the Pere La-Chaise. In + thinking over our long friendship with Chopin; on the exceptional + admiration which we have always felt for him ever since his appearance in + the musical world; remembering that, artist like himself, we have been the + frequent interpreter of his inspirations, an interpreter, we may safely + venture to say, loved and chosen by himself; that we have more frequently + than others received from his own lips the spirit of his style; that we + were in some degree identified with his creations in art, and with the + feelings which he confided to it, through that long and constant + assimilation which obtains between a writer and his translator;—we + have fondly thought that these connective circumstances imposed upon us a + higher and nearer duty than that of merely adding an unformed and + anonymous stone to the growing pyramid of homage which his contemporaries + are elevating to him. We believed that the claims of a tender friendship + for our illustrious colleague, exacted from us a more particular + expression of our profound regret, of our high admiration. It appeared to + us that we would not be true to ourselves, did we not court the honor of + inscribing our name, our deep affliction, upon his sepulchral stone! This + should be granted to those who never hope to fill the void in their hearts + left by an irreparable loss!... + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Life of Chopin, by Franz Liszt + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIFE OF CHOPIN *** + +***** This file should be named 4386-h.htm or 4386-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/4/3/8/4386/ + +Produced by John Mamoun, David Widger and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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