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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e086f5e --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #62742 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/62742) diff --git a/old/62742-0.txt b/old/62742-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index efbbdbd..0000000 --- a/old/62742-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,2995 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Ludwig Van Beethoven (Life Stories for -Young People), by Franz Hoffman and George P. Upton - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Ludwig Van Beethoven (Life Stories for Young People) - -Author: Franz Hoffman - George P. Upton - -Release Date: July 23, 2020 [EBook #62742] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN *** - - - - -Produced by D A Alexander, Stephen Hutcheson, and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net -(This file was produced from images generously made -available by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - - [Illustration: _When the child saw him he shrank back afraid, and hid - his face in his mother’s dress_ (Page 17)] - - _Life Stories for Young People_ - - - - - LUDWIG VAN - BEETHOVEN - - - _Translated from the German of - Franz Hoffmann_ - - BY - GEORGE P. UPTON - _Translator of “Memories,” etc._ - - THIRD PRINTING - - [Illustration: A. C. McCLURG & CO.] - - CHICAGO - A. C. McCLURG & CO. - 1910 - - Copyright - A. C. McClurg & Co. - 1904 - Published October 1, 1904 - - THE UNIVERSITY PRESS - CAMBRIDGE, U. S. A. - - - - - Preface - - -The life-story of Beethoven, contained in these pages, is a _résumé_ of -the events of his childhood and youth, those of his maturer years being -merely indicated in order to give symmetry to the narrative. It covers -just that period of his life in which young readers are likely to be -interested. Those who have the leisure and inclination to study the -details of his entire career will find them in the biographies of -Schindler, Ries, Marx, Thayer, and others, but it is questionable -whether any of these will bring the reader as closely to the actual man -and musician as this little story. And this is so not only because it is -a story, but because it is a story true to life, with actual, not -imaginary, personages, set in a social, domestic, and musical -environment which is accurately reproduced, and dealing with historical -events which are correctly stated. In a strict sense, therefore, it is -not fiction, far less is it rhapsody; and to this extent it is valuable -not alone for facts charmingly set forth, but for effects which are -realistic and which seem to bring the actual Beethoven before the -reader. It is the story of a sad struggle against obstacles which -sometimes appeared almost insuperable; but its lesson for youth is the -reward of world-wide fame which followed the exercise of industry, -courage, honesty, self-respect, and self-devotion to his calling. The -translator has endeavored to reproduce the story in an English setting -without sacrificing its charming German characteristics. - - G. P. U. - -Chicago, September 1, 1904. - - - - - Contents - - - In Childhood 11 - The Walk 26 - New Friends 49 - A Merciful Punishment 65 - In Vienna 83 - The End 108 - Appendix 117 - - - - - List of Illustrations - - - When the child saw him he shrank back afraid, and hid his face - in his mother’s dress _Frontispiece_ - _Facing page_ - With an exclamation of joy he embraced Wegeler 34 - Beethoven approached within a couple of steps of the Elector, - the latter scrutinizing him with a sharp glance 77 - He had lost his hearing. Ries tried to console and calm him 109 - - - - - {lyre} Beethoven {lyre} - - - - - _In Childhood_ - - -December days are not usually considered the most agreeable or most -comfortable days of the year, but no December day could have been more -disagreeable or uncomfortable than the seventeenth of that month in -1774. A dense, almost impenetrable fog enveloped that afternoon the city -of Bonn on the Rhine, and the country for miles around, in a cold, gray -veil of mist, through which hardly a ray of sunshine could find its way. -A fine rain, mingled with occasional flakes of snow, drizzled through -the fog and made the pavements slippery and filthy. Everything one -looked upon, whether animate or inanimate, seemed disagreeable. The sky -was disagreeable. Disagreeably the trees and shrubs in avenues and -gardens shook their leafless branches to free them from the frozen -raindrops which weighed them down. The houses in the street were -disagreeable, and their usually attractive and brightly lighted windows -appeared that day most inhospitable. Disagreeably and sullenly the rooks -sat upon the roof-tops, and the sparrows themselves, usually the -sauciest and jolliest companions among the feathered folk, fluttered -about anxiously, deserted each other, and sought the warmest and driest -little nooks in the cornices, or near a warm chimney, without any -concern for the rest of the world. If two acquaintances met on the -street, the one greeted the other with a woe-begone countenance. -Everything seemed depressed and disagreeable—the huckster women in the -market, the sentries at their posts, the few pedestrians on the -promenade, and the few faces which appeared here and there at the -darkened windows and looked with lonesome gaze into the tedious, gray, -dense, cold fog. - -No person or object, however, appeared more irritable, morose, and -disagreeable than the court musician and singer, Herr Johann van -Beethoven,[1] who hurried through the unfriendly streets of Bonn, on the -third hour of that afternoon, frequently muttering to himself -imprecations and other exclamations to relieve his feelings. - -“What weather!” he growled, as he wrapped his threadbare cloak around -him more closely, when, in turning a street corner, a sharp gust of wind -smote him fiercely. “Everything goes wrong in these ill-fated days. It -is enough to drive one mad. Two hours lost already this morning. Now I -am sent for again to make music because my lady is not in good humor! Do -these distinguished people think that a musician of His Most Serene -Highness, Max Franz,[2] Elector of Cologne, is a bootblack? I am tired -of it all! And this weather, too! Nothing but fog and rain, and not a -kreuzer in one’s pocket! There may be those who can bear such things -patiently. I can’t. Pah! The innkeeper will trust me once more. I will -go to him, and better thoughts will come with something to strengthen -the heart and some lively company.” - -Muttering these words, he turned into a side street, and after a few -hundred paces entered a house, over the door of which hung a green -wreath, signifying that wine was sold there. It was not until twilight -fell, and the streets, already darkened by the fog, became doubly dark, -that he came out. Another person followed, escorting him with a light, -evidently so that he might not stumble upon the door-sill. - -“Good-night, Herr van Beethoven,” this person said. “I must look after -my own interests. I must have the money in eight days, or credit stops. -I also am the father of a family, Herr van Beethoven, and must take care -of my own.” - -“Don’t make so many words, gossip,” replied the musician with some -bitterness. “I give you my word of honor. You know me. Can you not act -generously with me?” - -The musician went on his way. The other, evidently the keeper of the -wine-shop, looked after him, shaking his head. - -“What a pity,” he said to himself. “He well deserves better fortune. He -is a pleasant, good-natured companion, but certainly his position as a -member of the court chapel pays him but little, and it costs money to -feed a wife and two little children. But he is past help. I cannot give -him credit longer than eight days at the most. He already owes me too -much.” - -While the wine-shop keeper was making these reflections, his guest found -his way with difficulty through the dark streets. Had it been lighter, -one would have noticed by his actions that his craving for a “heart -strengthener” had in no way bettered his condition. On the contrary, he -appeared even more sullen and morose than when he found it. His brow was -wrinkled. His lips, tightly closed by his bitter feelings, opened only -to utter imprecations and words of discontent, as they had done a little -while before. - -After walking around for about five minutes he reached the Bonn Gasse. -Here he lived in a small, narrow, dark part of the “Graus Haus.”[3] He -entered boisterously, and with great difficulty climbed the dark, narrow -staircase. - -“Is it you, Johann?” asked a gentle voice on the floor above, while at -the same time a gleam of light illumined the darkness. - -“It is I,” replied the musician sullenly. “Have I come home a little too -early, Marie?” - -“Never too early, and you are always welcome, Johann,” replied the first -voice, with the same gentleness as before. A pretty but somewhat faded -woman stepped forward and cordially gave her hand to her husband to -assist him up the last steps.[4] “What is the matter, Johann? You seem -so gloomy! Think of it, this is the birthday of our little Ludwig.”[5] - -The husband was visibly surprised, and pressed his hand to his brow. - -“That I should have forgotten it!” he exclaimed. “But,” he added -bitterly, “how would it have helped matters, anyway? I have not a -kreuzer with which to make the little one happy.” - -“Oh! do not let that trouble you, dear husband,” replied his wife, -smiling. “Ludwig is happy enough, and cares nothing for presents and the -like. If you would sing a little bit to him and play the piano a little -he would be perfectly contented.” - -“Certainly he can have that much, and at least it costs nothing,” -replied Johann Beethoven in a somewhat more cheerful manner, as he -returned the cordial handshake of his wife. “Yes, I will sing and play, -and thereby drive the bad spirit of discontent out of my soul.” - -The two stepped into a small, narrow, meanly furnished apartment, where -they were welcomed with a loud cry of joy by a little four-year-old boy, -who stretched out both his little hands to his mother. He may have been -somewhat timid in the dark room, and the sight of his mother returning -with the light elicited from him the outcry. It had little consolation -for the father, however, for when the child saw him he shrank back -afraid, and hid his face in the folds of his mother’s dress. - -“Be polite, Ludwig, dear child,” she said kindly to him. “It is your -father. Give him a pat of the hand.” - -The boy timidly stretched out his hand, but his father did not take it. -It was evident the child’s conduct had displeased him, for his eyes were -again gloomy and his brows wrinkled. - -“It’s of no use,” he said, repulsing the mother, who sought to -conciliate her husband. “I know already what you will say, ‘Children are -children, and I’—well, certainly I am not always the tenderest of -fathers to his own. But how can one be so when there is nothing for him -but poverty, wretchedness, and thirstiness?” - -Ill-humoredly he threw off his cloak, and with a gloomy countenance -paced to and fro in the narrow chamber. Ludwig and his mother quietly -withdrew to a corner. She could scarcely keep back the tears. Her little -son clung to her anxiously and tenderly. - -Some minutes passed in gloomy, oppressive stillness. At last Johann -Beethoven, without saying a word, seated himself at the piano and -touched the keys. The tender tones which he drew from the instrument -seemed gradually to allay his agitation and brighten his darkened -countenance. He played on, and finally began the pleasant melody of a -folk-song, gently humming it at first, and then singing it with the full -power of his voice. - -Upon hearing the first tones of the song, the little Ludwig raised his -head and fixed his gaze with rapt attention and glistening eyes upon his -father. As he began to sing aloud, the boy got down from his mother’s -lap and, step by step, unheard by his father, approached him, until he -stood close by his side, and clung to him as tenderly as he had clung to -his mother a moment before. All his fears were dispelled by the -soothing, gentle tones of the music. He listened only to them. All else -was buried and forgotten. His eyes were raised to heaven, he stood -transfixed, and his young soul fluttered, as if on wings, among the soft -modulations of the simple yet heart-stirring, beautiful melody of the -song. - -His father stopped abruptly, turned round, and saw the child standing -near him, as it were, in a kind of ecstasy. - -“Ha! Ludwig, are you dreaming?” he asked, not harshly as before, but -with an entirely changed and softer tone. - -“No, father, I was only listening to you,” replied the child, “and it -seemed to me that I heard an angel singing in heaven. It was beautiful. -Oh, if I could only play something too!” - -“Try it,” said his father encouragingly, as he placed the boy’s fingers -upon the keys. “Keep your fingers firm and let them follow as I guide -them.” - -The little Ludwig was greatly pleased. His father repeated the melody -which had so much delighted him. After he had played it a few times, the -boy said: - -“It is all right now, father. Now I can play it all alone.” - -“Oho!” said his father. “You can hardly do that yet. You are venturing a -little too far.” - -“Only let me try,” persisted the boy. - -His father let him do as he wished. He seated himself at the piano; at -first he ran his fingers over the keys and then accurately began the -folk melody, which he played smoothly to the end without hesitation or -mistake. - -His father, who had not expected any kind of excellence in the -performance, sat as if spell-bound and regarded the boy with wide-open -eyes. - -“Youngster, truly there is more in you than I have expected or thought -of until to-day,” he exclaimed, and, taking him upon his knee, he kissed -his fresh, young lips. “You will yet become a finished musician, and a -support for your father and mother.” - -“I wish for nothing better than to be able to make music correctly,” -said the boy, as he joyfully clapped his hands. - -“Good! No one shall prevent you, and I myself will be your teacher,” -said his father. “If you are truly industrious, you will get ahead -wonderfully, provided you do not go too fast and will practise -regularly.” - -No sooner said than done. The father began at once to teach his son the -piano and the violin. At first it seemed as if both father and son would -enjoy the work. But it was only at first. It was soon apparent that the -little Ludwig was possessed of the most extraordinary obstinacy. The -continual finger and other dry exercises soon disgusted him, and he -played them with unconcealed and extreme reluctance. He was willing to -be faithful in his piano practice, but only in his own, not in his -father’s way. Owing to the latter’s temper, this sometimes occasioned -violent scenes. Johann Beethoven was easily excited to anger, and once -irritated he lost all control of himself. He hurled taunts and -reproaches at the boy, and boxed his ears; but Ludwig bore it all with -unyielding firmness, and confronted his father defiantly in these -outbreaks. Then his mother would weep and earnestly beseech her husband -to have patience with the boy, who was too little and childish to -understand. She usually appeased his anger, for, in reality, he was kind -and tender-hearted. The stubborn little fellow likewise could not long -withstand the piteous appeals of his mother. His defiant heart at last -would yield to her caresses, and for a while he would good-naturedly -submit to his father’s directions. - -But of course it was only for a little while. His old obstinacy would -continually block the way, and sometimes the situation would become so -intolerable that the boy would declare he would have nothing more to do -with music. The violent outbreaks would occur afresh. Reproaches, -threats, and punishment were not spared, but they served only to make -the boy still more obstinate and completely to harden him against his -father. In fact, the danger that the little Beethoven might abandon -music altogether could not have been averted had not the happy influence -of his mother’s loving appeals continually drawn him back to its sweet -diversion. - -There was still another thing that kept the sacred flame alive in the -breast of the boy, and that was the frequent absence of his father, -which permitted him to follow the inclinations of his own caprice and -pleasure, and to draw beautiful accords and melodies, now from the -piano, now from the violin. - -Upon one occasion, when his father had treated him with unusual severity -and had looked at him threateningly, the boy fled with his violin to his -little bed-chamber, and there, shut out from all the world, gave vent to -his anger and his sorrow in mournful tones. As this did not help to -allay his inward tumults his mother, as a last expedient, adopted a -course which always had the happiest result; namely, she told him of his -dead grandfather,[6] of whom the boy had preserved active and loving -memories, and whose life-sized portrait hung in his chamber, thus -keeping him freshly in remembrance. - -This grandfather in his lifetime was a highly esteemed and distinguished -man, and had served as chapelmaster for Max Frederick of Cologne. The -little Ludwig looked up to him as an exemplar for his future life. When -his mother told him how beautifully he sang in the opera, what a fine, -stately man he was, and how high he stood in the favor of his electoral -patron, the boy listened with the most eager attention to every word, -and not infrequently exclamations would escape from him, such as, “I -shall have as great success,” or, “I shall become a famous man also, -mother.” - -Then the patient woman smiled, kissed the boy’s red cheeks, and all that -had happened before between father and son was buried in the sea of -forgetfulness. - -Some years passed in this way, ending as unsatisfactorily for the father -as for the son. The former, when the little Ludwig was seven years old, -at last realized that his method of teaching was not adapted to him and -that they must look about for another and more suitable teacher. -Fortunately they found such a one, first in the person of chapelmaster -Pfeiffer,[7] later in court organist Van den Eeden,[8] and then in court -organist Neefe,[9] all of whom instructed him in piano, violin, and -organ playing; also in composition. - -Ludwig now made rapid and truly astonishing progress in his art. The -applause of his teachers was accorded to him in most plentiful measure. -He developed into a capable and thorough musician. Every one who knew -him esteemed and loved him; and yet the already mature boy was not -inwardly happy. There was a secret sorrow in his breast, which -embittered his life and dispelled all his joyousness. He never had a -glowing face and laughing eyes, like other young men of his age. Silent, -reserved, and absorbed in himself, he went his way, and many a one who -saw him walking sadly through the streets of Bonn looked wonderingly -after him, and probably said, “That is a strange expression of -countenance for such a young fellow to wear.” - -Indeed, people knew not what oppressed the young Beethoven and what had -prematurely given him such a serious and melancholy disposition. -Fortunately, however, the time was not far distant which would bring him -a friend in whom he could fully confide, and to whom he could -unreservedly pour out all the cares and troubles of his heart. - - - - - _The Walk_ - - -A divine spring day filled the beautiful Rhine valley with radiance and -light. The surface of the river glistened as if strewn with thousands of -diamonds. On the not far away “Sieben Gebirge”[10] hung a blue haze, -like a fine transparent veil, not concealing, but only beautifying and -softening the rugged outlines of the peaks. The island of Nonnenwerth, -with its bright green foliage, was set in the river like an emerald, and -high above it on the left bank gleamed the red ruins of the old castle -of Rolandseck[11]—a suggestion of the flight of time in the midst of the -peaceful, restful, perfect beauty of the present. - -It was Sunday. Near and far sounded the peal of bells. The crisp tones -from the little chapels and village churches mingled harmoniously with -the deep diapason of the great church bells in Bonn, and with their -trembling vibrations filled the beautiful landscape, which seemed -listening in prostrate devotion. Hardly any other sound than that of the -bells could be distinguished. Even the little song-birds, which a short -time before had chirped and twittered loudly and joyously, were now -quiet. Sunday peace and Sunday silence rested upon city and plain. - -A young man slowly walked along a path which leads from Bonn down to the -Rhine, threading its way through fields and meadows. He was simply and -somewhat shabbily but neatly clad. One forgot, however, his modest -attire as one looked into the face of the wanderer and saw those eyes in -which ever and anon bright gleams sparkled and revealed the holy fire in -his spirit. For the moment he had no regard for the beauty of -surrounding nature. He only listened. His soul was floating, as it were, -in a sea of tones, which, now loudly, now softly, like the breaking of -ocean waves on the shore, forced themselves upon his tensely strained -nerves and filled him with emotion. For a time he gazed up into the -bright blue sky with gleaming eyes, and folded his hands upon his -breast, like one in ecstasy, as if thereby he could relieve this flood -of rapture. Then he advanced a few steps, but again paused, and, -muttering to himself some unintelligible exclamations, flung both hands -suddenly and wildly about in the air. - -He continued for a moment this strange action, which not only would have -caused a quiet passerby to smile, but might have amazed him. His -amazement, however, would have lasted only until he had seen the -piercing eyes of the young man and the lofty expression upon his brow, -around which hung thick, bushy hair like a lion’s mane. His eyes and -forehead saved him from the ridicule which his otherwise insignificant -appearance might have excited, and made it, if not exalted, at least -entitled to respect. - -Softly the bells pealed on. Only a gentle and gradually dying away -murmur trembled in the almost motionless air. The young man remained -immovable, his head bowed upon his breast, until the last vibrations had -died away. Then, like one awakening from a dream, he raised his head and -looked around with a quiet, gentle glance. He was already within a few -hundred steps of the Rhine, and on the opposite shore gleamed brightly -and hospitably the houses of Königswinter,[12] above which rose the -lofty, huge, and majestic peaks of the Seven Mountains. - -“I will go over there,” he said to himself. “The day is so beautiful, -one should improve it.” - -With quick steps he went down to the bank of the river and sprang into -one of the boats lying there, saying to the boatman the single word, -“Across.” - -Arrived on the other side, he threw the boatman a little silver piece -and then took the first, best road he came to and went on at random. -Soon he found himself in a shadowy beech wood, whose light green leaves -rustled high above him. In one lighter spot he could see the blue sky -through the foliage, and here and there a sunbeam found its way through -the dense leaves and glistened at the young wanderer’s feet like a -sparkling jewel or a bright silver shield. - -There were no people in the wood. The bustle of the world did not -penetrate its dusky recesses, but, notwithstanding this, there was -joyousness and liveliness in its broad, dark halls. Numberless songbirds -swung on the slender branches or flew lightly from bough to bough. The -finches warbled their lively, rollicking songs. The blackbirds and song -thrushes sang their soft and yet full-toned strophes. In the distance -the cuckoo intoned its name. The young wanderer heard and watched it -all, and, filled with happy feelings, his face wore a more cheerful -aspect. No sound in this beautiful solitude escaped his acute ears,—not -the rustle of the leaves when a gentle breeze stirred them; not the -light gurgling and splashing of the little brook along the bank of which -his course led him; not the rush of the water when it plunged over rocks -and made pretty little waterfalls; not the tapping of the woodpecker, -whose strong bill pierced the bark of the tree that concealed insects -and larvæ; not the sharp scream of a large bird of prey, high overhead; -and, least of all, the ravishing song of a nightingale, which suddenly -rose from a thicket close by the side of the lonely wanderer, so full, -so tender, so pensive and heart-stirring, that he remained motionless -and forgot all else that he might listen only to this wonderful, -inspiring song. - -“Brava, bravissima,” he involuntarily exclaimed, as the lovely singer -shook its pretty feathers, and then, following a gently alluring call, -probably the cry of its mate, flew as swiftly as an arrow through the -bushes. “The utmost that can be accomplished in a bird’s throat is in -thy song, charming Philomel; but the artist still must create the higher -things,—so high that they bring him near to the divine. And this height -I will and shall attain, with God’s help.” - -The young man uttered these last words loudly in the wood, but hardly -had he done so when a merry and mocking laugh came back in reply. For an -instant he felt a little frightened, but immediately recovered himself, -and angrily answered: - -“Who laughs there? I hope no one here is making sport of me.” - -“I have taken the liberty to do so,” said a young man, stepping forward -from behind the trunk of a beech-tree and making a low bow with a -slightly ironical smile. “If you wish to resent it, honorable sir, I -herewith surrender myself to your merciful judgment.” - -The angry frown which his words had caused disappeared, and Beethoven -good-naturedly extended his hand, which the stranger cordially shook. - -“Very learned Franz Gerhard Wegeler,[13] worthy student of medicine,” he -said, “what chance brought you into this solitude, where I fancied I was -all alone and far from the human rabble?” - -“Doubtless the same chance which brought my melodious friend here,” -replied the other. “Yes, my excellent master of tone, my Ludwig van -Beethoven, it was the blue sky and golden sun which enticed me out of -the dull study-room into God’s glorious world, where at least one can -get a breath of fresh air and enjoy the wonderful works of the Almighty. -Was not that your object also, worthy pupil of Mistress Musica?” - -Ludwig nodded assent. “For all that, it is a strange and remarkable -chance that we should have met each other in this solitary wood,” he -said. - -“Not altogether strange and not very wonderful, my dear fellow,” replied -Wegeler, “for in crossing the Rhine I engaged the same boatman who took -you over. Knowing that we were old acquaintances, he told me that you -had crossed scarcely half an hour before, and were roving about in this -wood. As I would rather have company than walk alone, I followed your -trail, found you lost in ecstasy over a nightingale, and finally -learned, for you announced it in an exceedingly loud tone of voice, that -you intended shortly to soar to the very Deity. That made me laugh; but -you will excuse me when you reflect that the ascent to the Deity is a -somewhat difficult performance for one of your years, unless you make -what they call a ‘salto mortale’ (deadly leap). It is the easiest way in -the world to break one’s neck or bones.” - -Ludwig again frowned a little, but quickly smoothed his brow with his -hand, as if wiping away all troubles and gloomy thoughts. “You are -right,” said he. “I was a fool to entertain such bold fancies and daring -hopes. And this, too, in my melancholy circumstances and wretched -plight! It is not possible. I was mad, that I was.” With these last -words such deep dejection manifested itself in his countenance that -Wegeler suddenly felt the warmest sympathy for the young man. - -“What is the matter? Why do you speak of wretchedness and melancholy, -Ludwig?” he cordially said, as he threw his arm around his much younger -friend and drew him affectionately toward him. - -“Ah! you know not—no one knows—what it is that depresses and weighs me -down,” answered Ludwig. “Poverty is such a heavy burden. It rests like a -load upon the pinions of the soul. Oh, it is awful to feel here, here in -one’s inmost soul, that one could accomplish the great and the -beautiful, and yet not be able to do it because he lacks a few miserable -gulden and kreuzers. It is hard, Wegeler.” - -Tears stood in young Beethoven’s eyes, and his lips quivered in the -effort to repress his emotions. Wegeler’s eyes rested with an expression -of deep sympathy upon the dejected figure which he had seen only a short -time before exulting in the joyousness of hope. - -“Ludwig,” he said,—and his voice had an unusually tender tone,—“I pray -you, open your heart to me, and do not conceal what troubles and -oppresses you. I feel for you as for a true and sincere friend. Take me -for your friend and then speak, for you know between true heart-friends -there should be no restraint, no secrets.” - -“Friend!” said Ludwig. “Would you actually be my true friend?” - -“To the last hour of my life. I swear it,” said Wegeler, in such an -honest manner that his sincerity could not be doubted. - -Ludwig understood him and was comforted. With an exclamation of joy he -embraced Wegeler and kissed him. “So we are friends, always friends,” he -cried. “Oh, how I have longed for a soul that could and would understand -me, and lo, at last I have found one. Now you shall learn, dear, good -Wegeler, what has disturbed my soul and checked its flights. I am not -happy, and the cause of my unhappiness, alas, is my father’s conduct. I -have kept this melancholy secret deeply hidden in my breast, but here, -where no one but the dear God and the little birds can hear, I will -disclose it.” - - [Illustration: _With an exclamation of joy he embraced Wegeler_] - -He told in passionate words how his father’s temper had made him suffer -from the days of his childhood, of that father’s insatiable craving for -drink, and how, on that account, the family often had to go without the -necessaries of life. - -“Though my father naturally is good-natured,” he went on, “this craving -makes him exceedingly irritable and sometimes violent. His habits drive -him to extremes. At one moment he is a tender father, at the next a -cruel tyrant. The despair of it all is that when necessity and trouble -press hardest he has no patience to bear, but seeks consolation and -forgetfulness in wine. This is my heaviest burden, for, so long as he -cannot resist drinking, there is no hope of better conditions for our -family. My mother, my good, true, tender mother, secretly weeps, and -bears her hard lot with Christian calmness. But I and my two younger -brothers[14] suffer unspeakably, and many a time I have been tempted to -throw myself into the Rhine and end all my miseries.” - -“Calm yourself, dear boy,” said Wegeler soothingly. “Don’t be so -vehement. I am free to acknowledge that your situation is bad and gloomy -enough, but bad as it is, some relief will be found. Let me think it -over. For the present banish your sad thoughts, and let us enjoy the -delicious atmosphere, the blue sky, the green woods, and the sparkling -sunshine. This is not a day for melancholy. Cheer up! Let us go farther -into the wood and visit my good friends, the monks of the Heisterbach -cloister. We shall be well received there, and in any case find a good -breakfast, which doubtless we shall greatly relish after the morning -tramp.” - -Ludwig was ready to accept his friend’s guidance. They sprang up from -the mossy bank upon which they had been sitting during their -conversation, and followed a small, scarcely perceptible footpath that -led through the wood. Wegeler chattered about everything possible, told -his new friend many humorous and pleasant stories, and quickly succeeded -in cheering him up. When they reached the Heisterbach cloister, shortly -before noon, Ludwig’s melancholy had given place to a somewhat defiant -but still good humor. - -At the entrance to the grounds sat the Father Doorkeeper, apparently -basking in the sunshine. He regarded the new-comers with a pleasant -smile on his broad, rosy face. “Welcome, Herr Studiosus,” he said to -Wegeler,—for he had made his acquaintance in previous visits. “Have you -been here long? The Abbot and the others also will be glad to see you -again. Enter without any ceremony—that way—but you already know the way -to the refectory.” - -“God’s greeting for your friendly reception, Father Doorkeeper,” replied -Wegeler. “We come hungry and thirsty, and kindly ask you for a cordial.” - -“Apply to the chief cook. You may be certain he knows no greater -pleasure than feeding the hungry and providing a strengthening cordial.” - -Wegeler bowed and proceeded with Ludwig through the forecourt, which, -with its flower-beds, fountains, and cleanly kept gravel walks, looked -like a garden. Arrived at the abbey, they were cordially greeted anew -and escorted to the refectory,—a cool hall, with great Gothic window -recesses, in which, so roomy were they, tables with stone slabs were -standing. The monk cordially invited them to be seated at one of these -tables and then left to announce in kitchen and cellar that two beloved -guests laid claim to hospitality. In reply to the Father Chief Cook he -gave the name of the student Wegeler, and at once several ministering -spirits actively began to prepare food and drink in abundance for the -welcome strangers. Hardly ten minutes after the arrival of Wegeler and -Ludwig a hearty breakfast was served upon the side table, which was -covered with a neat cloth, and then came the Father Cellar-Master -striding along, under each arm a carafe of costly, sparkling golden -wine, from which he filled the glasses of his guests. - -Wegeler and Ludwig thoroughly enjoyed the pleasure of this large-hearted -hospitality, and paid it due honor by partaking abundantly of the food -and emptying more than one glass of the delicious wine. The monks asked -for the latest news in Bonn, the cream of which Wegeler was giving them, -when the Abbot himself, with his friend the Father Lector,[15] appeared, -and greeted his guests with the same friendliness the other inmates of -the abbey had shown. Naturally he was somewhat reserved with Ludwig, as -he did not yet know him, and only recognized him with a nod of the head; -but he was soon engaged in a lively conversation with Wegeler about the -affairs of the new university at Bonn, in which the venerable man showed -a special interest. - -As Ludwig could take no part in this conversation, and as the attention -of all the other cloister brothers was also devoted to the Abbot and -Wegeler, he found time hanging heavily. He arose, slipped out of the -refectory unnoticed, and enjoyed himself strolling around the abbey and -the grounds, observing and admiring notable and interesting objects. -While thus wandering about at pleasure, he came to the beautiful church -of the abbey, and at once noticed its large handsome organ, which -naturally had a greater attraction for him as a musician than anything -else. He went up into the choir, scrutinized the organ closely, and -admired its beautiful construction. - -“It is too bad the organ-blower is not here,” he said aloud, for he did -not suppose there was any one else in the church. “It would be the -greatest pleasure to me to try such a splendid organ.” - -“Ho! ho! who is talking there?” said an entirely unexpected voice, and -out of the organ-blower’s closet stepped a serving brother, who regarded -Ludwig with astonishment. “How is this?” he went on. “Did I not hear -something about Monsieur wishing he could play the organ? Are you the -Monsieur who wanted an organ-blower?” - -“Certainly, it must have been I, since no one else but ourselves is at -present in the church,” replied Ludwig. - -“But,” said the man in amazement, and looking somewhat doubtfully at the -short, thick-set figure of Beethoven, “does Monsieur say that he can -play the organ?” - -“Certainly,” replied Ludwig; “I could easily convince you if only there -were a blower at hand who was willing to serve me.” - -“I am the organ-blower,” said the man, shaking his head and still -somewhat doubtful. “If you are really in earnest about playing the organ -I will right gladly offer my service.” - -“That is fine, perfectly splendid,” cried Ludwig exultantly. “To your -post, worthy colleague. We will both take the utmost pains and each one -of us do his best.” - -Still dubiously and suspiciously shaking his head, the organ-blower took -his place, but left the door ajar so that no tone of the young man’s -playing should escape him. Ludwig seated himself, struck the keys with -his strong hands, and evoked from the splendid instrument a stream, a -full volume of tones, such as had never been heard in the church before. -Majestically they rang through the church like the thunder of the Lord. -Then suddenly there were soft and gentle tones like the vibrations of -the harp, a heavenly melody, sung as it were by the voices of angels, -anon pealing out grandly in a majestic hymn, like a song of praise from -the heavens and the earth, glorifying the Eternal, the only God, the -Almighty Creator of heaven and earth. Powerful as the solemn tones had -been, they died away again to a soft and lovely piano, until at the -close the last sound exhaled itself like a breath and seemed softly to -disappear among the lofty columns of the choir. - -Beethoven, who had sat like one entranced during his wonderful playing, -and had looked upwards with fixed, wide-open eyes, now came to himself, -wiped the perspiration from his heated brow, and drew a deep sigh. - -“Young man, who taught you to play like that?” said a man in the dress -of the order, advancing out of the dusk of the organ-loft. “Truly, you -play magnificently. I have never heard such execution before. Who taught -you this?” - -“I taught myself,” Beethoven replied curtly and somewhat aggressively. - -“Then be doubly greeted and doubly welcome, noble disciple of the art, -who sometime will make a high and mighty eagle’s flight,” said the monk -with deep earnestness as he grasped the young man’s hand. “Turn not away -from me. I am also a member of the great guild which has devoted its -lifework to Mistress Musica. I am the Father Organist of the abbey, and -hence I am qualified to appreciate and admire your wonderful art.” - -Beethoven’s darkening countenance quickly lightened up as he recognized -in the venerable monk not an officious, inquisitive person, but a -colleague, and he warmly returned the grasp of his hand. - -“I thank you for your kindness, Father,” he gently replied, “but you -praise me too highly. I am not yet worthy of it, but I hope and shall -strive to deserve it sometime. But now, what can I do to show my -gratitude for your gracious words?” - -“Repeat what you have just played, my son,” said the father. “Your -playing has touched my old heart powerfully. Those were not earthly -tones; they were the harmonies and melodies of heaven.” - -“No, no; that was only a free Fantasie of my own,” said Ludwig. “To -repeat it would be somewhat of a task, but I will gladly play something -else for you, if you will wait a moment.” - -The father nodded assent and retired to a dark corner, where he could -abandon himself to his anticipated enjoyment without any danger of being -disturbed. Beethoven ran his fingers over the keys several times, as if -searching for a theme, until he found a soft old melody, which he played -through in simple, noble style, and then varied with marvellous skill -and ingenuity. As the ravishing tones powerfully and ever more -powerfully rang out, the church gradually filled up. The monks slipped -in in groups. The Father Head Cook left his kitchen and the Father -Doorkeeper his door to listen to the young man’s playing, reports of -which had quickly spread through the abbey. The Abbot and the Father -Lector also came, in Wegeler’s company, went up into the organ-loft, and -seated themselves just behind Beethoven, who, lost in inspiration, was -not aware of their presence. He continued playing variations until the -theme was completely exhausted, and then, weary and exhausted himself, -bowed his head upon his breast. - -A unanimous “Brava, brava,” resounded through the church. The Abbot -stepped forward, tapped him gently on the shoulder, and said with -emotion: “Those were indeed sounds from another world, and they have -penetrated my very soul. Accept my thanks, my young friend. You are -truly a master, and a great future lies before you if God preserve your -life and health, which I doubt not He will do.” - -The Lector also spoke words of praise to the young man. The Father -Organist bowed low before him. The organ-blower emerged from his closet -and with astonishment regarded the young man who had accomplished such -prodigies and unprecedented feats in his art. “Truly,” said the homely -old man, “if he played the organ here I would never get tired. My old -arms would work the bellows from morning to night.” - -Beethoven in the meantime accepted these praises somewhat coolly and -indifferently, and contented himself by expressing his thanks with an -awkward bow. - -“He is always thus, your reverence,” said Wegeler, as he seated himself -again with the Abbot and the Father Lector at the wine in the cool -refectory—“a sound kernel in a rough shell; a jewel of the purest water, -which needs only a little polish to glisten at its real value. He is not -to blame for it so much as his unhappy domestic conditions. How can he -have politeness and ease of manner when there is not even daily bread in -the house? I beg you therefore to treat him with gracious indulgence.” - -“It is entirely unnecessary to intercede for this young genius,” replied -the Abbot. “His magnificent playing has impressed me so deeply that I -can overlook his lack of courtesy, though really his deportment is a -little awkward. One must bear with everything in a great genius,—and -such he is, for, after what we have heard, there cannot be the slightest -doubt of it. I should greatly like to talk with him a little while.” - -“I should not be surprised if he had already slipped out of the church -and were again roving about the wood,” said Wegeler smiling. “I know his -ways. He does not crave praise like many other musicians. It is -absolutely painful to him to be commended to his face. He prefers to -escape from it and bury himself in solitude. He is always that way, and -one must take him as one finds him. The rich treasures of his soul make -thousandfold compensation for his external roughness.” - -“Well, we shall have to acquiesce in his absence,” replied the Abbot; -“but promise me, dear Wegeler, that you will soon bring this wonderful -artist here again.” - -“With the greatest pleasure,” answered Wegeler. “Ludwig can do his best -in the company of cultivated and sympathetic persons only, and I hope I -shall succeed in introducing him into a circle of dear friends in Bonn -where he will surely find a second home. But now, your reverence, it is -time for me to take my departure and hunt up my young runaway friend, so -that we may get back to Bonn in good season.” - -Once again the glasses were filled, and they were clinked for the last -time with the wish for an early and happy “Wiedersehen,”[16] and Wegeler -begged to be kept in affectionate remembrance. He then hastened in the -direction of Bonn, and had been gone hardly a quarter of an hour when he -found his friend Beethoven sitting upon a stump on the side of the road, -lost in deep thought. - -“Well, my fine fellow,” said Wegeler to him, “what induced you to run -away from the abbey so secretly and without saying good-bye?” - -Beethoven turned about with an abrupt motion of resentment and shook his -thick, curly hair, which fell about his neck like the mane of a lion. “I -could not stay any longer and indulge in empty chattering after the -Genius of Art in the church had struggled with me and bidden me to soar. -I had to get away from it and out into the open air, into the solitude, -where, as I know by experience, I can most easily find my way back to -the common places of life.” - -“But the Abbot regretted that he could not speak with you again,” said -Wegeler. - -“Some other time,” replied Beethoven. “He is a kind, friendly man, whom -I appreciate and esteem; but he must let me go my way, undisturbed, if I -am to visit him again.” - -“And he will do that, stubborn-headed one,” replied Wegeler, laughingly. -“Only play for him a little from time to time and he will always be a -benevolent patron and have all possible patience with your caprices. We -do not always know how, when, or where such a man may be of service to -us. A visit with him is always a genuine recreation and a comfort to the -heart. We will soon revisit Heisterbach, will we not, Ludwig?” - -Beethoven nodded assent. “But it is time now to go home. The sun is -already low, and I have a presentiment that things are not as they -should be at home. Let us hasten, Wegeler.” - -They quickened their pace. Soon they reached the Rhine, crossed it, and -went on to Bonn, which was already growing dim in the gathering -twilight. When their ways separated they parted from one another, but -Wegeler promised he would certainly visit Beethoven the next evening, -and hoped that he would bring him some good and cheering news. With a -last cordial shake of the hand they separated, and Beethoven flew rather -than walked through the streets, that he might reach his dwelling in the -narrow and gloomy Bonn Gasse as quickly as possible; for it was already -late, and the house door might be closed with the coming of darkness. - - - - - _New Friends_ - - -Wegeler kept his word. With a beaming countenance he appeared at -Beethoven’s house the next evening and exultantly said: “I have -succeeded. Congratulate yourself, friend Ludwig! I shall introduce you -this evening to a family with whom you will feel perfectly at home.” - -“And what kind of a family might that be?” said Beethoven, -distrustfully. “You know I am not adapted to all the world, and that all -the world is not adapted to me.” - -“But this family is in no way of the character which you so sweepingly -apply to the world,” replied Wegeler. “You will find it a model of the -noblest sociality and a place where art and science are most zealously -cherished. It is the family of the widow, Frau Hofrathin von -Breuning,[17] to which I have permission to introduce you.” - -“Ah! the Frau Hofrathin von Breuning,” cried Ludwig, with a perceptibly -brighter countenance. “Truly that is something different from what I -mean by ‘all the world.’ I have heard of this family. They are lovely -people.” - -“The best in the world, Ludwig,” eagerly protested Wegeler. “So hasten. -Get yourself in readiness. They are expecting us immediately.” - -“I am already dressed,” replied Beethoven, haughtily. “I have no other -coat than this threadbare one. If they won’t have me in this, they shall -not have me at all.” - -“Unruly, stubborn, cross-grained fellow that you are!” exclaimed -Wegeler, with a laugh. “Will you never learn to master your capricious -nature? Come along even in your threadbare coat. These dear people into -whose circle I shall take you care only for your heart and disposition, -not for your clothes. You are, like all geniuses, a most ridiculous -fellow. But that does not signify. You already know them, and -consequently you will learn to appreciate them. Frankly, you should not -appear wilful and capricious, but behave like a polite youth, and -occasionally perform something on the piano in your own style. They are -very fond of music and have much of it at their home. The Elector’s -chapelmaster Ries,[18] whom you know, and other members of the chapel, -often enjoy pleasant intercourse in this hospitable home, and we -certainly shall meet some of them there this evening.” - -“Now, that is a splendid suggestion,” said Beethoven, with gleaming -eyes. “Then I can appear as I am. Yes, they shall learn to know me! I -have composed to-day a trio for pianoforte, violin, and violoncello. We -will take it with us. If a violin and violoncello can be had I will play -the piano, and they will open their eyes, these people, when they hear -my composition.” - -“Oho! you have plenty of confidence that you have made something -particularly good and beautiful,” said Wegeler in gentle banter. - -“Certainly I have,” replied Beethoven, with self-assurance. “I tell you -I have created something entirely new, which will please every one of -good musical taste and will be widely imitated.” - -“But consider, Ludwig; you will be judged not by dilettanti, but by -genuine connoisseurs,” said Wegeler, earnestly. - -“All the better,” proudly replied Ludwig. “I never intend to compose for -ignorance and stupidity.” - -“Well, then, take your trio. We will make a trial of it,” said Wegeler. -“Or, what is better, give it to me. I will say that it is a composition -by one of my acquaintances. If it does not please, we need not mention -your name; but if it pleases, as I wish and hope it may, then, at least, -you may be sure they will not flatter or over-praise you.” - -“That is all right,” answered Ludwig, as he handed the manuscript to his -friend, who placed it in his pocket. “Now I am ready.” - -“Then we will start, for they will be waiting for us at the Breunings’,” -replied Wegeler. - -Arm in arm they went through the already silent and dark streets until -they came to a handsome house, before the door of which hung a lighted -lantern. Wegeler was no stranger there. He conducted Ludwig up a broad, -easy flight of steps, opened the door, and led his somewhat timid young -friend into a spacious and brilliantly lighted apartment, in which a -company of twelve persons was assembled. An elderly lady, whose face -still revealed traces of beauty, and with an unusually noble and -gracious expression of goodness and benevolence, advanced a few steps -and received them with a kindly smile. - -“Welcome, dear Wegeler,” she said in a soft, gentle voice which came -straight from the heart; “I think I make no mistake in welcoming in your -companion my future young friend, Ludwig van Beethoven.” - -“You are right, gracious lady,” replied Wegeler. “This is my friend -Ludwig, and this, Ludwig, is the Frau Hofrathin von Breuning.” - -“Welcome, cordially welcome, dear Beethoven,” said the Frau Hofrathin, -extending her hand with friendly and very motherly good wishes. - -Beethoven was by nature a strong, proud character, who did not easily -bow before any one, and least of all was inclined to waste much civility -in social intercourse. The amiability of Frau von Breuning, however, -made such a deep impression upon him that he took the hand offered him, -bowed low, and kissed it. - -In the meantime the others present came forward. The sons of Frau von -Breuning—Stephen, Christopher, and Lenz—shook the young man’s hand -cordially, and then the sister, Eleonora, welcomed him with a cordial -inclination of the head and bright, friendly eyes. Some of the guests -already knew Ludwig, particularly the chapelmaster Ries, and some -members of the Elector’s chapel. He exchanged a few friendly words with -them and was then presented to a handsome, distinguished looking man, -the Count von Waldstein,[19] who, notwithstanding his high rank and -standing, greeted him with genuine cordiality. In a short time Beethoven -felt as much at home in this circle as if he had been in it for years, -and Wegeler therefore quietly indulged the hope that his young protégé -would bring no discredit upon his urgent recommendations of him. He was -in no way disappointed in this hope. Beethoven appeared more cheerful, -companionable, frank, and affable than ever before, and when the talk -turned upon music he seated himself at the piano without being urged, -much to Wegeler’s astonishment and delight, and played a long time with -such a splendid technique and depth of feeling that all conversation at -once stopped and every one paid the closest attention to his beautiful -melodies. - -“Brava, brava!” cried every one when the young artist finished his -performance. Count Waldstein stepped up to him and tapped him lightly on -the shoulder. “You have indeed done splendidly,” he cordially said. “I -fancy that I also understand music a little, and therefore speak so -positively.” - -Chapelmaster Ries complimented Ludwig so enthusiastically that he felt -extremely comfortable as well as happy. Wegeler thought it an opportune -time to try the new trio, and took it from his pocket. “As we are -engaged with music,” he said, “and as we have professional artists right -at hand, I would beg you to play an entirely new composition, which by a -happy chance has come into my possession.” - -“What is it?” said chapelmaster Ries, “and who is the composer?” - -“The composer wishes temporarily to remain unknown,” replied Wegeler, -“but the work is a trio for piano, violin, and violoncello.” - -“That can be arranged without any difficulty,” said Ries. “Our Beethoven -will play the pianoforte, friend Muller the violoncello, and I will -undertake the violin. The instruments are here, so let us get to work at -once.” - -In a few minutes the necessary arrangements were made and the trio -began. The three accomplished artists easily played it at sight, and the -audience paid close attention to the entirely original harmonies and -melodies. The trio was played to its close smoothly and with precision, -but instead of loud applause after the last tones there was a very -painful silence. The good Wegeler turned pale with anxiety, but -Beethoven sat as proud as Jupiter at the piano and seemed to have -forgotten where or in whose company he was. - -Chapelmaster Ries was the first to break the uncomfortable silence and, -turning quickly to Wegeler, said: “This is truly a charming composition, -full of originality, and developed with true genius. Who is the -composer? I am really eager to know, for I never before have heard such -music.” - -“In fact, very strong but characteristic,” Count Waldstein added. - -“I have never heard anything more beautiful,” said Christopher Breuning, -enthusiastically and excitedly. “It must be an entirely distinctive -art-work by Mozart, or perhaps something of Haydn’s.” - -Wegeler, who had regained his natural color, smiled and shook his head. -“Neither Mozart nor Haydn,” said he. “The composer is a new man, and is -in our midst.” - -“Ah! Count Waldstein,” said Frau von Breuning with a light, graceful -bow. “Do not deny it, Count. You have prepared a most pleasant surprise -for us.” - -“On the contrary, dear lady, I should consider myself most fortunate if -I could accept your compliment,” replied Count Waldstein, “but I must -reluctantly decline it. Probably we have to thank our chapelmaster for -the great surprise.” - -“No, no,” said the chapelmaster, “I will not adorn myself with borrowed -feathers however beautiful they may be. But really, if I could -accomplish such a work as this trio, I should regard myself as a pretty -good artist.” - -“But who can the composer be if he is neither our dear Count nor the -chapelmaster?” said Frau von Breuning. “Surely you are just teasing us a -little, dear Wegeler. Anyway, the composer of the trio is known by -name.” - -“Yes, he has a name,” said Wegeler, smiling, “but his name is not yet -famous, though I have no doubt it will become so one day. The composer’s -name is—Ludwig van Beethoven, and he has the honor to sit before your -ladyship, at the piano.” - -If a bomb had fallen into the company it could not have caused greater -astonishment than Wegeler’s simple announcement. All present evidently -were surprised in the highest degree. Beethoven alone sat entirely -unmoved and at ease, and looked about him smilingly and unembarrassed. - -“What is there to be astonished at?” he said. “I composed the entire -trio to-day.” - -It is hard to describe the effect these few words produced. All crowded -around Beethoven, and each had his word of admiration for him. He was -quietly pleased when they shook his hand and overwhelmed him with -compliments; but at last he became uneasy, and sprang up from his seat. - -“This is too much,” he said. “I do not deserve it. Later, years hence, -perhaps,—but now? no! There are still those who can construct better -things than I.” - -“But there are very few of them,” said Count Waldstein, earnestly. -“Anyway, I feel impelled to exercise all my influence for the -advancement of a talent such as yours, dear Beethoven. I beg you to -consider me as your fatherly friend and patron.” - -Beethoven bowed, and stammered a few words of thanks. A moment later he -had forgotten the assurances of the Count and was chatting in the most -intimate manner with the sons of Frau von Breuning, who welcomed this -talented new acquaintance with genuine enthusiasm. The mother also -graciously conversed with the young man, and at last asked him if he -would at some future time give piano lessons to her daughter Eleonora, -which Beethoven naturally was glad to promise. - -As it was getting rather late, the company left one after another. -Beethoven withdrew with Wegeler, and warmly thanked his friend on the -street for introducing him into this pleasant family circle. - -“I did it with all my heart,” said Wegeler, “and with the hope that it -will be for the pleasure and advantage of both parties.” - -All of Wegeler’s hopes were realized. Beethoven soon found himself at -home among his new friends. This was not strange, for the Hofrathin -entertained a true motherly affection for him, and her children regarded -him as a brother. Beethoven himself, at a later period, often declared -that his happiest years were spent in the Breuning home. - -Thus weeks and months passed. Beethoven’s outward circumstances -gradually improved, for the Hofrathin Breuning was assiduous in -procuring pupils for him among her acquaintances, which paid well at -that time. Ludwig could now furnish a part of the support for his brave -mother, so that matters gradually became more pleasant in the household -life. Everything contributed to keep him in good humor, so that he -commended himself more and more to the affection and good-will of his -new friends. - -Ludwig had heard nothing for a long time from Count Waldstein about the -patronage he had promised. In reality he had hardly given it a thought. -But the Hofrathin Breuning many a time quietly wondered that the Count -should have forgotten his protégé so quickly and completely, “especially -when there is so much he might do for his advantage,” she said to -herself. “He is a favorite with the Elector, and hardly needs do more -than drop a word occasionally to interest him in our Beethoven. If he -would do so but once, everything else would take care of itself, and I -should no longer have any anxiety about the young man’s future.” - -But none of the Hofrathin’s wishes or hopes seemed likely to be -realized. Count Waldstein appeared now and then in the Hofrathin’s -social circle, but seldom remained there long, and seemed to concern -himself little about Beethoven, though at times he gave him a friendly -word. One evening, however, he asked for the trio which Beethoven -composed, and requested permission to keep it a few days. The permission -naturally was granted promptly and willingly, although Beethoven did not -appear to attach the slightest importance to the Count’s request. Frau -von Breuning, however, smiled to herself in silent satisfaction. She -anticipated and conjectured more than Ludwig, and this simple, -unimportant act aroused the hope that something would come of it, and -that his interests would be promoted. - -Nothing in the least occurred in the next few days to confirm these -hopes, and Frau von Breuning, though she still clung to her hope, had to -admit to herself there was little foundation for it, when one evening -Count Waldstein appeared entirely unexpectedly in the circle of friends -who were entertaining themselves with music. Besides the Breuning -family, Beethoven, Wegeler, and chapelmaster Ries were present. All -extended a respectful and friendly greeting to the Count. He smiled -contentedly, roguishly looked at Beethoven, and pressed his right hand -upon his left breast-pocket, in which something light rustled. - -“Young man,” he said good-humoredly, “what do you imagine I am carrying -here in my coat-pocket? Guess!” - -“How can I guess, Count?” replied Ludwig. “It must be something of -considerable importance, since Your Grace is so mysterious about it.” - -“Why, yes, important enough for certain people, though to me simply -pleasant and agreeable. But I already perceive you are not gifted with -the faculty of guessing, dear Ludwig, so I must help you a little. This -mysterious thing in my pocket is a document from the electoral court. I -got sight of the address there, and incidentally, as I intended to visit -my worthy friend here, I took the document with the intention of handing -it to the person addressed. He is a certain Ludwig van Beethoven, and I -was sure I should find him here.” - -“A document from the electoral court to me! Impossible!” exclaimed -Beethoven, at first astonished and then delighted, while the kindly face -of Frau von Breuning was lit up with joy. - -“Yes, yes, to you, my young friend,” said the Count, as he removed the -document from his pocket. “Here, take it. Open it, and see what the -Elector has done for you.” - -Beethoven slowly took the large envelope, looked at the address and -seal, and shook his head. “The Count doubtless is only making sport of -me,” he said. “If I break the seal I shall only be heartily laughed at.” - -“Oh, you most distrustful of all distrustful men and musicians!” the -Count replied. “How can you entertain such a foolish supposition? Open -it! Open it! Quick!” - -“I will not,” replied Beethoven, firmly, as he placed the envelope on -the table. - -“You foolish fellow, you can do as you please, of course,” said the -Count, a little impatiently. “This much I know, however, that our most -gracious lord, the Elector, has not done this for a fool, but for his -court organist, and this highest of all honors he has bestowed upon you -in this document.”[20] - -“Impossible!” exclaimed Beethoven. - -“I thought so,” joyfully said the Hofrathin. - -“Fine! splendid!” cried all the others. - -Beethoven was so overcome with astonishment that he seemed as rigid as a -statue, but at a sign from the Count, chapelmaster Ries opened the -envelope, showed the signature of the Elector, and the appointment of -Ludwig van Beethoven as court organist, carefully drawn up in due form. - -“Hearty congratulations, Ludwig,” said he, handing the document to him. -“I call this good fortune, even if it does come to the one most -deserving of it.” - -All present surrounded Beethoven and congratulated him. He received -their good wishes with a radiant smile and beaming eyes. Then he -suddenly rushed to Count Waldstein, pressed his lips to his hand, and -exclaimed to him from the fulness of his heart, “Thanks! thanks! my -benefactor!” Thereupon he seized his hat, crying joyously, “To my -mother, to my good mother! Good-night to all!”—and was out of the house -as quick as a flash. - -No one wondered at his somewhat strange behavior. All knew him and his -ways and manners, and all were his friends, which signified for him all -that was sincerely true and good. - - - - - _A Merciful Punishment_ - - -Good fortune often arouses jealousies and enmities, for while there are -many good men in the world, there are also many base and evil-minded -ones. Beethoven was destined to make this discovery at once. His -appointment as court organist was received by most of the members of the -electoral chapel with expressions of great discontent, and some of them -did not conceal their resentment that such a green young student should -have been selected as their colleague. Of course it never occurred to -these narrow-minded persons that there was more creative skill in this -“green student” than in the whitening heads of all these old musical -pedants. - -Beethoven was one who troubled himself very little about such displays -of petty hatred and jealousy. As he was exempt from the pressing -anxieties of everyday life by his position and teaching, and had found -in Count Waldstein a truly good and fatherly patron, he carried his head -high, and looked down with proud self-assurance upon his enemies. Not -that he had grown supercilious,—nothing was farther from him than -that,—but he could clearly discriminate between himself and these -malicious ones. He knew that he surpassed them as far as the heavens are -above the earth. - -It happened one day that Count Waldstein called upon his young protégé -and found him deeply absorbed in a book. - -“How is this, Ludwig?” said the Count. “I expected to find you busy at -the piano, or with the violin, and now I catch you reading an insipid -novel! Shame on you, my young friend! In your difficult art there is but -one road to success—‘forward, always forward.’ You should not waste time -on trifles if you expect to accomplish great and important things.” - -At the first words of his patron Beethoven had arisen, and greeted him -in the most cordial manner. His manner did not change, however, when the -Count reproached him; on the contrary, he handed him the book he was -reading, and smilingly said: “Excuse me, this is not a trifle, Count; it -is ‘Plutarch’s Lives,’ but unfortunately only a good translation, for I -cannot read it in the original.” - -The Count’s frown began to disappear. “Of course I cannot disapprove of -good reading. But I see you have more books. Are they all Plutarch?” - -“No, worthy sir,” replied Beethoven, excitedly, as he took his books and -quickly opened them one after another. “This is Homer’s Odyssey, these -are Plato’s writings, this the Odes of Horace, and these a few volumes -of Shakespeare—all classical literature.”[21] - -“Yes, yes, I see; but of what use are they to you?” said the Count, -wonderingly. “Do you learn anything about music in them?” - -“Certainly not, Herr Count,” replied Beethoven, “but I am acquiring the -general information which all composers and musicians should have. You -perhaps are not aware that in consequence of my parents’ poverty I could -not attend a good school. The natural result was that I learned very -little, and now, if I am not to be an ignoramus, I must make up by my -own exertions what I lost in childhood.” - -“Ah, that is really quite another thing,” said the Count, approvingly, -“and instead of censuring you, I ought to have praised you for your zeal -and industry. In reality I have called to-day neither to blame nor to -praise you, but for an entirely different purpose.” - -“Tell me what it is, Herr Count. I am entirely at your pleasure,” said -Beethoven, eagerly. “You will make me very happy by assigning me to any -position where I can be of the slightest service to you.” - -“Good, good, dear Ludwig! I knew as much when I applied to you,” said -the Count. “And now to the point. A Ritter ballet is to be given at the -forthcoming carnival for the pleasure of His Highness, the Elector. -Those who are to participate in it are already engaged, and the sketch -and text are prepared and contained in this roll. The music alone is -lacking. Will you do me the favor to compose it?” - -“I shall be a thousand times delighted,” said Beethoven. He took the -roll as if it had been a precious treasure. “I will take the utmost -pains to meet your expectations, so that I may not only show my -gratitude to you, my most esteemed patron, but also to my most gracious -lord and Prince. At what time must the music be ready, Herr Count?” - -“You can have at least four weeks,” replied the Count. “Therefore do not -be in too much haste. When you are ready let me know. Adieu, and good -luck, my young friend.” - -Beethoven applied himself with enthusiastic zeal to the composition of -the different parts which were necessary for the performance of the -ballet, and was able to give the work to Count Waldstein before the -expiration of the allotted four weeks. The Count, himself a clever -musician, or at least a well-schooled amateur, glanced over the score -with experienced eyes, nodded several times in a satisfied way, and -smiled to himself. - -“Thanks, my friend,” he said at last. “I hope the music will please. You -are to conduct. I have this further suggestion to make. I know the -prejudices of many of your colleagues against you. If they know that you -composed the ballet music, then the envious ones will seize the -opportunity to play badly, and thereby intentionally spoil the pretty -music. Keep it secret until after the first performance that you are the -composer. I will privately have the report circulated that I was the -artist who wrote the music. When it comes to the knowledge of the -gentlemen of the chapel for whom they are taking so much pains, they -certainly will do their utmost to please. So, secrecy and silence. I -will make the necessary explanation to the Elector, and after the first, -and as I hope successful, performance of the ballet, I will let all the -world know who the real composer is. Are you satisfied with this -arrangement?” - -“I am extremely grateful to you for it, Herr Count,” replied Beethoven. -“You have rightly remarked that many of my associates are maliciously -disposed toward me, and caution therefore will do no harm. On my part, I -accept all your arrangements with pleasure.” - -“Then I am convinced we may hope for the best results,” replied the -Count. - -Everything turned out as Count Waldstein had expected. The report that -he had composed the music of a Ritter ballet in honor of the Elector was -circulated all over the city, and particularly among the artists and -musicians. Hence when the first rehearsal of the ballet took place the -chapel orchestra played excellently and correctly. After the rehearsal -the members were of the unanimous opinion that the music was thoroughly -graceful, charming, and masterly. All were loud in their praises, and -many a one cast a malicious side glance at Beethoven, as much as to say, -“Now you see what certain people can learn from a mere amateur.” - -Rehearsals were repeated several times, and then followed the -performance of the ballet in the presence of the Elector and all his -court. Everything passed off well, and the music in particular received -enthusiastic applause. Count Waldstein smilingly accepted the -compliments which were tendered him on all sides, but no one concerned -himself about Beethoven. He was not in the least troubled on that score, -but smiled to himself at the fawning of his associates, who bowed low to -the Count and extolled to heaven the music of the ballet. “They will be -astonished sometime, when they hear that the music is mine,” he said to -himself, rubbing his hands. - -When it was announced a few days afterwards that Beethoven was the -composer of the much-praised ballet, his associates were not only -astonished, but many of them openly acknowledged they had been deceived -in taking him for a fool. Of course this was said only behind his back, -but he heard of it, and discovered that one of the electoral singers, -named Heller, had been particularly busy in attacking him. - -Some days later Beethoven went, either accidentally or purposely, to a -popular wine-shop where there were a number of his chapel associates, -among them the aforesaid singer, Heller. After a hasty greeting -Beethoven seated himself at a side table and overheard them making sport -of him. Heller, in particular, gave the young composer many palpable -side-thrusts, and boasted that there were plenty of musicians who could -compose better things than a certain conceited young person ever dreamed -of. - -Beethoven listened calmly for a little while without taking personal -notice of the abuse or the boasting. Suddenly, however, he arose, went -to the table where his colleagues were sitting, and looked the singer -Heller sharply in the eye. “Tell me,” he said quietly but firmly, “do -you not perform ‘The Lamentations of the Prophet Jeremiah’ in church in -the morning?” - -“Certainly,” replied Heller. “Why do you ask?” - -“Because, perhaps I can make a wager with you,” said Beethoven. “I will -play the accompaniment on the piano, and will bet that I will break your -time, or, as they say, ‘put you out.’” - -“I take the bet. What shall it be?” cried Heller with malicious glee; -for he believed himself so sure of winning that he already regarded his -opponent as a loser. - -“A keg of wine, which we can empty together after church here in the -wine-shop,” replied Beethoven. - -“It is agreed. I take the bet,” said Heller. - -“It’s agreed,” said all the other musicians, with a malicious look at -Beethoven; for not one of them believed that he could “put out” the most -correct singer of them all. But Beethoven finished his glass of wine, -smiling to himself. - -“The Lamentations of the Prophet Jeremiah” are little sentences of four -or six lines each, and in performance are chanted like the old chorals -in a definite rhythm. The tune consists of four successive tones, -several words and sometimes whole sentences being sung upon the third, -and coming to a rest which the accompanist fills in with a free harmonic -passage. Thereupon the singer returns to the ground tone,—not a -difficult accomplishment for a clever musician, if the accompanist does -not “put him out.” - -On the following morning, confident of winning, Heller began his song. -Beethoven accompanied him at first in the old and customary manner. All -at once, however, he modulated so freely and independently, while he -firmly held the first tone in the treble, that Heller could not find his -way back to it, and, in fact, was completely “put out” by the “conceited -young person.” - -“He played incorrectly,” said Heller, angrily. - -“On the contrary, he played correctly and in a masterly way,” retorted -Ries, “but all the same in a way that is too much for you. Everything -was done fairly and honestly, as all here will concede. So keep quiet. -You have lost your bet.” - -“Be it so, then. I will pay for the miserable keg of wine,” roared -Heller, “but I will also make complaint to our most gracious Elector -about an accompaniment out of which the devil himself could not find his -way.” - -“Complain all you will; you will make nothing by it,” said Lucchesi.[22] -“As chapelmaster Ries has already declared, we not only must, but will, -testify that everything was done fairly.” - -“That does not signify,” replied Heller, still in bad humor. “I will yet -disgrace him. Such an accompaniment as his is not proper in church at -least.” Seizing his hat, he ran out, and disappeared before any one -could stop him. - -Beethoven, entirely unconcerned, let him go. Neither he nor the others -believed that Heller was in earnest with his threats or that he would -really complain to the Elector against his enemy. But when the entire -party after the service returned to the wine-shop, where they expected -to find Heller, there was no trace of him. - -“Well, that is of no consequence,” said Beethoven, good-humoredly. “We -will drink the keg of wine regardless of him. I will pay for it out of -my own pocket.” - -Mine host was ordered to furnish some excellent wine, the glasses -clinked, and they gave themselves up to unrestrained conviviality. -Beethoven, delighted over the defeat of his obstinate and bitter enemy, -overflowed with hilarity, when suddenly a lackey in the electoral livery -appeared in their midst and loudly asked whether the court organist, -Ludwig van Beethoven, was present. - -Deep silence followed the question, and consternation was manifest on -every countenance. Had Heller in his wrath really carried out his threat -after all? Beethoven, who was the one most closely concerned, understood -at once and sprang up. “Here I am,” he said. “What does His Highness, -the Elector, wish of me?” - -“That you come at once, just as you are, to the castle,” was the reply. -“The Elector wishes to speak with you.” - -“I will obey at once,” replied Beethoven, as he took his hat. “Do not be -disturbed, friends. Perhaps I shall return soon.” - -Although he had succeeded tolerably well in concealing his apprehensions -while with his companions, he was not altogether easy in his mind on his -way to the castle. To be sure, he knew from Count Waldstein’s -description of the Elector that he was a very kind and merciful man, but -notwithstanding this he neither knew nor could imagine how he might -criticise that pleasant little artistic performance in the church. -Therefore he prepared himself to receive an appropriately long and sound -rebuke. He determined to accept it, humbly and patiently, and at last -with tolerable composure entered the apartment of the Elector. - -That high personage was sitting with his back to Beethoven, writing at -his desk. He did not turn around when Beethoven entered, and apparently -did not hear the servant’s announcement. Five minutes, which seemed an -eternity to Beethoven, passed in utter silence. At last the Elector -suddenly threw down his pen and quickly turned round. “Ah! there you -are, dear Beethoven,” he said in a by no means unfriendly manner. “Come -a little nearer.” - - [Illustration: _Beethoven approached within a couple of steps of the - Elector, the latter scrutinizing him with a sharp glance_] - -Beethoven approached within a couple of steps of the Elector and bowed -low, the latter scrutinizing him with a sharp glance, which the -delinquent stood bravely. - -“My dear Beethoven,” began the Elector, “I have sent for you that I may -thank you for the beautiful music which you composed for our Count -Waldstein’s Ritter ballet. Accept for your services your appointment as -my chamber musician, and this slight compensation of one hundred -ducats.” With these words he took a little roll of gold pieces and a -signed document from his desk and gave them to Beethoven, whose beaming -countenance could not conceal his joyous surprise. - -“Gracious master, this is too much, really too much,” he exclaimed. - -“Take them, take them,” insisted the Elector. “I am well satisfied with -you. Count Waldstein has told me many nice things about you, and I -myself have noticed in the court concerts that God has bestowed upon you -a beautiful and important talent. It is my duty to promote this,—and -besides, do you suppose that I will allow you to give me your -compositions? So take this.” - -With trembling hands Beethoven took the roll and the document, and, in -his extreme confusion, stammered out a few disconnected words of -gratitude. The Elector interrupted him. - -“Very good,” said he. “But”—and here his face assumed a stern -expression—“now that we have finished up this piece of business, a word -about a more serious matter. Heller has been to me, and complained of -you. Before I make my decision I would like to hear from you what you -have really been doing to Heller.” - -The flush of joy in Beethoven’s face disappeared, and gave place to the -pallor of fear. He courageously composed himself, however, and frankly -told, without reserve and with exact truth, the circumstances of the -hostile encounter with Heller. - -“I understand, and find that you are not as guilty as I feared,” said -the Elector, resuming a kindly tone. “But, notwithstanding this, are you -not aware that you have made a bad mistake?” - -“Yes, I realize it now, gracious master,” replied Beethoven. “The church -should not have been the scene of our quarrel. In my passion I did not -think of that. I deserve punishment, and will submit to it humbly and -repentantly.” - -“Well,” replied the Elector, smiling, “he who recognizes and regrets his -faults has already half atoned for them. I will not be too severe in my -sentence, but I ought not to let your fault go unpunished. The venerable -Abbot of Heisterbach told me some time ago you had an unsurpassed talent -for organ playing. This gives me the opportunity to announce your -punishment. You are to be banished from my court for a year, with the -special order that you spend that year in Vienna, where all -distinguished organists ought to go that they may profit by the -knowledge they can gain there. So you are banished for a year to Vienna. -This is your punishment.” - -Beethoven could hardly believe he heard aright. “But, Your Highness,” he -exclaimed, his eyes glistening brightly, “this is not a punishment; it -is a reward—the fulfilment of my dearest wishes.” - -The Elector could not repress a slight smile at the open-hearted -simplicity of the young man, but he quickly assumed a more serious -manner and said earnestly: “Any other one would have considered -banishment from my court a very severe punishment, and I regard it so -also, and expected that you would. It is not complimentary to me that -you should regard removal from my vicinity as a reward.” - -“Great heavens! I did not mean it that way,” said Beethoven, seriously -alarmed. “I intended to say I had always wished to go to Vienna -sometime, because one can learn the most in music there. Pardon me, my -gracious master. My whole heart is filled with gratitude to you.” - -“Well, well, quiet yourself,” replied the Elector, and the kindly smile -returned to his face. “I think you understand that you are still in -favor, but your punishment must make expiation, and it must also be -considered as punishment. Keep this in mind. In future I recommend a -simple accompaniment for the church music. As to the other matter, if -you should need any money for the journey, or anything else, apply to -Count Waldstein. He knows my intentions in relation to you. Adieu, dear -Beethoven, and employ your time usefully in Vienna, so that it may -compensate for your absence from my court. Adieu.” - -A gracious inclination of the head by the Elector, a low bow by -Beethoven, and the audience was at an end. Intoxicated with delight -Beethoven staggered rather than walked down the steps, and in a corridor -of the castle happened upon Count Waldstein, whom he would have rushed -by without recognizing if the Count himself had not stopped him. - -“Here, here, my dear fellow, are you again all fire and flame?” he said -to him. “Has anything special happened to you?” - -“Oh, you know everything already, Herr Count, for it is you I have to -thank for your kind intercession,” replied Beethoven, cordially. -“Chamber musician! A hundred ducats! A journey to Vienna! My head -swims.” - -“Oh, yes, I suppose because of your sorrow over the unkindness of the -Elector, who has punished you for your petulancy,” said the Count, with -his peculiar smile. “As a punishment you have been consigned to -banishment from your colleagues. Keep this in mind. The Elector so wills -it.” - -“Yes, but for my advantage, Herr Count,” said Beethoven, joyfully. “But, -God knows, it is a merciful punishment, for which one should be a -thousand times thankful.” - -And away he flew to the beloved mother to make his sorrowful complaint -of the severity of the hard, cruel, merciful Elector. - -Tears flowed. It was but natural. But the tears were certainly not -altogether those of sorrow. - - - - - _In Vienna_ - - -The most distinguished and refined society of that period was accustomed -to assemble at the house of Prince Lichnowski,[23] and the best music -was often performed there by the most eminent artists. Both the Prince -and his amiable wife had received a thorough musical education, and -loved and promoted music of the highest kind. - -Beethoven brought a most cordial letter of introduction from Count -Waldstein to the Prince, and consequently received an immediate -invitation to a musical evening at the Lichnowski palace, which he of -course accepted. - -Upon entering the splendid apartments of the Prince, he found a -brilliant company assembled. The contrast with his simple, ordinary -dress made him feel a little uneasy, and he would have quietly slipped -away had not Prince Lichnowski fortunately prevented his attempt to -escape, just in time. Beethoven’s name had hardly been announced to him -by a servant before he hastened to receive him, greeted him in the most -cordial manner, bade him welcome, and shook hands with him warmly. - -“I am exceedingly delighted to see you at my house,” said he. “My -friend, Count Waldstein, has written many nice and kindly things about -you, and His Electoral Highness, the Archbishop, has added with his own -hand the strongest and most hearty words of recommendation. I hope you -will feel perfectly at home with us very soon. I beg you to come with -me, that I may present you to the Princess, who will be no less pleased -than myself to make your acquaintance.” - -After such a cordial reception Beethoven quickly regained his composure, -and walked through the hall at the Prince’s side with uplifted head and -without permitting the glitter and finery of the other guests to disturb -him. Many eyes followed with astonishment the strange figure which, -notwithstanding its entire lack of physical attractiveness, suggested -the bearing of the lion, and notwithstanding its youthfulness concealed -something great and distinguished under its insignificant exterior. - -The Princess Lichnowski received the young man with an expression of -gracious satisfaction, which was very agreeable to Beethoven. “It is -nice that you are here,” said she. “I hope we shall be good friends, and -then we shall have some good music together. Dear Mozart”[24]—she turned -quickly to a simply but nicely dressed gentleman who stood near -by—“please come here a moment.” - -Mozart smilingly obeyed the summons and bowed low before the Princess, -who held out her hand familiarly to him, and said: “No such ceremony -between us, sir. Here, look at this young man. This is Herr Ludwig van -Beethoven of Bonn, the electoral chamber musician and court organist—and -this, my dear Beethoven, is our world-renowned master, Wolfgang Amadeus -Mozart, the brightest sun in our musical firmament.” - -Mozart greeted the young man, of whom he perhaps had not yet heard, in a -friendly but at the same time somewhat cool manner. Beethoven, on the -other hand, who enthusiastically admired Mozart’s compositions, could -not conceal his delight that an opportunity was offered him to make the -acquaintance of the great master, and expressed his feelings in the most -emphatic manner. - -“Let us be a little more quiet, young man,” interposed Mozart, smiling -at Beethoven’s excessive adoration. “I can readily believe you like some -of my compositions, and that pleases me. But we will not make too much -noise about them. I see that you know me, but I do not yet know your -ability as a musician. Therefore may I ask that sometime you will give -us something of your best on the piano? I shall be delighted if I can -return your compliments.” - -Beethoven needed no second request. He felt inspired by the presence of -the high priest in the temple of art, whose wonderful melodies had so -charmed him, and he replied eagerly and quickly: “Where is the piano? If -you will listen to me, Herr Mozart, I will play at once.” - -“All the better,” said Mozart. “There is a piano in the next room. Let -us go there.” - -“Brava!” said the Princess, as she clapped her hands. “We shall hear -something beautiful now. Let us go at once.” - -Beethoven, his heart swelling with pride and eager to show himself to -the master of music in the most advantageous light, threw himself into -his work with impetuous vigor, and played continuously for a full -quarter of an hour whatever the occasion and his own genius suggested. -Those present listened intently, and when Beethoven brought his -performance to a close with some splendid chords, a storm of applause -followed. Prince and Princess Lichnowski openly expressed their -astonishment at Beethoven’s artistic skill, and all the others praised -him. Mozart alone remained calm and unexcited, and contented himself -with saying a few coolly polite words of praise. - -Beethoven blushed and turned pale alternately. He had expected a warmer -recognition on the part of the renowned master, and such cool civility -chilled the enthusiasm and inspiration in his breast like an icy breath. -With a bitter smile he bowed his proud head and covered his heated brow -with his hand. A moment before, he thought he had accomplished something -excellent. Had his feelings deceived him? Had he completely -overestimated his talent? That was a terrible thought. - -Silence reigned in the room. The guests also were disturbed by Mozart’s -reserved manner,—the same Mozart who was always so willing to praise and -quick to appreciate, when there was occasion for praise and -appreciation, and who now showed not a trace of his customary enthusiasm -after such a specially masterly performance. - -“You judge the young man too severely, dear Mozart,” whispered Prince -Lichnowski to him. “His playing has really electrified me.” - -“Oh, that performance is of no great consequence,” replied Mozart, with -a shrug of the shoulder. “It is only a prepared show-piece which the -young man has given us; I do not allow myself to be excited by such -things.” - -This was said in a low voice, but Beethoven heard it. The cloud -disappeared from his brow. He raised his head, shook his mane, and with -flashing eyes said to Mozart: - -“No, sir, that is not a show-piece learned by heart that I played, but a -free fantasie. In proof of this I ask you to give me a theme for another -free fantasie, and then I will show you what I can do.” - -“Oho! Oho! don’t get too excited, young man,” replied Mozart. “You can -have a theme—develop this one.” - -Mozart leaned over Beethoven’s shoulder, played the theme, and then -stepped back a little. Beethoven instantly grasped the theme. He always -played best when aroused, and at this instant he was still excited by -the presence of the honored master. He developed the theme with such -skill and brilliancy of technique that he carried his audience away with -wonder at his inspired performance. - -All indifference and coolness disappeared from Mozart’s manner. With the -young musician’s first passages and accords, deep interest was apparent -on his countenance, and when Beethoven finished his fantasie and arose -from the piano, Mozart went up to him, embraced him, and said in a tone -of voice all could hear, “This young man, some day or other, will make a -noise in the world.” - -Now it was all joy and exultation. Beethoven was visibly affected, and -trembled, while flashes of triumph shot from his piercing eyes. The -princely couple and the guests overwhelmed him with congratulations. - -After that evening Beethoven was regarded in Vienna as destined to -musical greatness, and he found friends and well-wishers everywhere. -Prince Lichnowski was completely devoted to him. He gave him a room in -his palace, and a standing invitation to his table as a guest. - -Beethoven thoroughly appreciated these friendly attentions, but he was -not on that account any the less obstinate and self-willed. Proud of his -genius, which the great Mozart had so clearly recognized, he did not -display a fawning, servile manner. He seemed rather like one who was on -guard against favors, than as one who was receiving them. - -Prince Lichnowski, an extremely amiable man, and one who was well -acquainted with the world, let Beethoven go his own way. He clearly -recognized the great genius of his young friend, and did not trouble -himself about the oddities, and at times rude ways, in his behavior. The -Princess did the same. She valued and admired the inner worth of the -young artist, and did not concern herself about his rough exterior. - -The first visit of Beethoven to Vienna was not a long one. His leave of -absence, or, if you prefer, his term of banishment from the electoral -court at Bonn, approached its end, and he must return home. His devoted -friends, Prince and Princess Lichnowski chief among them, let him go -reluctantly, and cordially and urgently invited him to return soon. - -“Always consider my house as your residence, dear Beethoven,” said -Prince Lichnowski, as he embraced him at his departure. “Whether I may -be in Vienna or not, you will always find a room ready for you here.” -The Princess manifested the same kind feeling. - -Beethoven was deeply affected by his separation from these noble and -devoted friends, and with heart-felt emotion expressed his gratitude for -all the favors he had received. - -“I shall come again,” said he. “Be it sooner or later, depend upon it, I -shall come. Vienna has become very dear to me. Such friends as I have -found here are treasures for a lifetime. One must find such friends to -appreciate the joyousness of living.” So he departed; but he forgot -neither his promises nor his affectionate friends and admirers. - -In the narrow limits of Bonn the young eagle, Beethoven, could not -spread his wings for his highest flight. He longed to be back again in -the Kaiser city. There were the great masters of the art, Gluck, -Haydn,[25] and Mozart, whose music was admired by all cultured persons; -and there, music was considered the highest of all the arts and was most -honored. Beethoven needed such a soil to bring his mighty genius to its -highest development, and therefore his thoughts repeatedly turned toward -Vienna, and he longed for nothing so ardently as to go back there. This -was not because he loved and esteemed his old friends in Bonn less than -his new Vienna friends. He clung to them with all his earlier -attachment; but his art urged him on to the highest and holiest things -of life, and it was only in Vienna that he could find at that time the -soil fitted to bring his art to its complete blossoming. - -The Elector, in whose good graces Beethoven still remained, heard of the -ardent wishes of the young man from Count Waldstein, but for a long time -he did nothing to promote them. A fortunate dispensation brought the -renowned Haydn to Bonn in July, 1792,[26] and Beethoven did not lose the -opportunity to renew the acquaintance which he had made during his first -visit to Vienna. - -Haydn manifested delight at seeing the young artist again, and expressed -his astonishment that he had not yet gone back to Vienna, where he would -be received with the greatest possible pleasure and honors. - -“It is not my fault that I was not there long ago,” he replied. “The -Elector wishes me to remain here, and I am so greatly indebted to him -that it is impossible for me to oppose his desires.” - -“That is truly an unanswerable argument,” said Haydn. “For all that, -keep up good courage. Everything will come out right yet.” - -And so it did, and more quickly than Beethoven had dared to hope. The -good Haydn eloquently appealed to the Elector to gratify the young man’s -wishes, and Count Waldstein reinforced him so enthusiastically that the -Elector at last decided to let him go. It was done as a mark of favor -and honor; and delighted with the realization of his longings, Beethoven -returned, in 1792,[27] to his loved Vienna, where he was to settle down -for the rest of his life. - -His friends in Vienna received him with open arms. Prince Lichnowski -again arranged a room for him in his palace, and gave him a seat at his -table, and the Princess treated him as if she had been his mother. -Beethoven accepted all these proffered favors with gratitude, and such -truly intimate relations soon existed between his patron and himself, -that his peculiarities, and the little improprieties of which he was -often guilty, failed to disturb them for any length of time. And the -young musician showed himself peculiar, very peculiar, often extremely -so. For instance, he did not come to the table for a long time. Prince -Lichnowski asked him the reason, and Beethoven curtly replied: - -“What! do you think it strange that I am not seated promptly at table at -four o’clock in the afternoon? Must I be at home every day at half-past -three, dress myself, comb my hair, and shave? Not by any means! I will -not endure it. I decided at the very first it was best to go to a -restaurant. There at least I am under no restraint, and I can go and eat -at any hour I please.” - -The Prince let him have his own way. He fully realized that one must not -put bridle and reins on an artist like Beethoven, but must let him go as -he pleases. - -At another time Beethoven took a fancy to have daily horseback rides, -and had hardly intimated his purpose when Prince Lichnowski generously -placed his entire stable at his disposal. - -“What!” said Beethoven, “shall I ride a strange horse? shall I go and -obsequiously ask the stable-master every time I wish to ride whether it -is agreeable to him to saddle a horse for me? I will do nothing of the -kind; I will buy my own horse.” - -And he did so. He rode a fortnight, and then seemed entirely to have -forgotten that he had a horse. His whim was over, and his servant had -been doing a profitable business for a long time by hiring the horse out -by the hour. - -On still another occasion Beethoven rang his bell several times one -morning, but the servant did not answer the call. When he came at last, -and excused his neglect by saying that he was ordered to wait upon the -Prince, Beethoven flew into a passion, took the fellow by the collar, -and marched him to the Prince. - -“This churl has let me wait,” he cried in a furious rage, “because you -had called him.” - -“That is all right, of course,” said the Prince, quietly. “Excuse me, -dear Beethoven; but you, Friedrich”—he turned and spoke decidedly to the -servant—“must serve Herr van Beethoven first when he and I ring for you -at the same time.” - -The young artist’s anger was quickly changed to shame, and the result -was that he procured a servant of his own that very day, to answer his -bell. - -The Prince, as usual, let him do as he pleased, without paying any -attention to his extraordinary conduct. The good understanding between -them was so little disturbed by it that he gave him an annuity of six -hundred gulden, for the Elector of Cologne had died in the meantime, and -by his death Beethoven’s salary as chamber musician was cut off. - -The young artist’s obstinacy was not only displayed in his countenance, -but in his behavior toward other people. One day he was invited by an -old, wealthy Countess to a reception which she gave in honor of Prince -Louis Ferdinand of Prussia.[28] Beethoven accepted the invitation, for -he highly esteemed the Prince, with whom he was personally acquainted -and of whom he once said: “He plays the piano not like a Prince, but -like a correct, skilful musician.” There was music, and the Prince was -friendly and unconstrained in his intercourse with Beethoven. When they -were invited to supper Beethoven noticed that the haughty old Countess -had arranged to serve the Prince and certain gentlemen of the higher -nobility at a special table. He arose in a rage, uttered some coarse -expressions about the “old fool,” put on his hat, turned his back upon -the whole company, and rushed out like the thundering Jupiter. - -All the greater was his delight when the Prince shortly afterwards -compensated him in a most satisfactory manner. The Prince gave a dinner -of state a few days later, to which, besides Beethoven, the “old fool” -and the guests of the previous evening were invited. When they went to -the table he seated Beethoven at his right hand and the old Countess at -his left. Beethoven at last was contented, and chatted with the Prince -during the dinner in the most agreeable manner. - -Beethoven cordially despised what is called etiquette, and he neither -could nor would submit to the etiquette of the royal court. The Archduke -Rudolph[29] had prevailed upon Beethoven, though he was very unwilling -to do it, to give him lessons on the piano and in composition. He highly -esteemed the Prince, and on that account faithfully performed his “court -service,” as he called his lessons to the Archduke, but submission to -instructions from the court chamberlain, who tried to make him observe -the formalities of etiquette, was far from his intentions. The -chamberlain, however, did not relax his efforts to instruct him in the -regulations, and made all sorts of signs to him, until at last -Beethoven’s patience was completely worn out. - -One day, when the chamberlain attempted to give him a stricter lesson -than usual, Beethoven said in a violent tone: “Sir, follow me to the -Archduke’s room. I am sick of your everlasting court chamberlaining and -will make an end of it, once for all.” - -The chamberlain’s face grew a yard long at Beethoven’s order to go to -the Archduke, as well as at his furious tone. He indignantly refused to -obey the sharp command, and Beethoven might perhaps have been still more -vociferous had not the Archduke himself, who had heard the dispute, -opened the door at that instant and come out of his room. - -“What is going on here?” he asked, astonished at the wrathful expression -on Beethoven’s face. - -“Herr Archduke, I have the utmost possible respect for Your Royal -Highness, but if I am expected to obey all the orders and instructions -the court chamberlain is continually pestering me with, then I must give -up coming here any more, for I don’t care about such trifles.” - -The Archduke smiled good-naturedly and then turned with a serious -countenance to his chamberlain. - -“I must request you,” he said, “to let Herr van Beethoven go his own way -undisturbed. He is my teacher, and I regard myself simply as his pupil. -I consider it an honor to be one.” - -The chamberlain of course accepted this suggestion in silence, and -concealed his chagrin in a low bow. Beethoven did not again have cause -to complain of him. The chamberlain always kept out of his way if he -could. It was not, however, silly caprice and obstinacy which made -Beethoven so haughty, but simply the consciousness of his own greatness, -which made him feel himself a peer of all the great ones of the earth. -He would never humble himself, and he would not be humbled by any one -else; hence at times his justifiable haughtiness of manner. - -His outward circumstances improved every year that he spent in Vienna. -In 1792 he had the opportunity to avail himself of instruction by Haydn -and others, which greatly assisted his artistic progress. Eight years -later he had composed famous works, and was justly ranked as one of the -first masters in his art, whose star of glory shone not less brilliantly -than those of Mozart and Haydn. He visited in the highest circles of -Vienna society, and was on friendly terms with the most distinguished -members of the aristocracy of the Austrian capital. Notwithstanding -this, his manner of life was extremely simple; but he was somewhat -peculiar in his personal habits. A description of one day in his life -will give the reader some idea of his habits. - -It is a fine summer day. As the first rays of the sun stream into his -chamber, Beethoven springs from his bed and rushes to the basin to wash -in cool, fresh water. A bath was an absolute necessity to him. He pours -one pitcherful after another over his head and hands, and indulges so -freely in this refreshment that he does not notice the wash-basin is -running over. In a few minutes the floor is inundated, so that he is -standing in the water like a duck. He no longer thinks of the bath. His -head being refreshed, he begins composing, and while thus engaged -continually pours streams of water over his body, at the same time -roaring and humming to himself—for he had no voice for singing—in a way -that would have made a dog run. His old housekeeper in the outer room -hears the noise and knows from experience what it all means. She pounds -on the door with both fists and cries: “Alas! Herr van Beethoven! Herr -van Beethoven!” - -“What is the matter?” he thunders back from his room. - -“You will flood all Vienna if you go on in this way.” - -Now, for the first time, Beethoven comes to his senses. Ashamed of what -he has done, he discontinues his ablutions, quickly throws on his -clothes, and hurries to the desk in his room to create one of those -majestic masterpieces which are destined to astonish the world. Suddenly -he throws down his pen, and calls: “Christine!” - -The old housekeeper thrusts her head in the doorway. “What is your -pleasure, Herr van Beethoven?” - -“Coffee.” - -The head vanishes, but shortly after, the whole figure of the old woman -appears. With an air of solemnity she gives her master a tin box. -Beethoven opens it. It is filled with roasted coffee beans. Beethoven -sniffs their fragrance with delight, then takes the box and counts the -beans, one by one, with scrupulous accuracy, placing them in a little -pile on the table. - -“Sixty! hold!” he cries. “That is one cup. Now another.” Again he -carefully counts sixty beans, and then gives both piles to the -housekeeper. - -“Here is enough for two cups. Make it good, or I will make it myself -to-morrow.” - -The housekeeper promises to do her best, and Beethoven resumes his work, -sketching down notes with wonderful rapidity. When the housekeeper -brings the coffee, he sips it with evident satisfaction, and then goes -to the window to see what the weather is. - -“Beautiful! The sun shines! I will take a walk,” he says. - -“Oh, you never trouble yourself much about the weather,” suggests the -old woman. “We know that you run around the city two or three times -every day, whether it blows, rains, freezes, or snows. I believe you -would walk even if you knew that the heavens above you would fall.” - -Beethoven assents to this. “It is healthy.” Then he takes his hat and -disappears. - -He walks rapidly at first, until he is away from the bustle of the -streets. Then he slackens his speed, and moves on at a moderate pace, -with his hands behind him, his head thrown back, his eyes fixed upon the -sky. Sometimes he remains motionless, as if he were unconscious of the -world around him. Upon these occasions his figure rises to its full -height, and his eyes roll and flash brightly, looking upward or straight -forward with the eyeballs fixed and motionless. A moment of the highest -inspiration has come to him, as it often came, not alone in the streets, -but also in the midst of the gayest company. - -After some minutes of this inward ecstasy, Beethoven goes on his way, -runs around the city a few times, and then rushes to his house as if his -head were burning. People in the streets stare at him, wondering why he -hurries so, looking neither to the right nor to the left. In this way he -reaches his house, and enters his room. - -“For mercy’s sake, Herr van Beethoven, where have you left your hat?” -exclaims his housekeeper. - -Beethoven does not hear her. He rushes to the piano, plays beautiful -melodies for an hour, then hastens to his desk and writes with the -enthusiasm of one inspired. - -When he again lays down his pen his housekeeper ventures to approach him -and repeat her question—“For mercy’s sake, Herr van Beethoven, where -have you left your hat?” - -“Lost it, very likely,” he replies in a distracted sort of way. - -“But, sir, this is the third time in two months,” she says. “You are so -absent-minded I really must fasten your hat upon your head more -securely.” - -Beethoven smiles. “I will buy another,” he says, and thus the matter -ends. - -“Ries,”[30] calls Beethoven after a little. A young man soon appears, -and salutes the master reverently and tenderly. He is the son of -Beethoven’s old friend, chapelmaster Ries of Bonn. The great master, who -usually was extremely reluctant to give lessons, accepted the young man -as a pupil as a mark of gratitude to his father. Chapelmaster Ries had -been very kind to Beethoven’s mother in the last years of her life, and -Beethoven repaid his kindness by this favor to his son. - -“Let us get to work,” says he. - -Young Ries puts some sheets before the master, and, now at the piano, -now at the desk, they are speedily absorbed in their work, which is -continued until the housekeeper announces that dinner is ready. Work is -laid aside, and they refresh themselves with a frugal repast. Beethoven, -always simple in his tastes, drinks a little of the wine grown on the -heights around Buda.[31] Fresh, clear spring-water is his favorite -beverage, copious draughts of which satisfy his needs. - -After dinner they go out to enjoy the sylvan beauty of the Schönbrunn -gardens.[32] Ries accompanies the master, but there is little -conversation between them. Beethoven’s brain is restlessly at work. It -seems, indeed, that the beauty of the spot was made only for the purpose -of inspiring his musical ideas. He frequently stops, and jots them down -in a notebook which he always carries, and in which he preserves them -for future use. As evening approaches they return to the city. On their -arrival at home, the old housekeeper hands Beethoven two notes, which -had been delivered during his absence. One is from Prince Lichnowski, -simply inviting Beethoven to a musical soirée that evening. The other is -from Baron Swieten[33], and is characteristic enough. It runs: “Dear -Beethoven, if there is nothing to prevent, I should be glad to see you -about nine o’clock this evening, with your nightcap in your pocket.” - -“Well, this will do for to-day,” says Beethoven, as he throws both the -invitations on the table. “I feel at home with the Prince, and I can -enjoy myself at Van Swieten’s. But I shall be late to bed. When Van -Swieten tells me to come with my nightcap it means in plain language, ‘I -will not let you off before midnight.’ Well, let it be so. He is, at -least, a clever musician and a generous host. That’s all right. But when -you are continually pestered by people who have not the slightest idea -of music, and who only invite you that they may give their guests some -piano-pounding, and then force you to play until the blood under your -fingernails is on fire, the devil might stand it,—I won’t.” - -“Well, the Prince will not be likely to force you to play, and Van -Swieten just as little,” says Ries quietly. - -“Yes, you are right. I will go, and am glad to go.” - -And he goes. Between one and two in the morning he returns in a lively, -cheerful mood which promises pleasant dreams. He is in bed in five -minutes, and five minutes later is sleeping soundly. And so ends the -day—one day in Beethoven’s life. - - - - - _The End_ - - -Although Beethoven lived to see happy days and happy times in beautiful -Vienna, other days and other times succeeded them, darkened by a -terrible fate which only a strong and lofty spirit like his could endure -and even overcome. - -One fine summer evening Beethoven and his pupil, Ries, took a pleasant -ramble among the beautiful fields around Vienna. The setting sun flooded -the earth with a sea of gold and purple. Rosy clouds slowly floated in -the sky. High in air the lark sang its sweet-toned evening song. On a -green hillock sat a shepherd lad, filling the fields and woods around -with the pretty melody of his flute, which he had fashioned out of -elder. Beethoven and Ries stopped and quietly enjoyed the wonderful -beauty of the dying day. - -“How beautifully the song of the lark blends with the shepherd’s -melody,” said Ries. Beethoven leaned forward and listened. “Flute and -lark? I do not hear them,” he said, with an expression of painful -suspense on his face. - -[Illustration: _He had lost his hearing. Ries tried to console and calm - him_] - -“There is the young shepherd, playing on his pipe. Do you not see him?” - -“I see him,” said Beethoven in a pitiful tone. “I see him—but—I do not -hear him.” - -On that spot his distressing fate was pronounced. Beethoven, the -musician, who lived only in the realm of music, had lost his hearing! He -could no longer hear his own beautiful melodies! He would never hear -again the song of the nightingale, or the orchestra’s surging volume of -tone. - -His misfortune did not come suddenly, like a bolt out of the clear sky. -For years Beethoven had observed the gradual loss of his hearing, and -had sought medical help for it; but it was during this walk that the -conviction was at last forced upon him that there was no hope he would -ever be better. Silent, sad, and absorbed in gloomy thought, he went -home. Ries tried to console and calm him, but for such an artist, with -such an affliction, there could be no consolation, no relief except in -humble submission to the divine will. - -An extract from a letter written by him to his old true friend, Wegeler, -in Bonn, dated May 2, 1810, shows how keenly Beethoven felt this -affliction. He writes: “I, however, should have been happy, perhaps the -happiest of men, had not that demon taken possession of my ears. I have -read somewhere that man should not wilfully part from this life so long -as he can do even one good deed; and but for this I should ere now have -ceased to exist, and by my own hand too.” - -It could not well be otherwise. His total deafness could not but -exercise a depressing influence upon Beethoven’s disposition, even -though it could not completely dominate his strong character. Usually -frank, cordial, and confiding in his friends, Beethoven soon became -suspicious and distrustful, irritable and passionate. It was easy for -any outsider to slander his truest friends and set him against them. On -such occasions—and, alas, they were not rare—Beethoven would show no -outward sign of his enmity, utter no reproaches, make no complaints, and -not even call the suspected one to account. But from that time he would -exhibit the utmost contempt for him. At the same time he would feel the -deepest sorrow, and yet make no explanation of his conduct. When by some -chance the misunderstanding was cleared up, then Beethoven sought to -make reparation for his injustice in every possible way. He would offer -apologies, and not rest until reconciled to his injured friend. Then he -was as usual the truest friend, ready to help in every time of trouble -as much as it was in his power to do so. Even those nearest to him -bitterly felt the pain of his capricious disposition. - -“You cannot believe,” writes Stephen von Breuning, one of Beethoven’s -devoted friends at Bonn, “what an indescribable impression the decay of -his hearing has made upon Beethoven. Think what the feeling of -unhappiness must be in one of such earnest character, besides his -reserve and frequent distrust of his best friends and his irresolution -in many things. For the most part, when he expresses his original -feeling freely, intercourse with him is an actual exertion, as one can -never feel absolutely free.” - -True indeed; but was not the unfortunate one the most to be pitied? Let -us hear what he says about it himself. - -Early in 1802 Beethoven was attacked by an illness so dangerous that for -the first time he had serious doubts whether he should recover. His -friend, the celebrated Doctor Schmidt, checked the progress of the -disease, and when he was fully restored sent him to Heiligenstadt, a -village in the suburbs of Vienna. There in solitude, his mind busy with -thoughts about death, he wrote the following document, a kind of will, -addressed to his two brothers: - - “_For my brothers_, Carl _and_ Johann Beethoven: - - “Oh, you who consider or assert that I am hostile, obstinate, or - misanthropic, what injustice you do me! You know not the secret causes - of that which makes me appear so. My heart and my mind have been moved - by the tender feelings of affection from childhood. I have always been - disposed to perform great actions; but consider that for the last six - years I have been afflicted with a hopeless complaint, aggravated by - the unskilful treatment of physicians; that I have been disappointed - from year to year in the hope of relief, and am at last obliged to - submit to the endurance of an evil the removal of which may take - years, if it can be removed at all. Born with an ardent, lively - disposition, susceptible to the pleasures of society, I was forced at - an early age to renounce them, and pass my life in seclusion. When I - strove to rise above this, oh, how cruelly was I forced back by the - doubly painful experience of my defective hearing! And yet, how could - I say to people, ‘Speak louder—shout—for I am deaf’? How could I - proclaim the defect of a sense that I had once in the highest - perfection—a perfection which few of my colleagues ever surpassed? I - could not! Forgive me then when you see me refrain from mingling with - you, which I would very gladly do. My misfortune is doubly mortifying - to me, for it causes me to be misunderstood. I am cut off from - recreation in the society of my fellow-creatures, from the pleasures - of conversation, and from the enjoyment of friendship. Well-nigh alone - in the world, I dare not go into society more than is absolutely - necessary. I am obliged to live like an exile. If I go into company, a - painful anxiety seizes me lest I may be forced to betray my situation. - This has been my condition also during the half year I have spent in - the country. Enjoined by my sensible physician to spare my hearing as - much as possible, I have been almost encouraged by him in my present - disposition, though, carried away by fondness for society, I have - allowed myself to be drawn into it. But how humiliating it was when - one beside me could hear at a distance a flute that I could not hear, - or a shepherd singing, and I could not distinguish a sound! Such - things brought me to the verge of despair, and only my art restrained - my hand from putting an end to my life. It seemed impossible for me to - quit the world before I had completed the work which I felt myself set - apart to do. So I endured this wretched life—a life so absolutely - wretched that the slightest thing is capable of plunging me from the - best into the worst condition. I am told I must be patient. I have - been so. I hope I may be steadfast in my resolution to persevere until - it shall please the inexorable Fates to cut the thread. I may be - better, I may not. I am prepared for the worst,—I, who as early as my - twenty-eighth year was forced to become a philosopher. It is not - easy—it is harder for the artist than for any other. O God! Thou seest - my misery. Thou knowest that, wretched as I am, I love my - fellow-creatures, and am disposed to do good. O men! when you shall - read this, reflect that you have wronged me; and let the child of - affliction take comfort on finding one like himself, who, in spite of - all the impediments of nature, yet did his utmost to obtain admittance - into the ranks of worthy artists and worthy men.”[34] - -And he has been admitted to those ranks. Notwithstanding the malignant -disease which dispelled every outward joy of life, Beethoven created -those immortal symphonies, overtures, and sonatas, in which he proved -himself the greatest master of music and inscribed his name indelibly in -the history of the art. Misfortune could not overcome him. His splendid -genius made him superior to it. “I will clutch fate by the throat,” he -once wrote to a friend. “It never shall make me bow to it.” And it never -did. He wrestled manfully with it, and subjected it to his powerful -will. - -That in spite of this he was unsociable to the end, and often alienated -his nearest friends, is easily explained by the nature of his ailment, -which made conversation extremely difficult. It was due to this also -that Beethoven, always good-hearted and generous to the suffering, -experienced the ingratitude of his own brothers in various ways. He had -suffered them to come to Vienna, supported them in every way, and -sacrificed a considerable part of his income in their maintenance for a -year. They treated him with shameful ingratitude, and broke open his -chest and stole all the jewels, snuff-boxes, watches, rings, and other -souvenirs which had been given to Beethoven by high personages, in -recognition of his performances. Beethoven, that great, noble heart, -made no allusion to the theft; but the knowledge that those who were -nearest to him, who owed their very existence to him, upon whom he had -absolutely heaped benefactions, had lied to him, cheated him, and robbed -him,—such knowledge could not contribute to his happiness, cheerfulness, -and affability. - -And yet, notwithstanding all this, with all his misfortune, was -Beethoven actually unhappy? Was he alone in his gloomy solitude? He may -have been at first, but in his later life certainly not. - -The happiness of knowing he could create sublime masterpieces was -greater than the unhappiness of being deaf and misunderstood. He was not -solitary, for the divine genius of art always was his companion. -Beethoven was really happy because he was greater than his misfortunes. -Upon his heroic brow rests a more splendid ornament than the crown of -any king,—the laurel-wreath of everlasting fame, the radiant diadem of -immortality. - - - - - Footnotes - - -[1]Johann or Jean van Beethoven, father of the composer, was a tenor - singer in the chapel of the Elector of Cologne at Bonn. - -[2]Max Franz was brother of the Emperor Joseph II. - -[3]The Graus Haus, where Beethoven was born, is No. 515 in the Bonn - Gasse (Bonn Street), and is now marked by a tablet, placed there in - 1870. - -[4]Beethoven’s mother, Marie Magdelena Laym, was the daughter of the - chief cook at Ehrenbreitstein. - -[5]There is a question whether Beethoven was born on the 16th or 17th of - December, 1770. Probably he was born on the 16th. - -[6]Beethoven’s grandfather was Ludwig van Beethoven, chapelmaster for - the Elector of Cologne. He died in 1773, when his grandson was three - years of age. - -[7]Pfeiffer was a tenor singer in the opera at Bonn. - -[8]Van den Eeden was organist at the Court Chapel and an old friend of - Beethoven’s grandfather. - -[9]Neefe succeeded Van den Eeden as organist, and when he in turn gave - up the position, he left Beethoven in charge of the organ. - -[10]Seven Mountains. - -[11]A castle on the Rhine, twenty-two miles from Cologne. - -[12]Königswinter is seven miles from Bonn, and is the favorite resort of - tourists to the “Sieben Gebirge,” a mountainous region famous for its - picturesque beauty. - -[13]Dr. Wegeler was a physician of Bonn, who subsequently married - Eleonora von Breuning, a daughter in the Breuning family, Beethoven’s - devoted friends. - -[14]Beethoven had four brothers, viz.: Ludwig Maria, born April 1, 1769; - Caspar Anton Carl, April 7, 1774; Nikolaus Johann, Oct. 1, 1776; - August Franz Georg, Jan. 16, 1781; and two sisters, the elder of - whom, born Feb. 23, 1779, lived only four days, and Maria Margaretha - Josepha, born May 4, 1786. - -[15]Reader. - -[16]“Auf wiedersehen,” or, “till we see each other again,” equivalent to - the French “Au revoir.” - -[17]Frau von Breuning was the widow of the electoral counsellor von - Breuning. The family consisted of three sons and a daughter, - Eleonora, who for some time was a pupil of Beethoven, and eventually - married Dr. Wegeler. Beethoven dedicated his first variations for the - piano to her. - -[18]Franz Anton Ries, violinist, was born at Bonn, Nov. 10, 1755, and - was a teacher and friend of Beethoven. His son Ferdinand was a pupil - of Beethoven. - -[19]The Count von Waldstein was a patron of the arts and a connoisseur - in music. He was of special service to Beethoven, who dedicated to - him his great Sonata (op. 53). - -[20]Beethoven was appointed organist to the electoral chapel in 1785, - being then in his fifteenth year. - -[21]Dr. Heinrich Doring, in his “Life and Characteristics of Beethoven,” - says: “He preferred the English writers to the French. Thompson is - his favorite poet, but particularly great is his admiration for - Shakespeare.” - -[22]A bass singer in the electoral chapel. - -[23]Prince Karl Lichnowski was a highly cultivated nobleman, and a pupil - of Mozart. His consort, Princess Christiane, born Countess of Thun, - was also refined, scholarly, and devoted to music. - -[24]Mozart was at this time thirty-one, and Beethoven seventeen years of - age. - -[25]Gluck was born in 1714, and Haydn in 1732, so at this time (1788) - Gluck was seventy-four and Haydn fifty-six years of age. Both these - composers made Vienna their home, and both died there. - -[26]Haydn was at this time returning from his visit to England. - -[27]Beethoven was now in the twenty-second year of his age. - -[28]Prince Louis Ferdinand of Prussia, nephew of Frederick the Great, - was born Nov. 18, 1772, and died on the battlefield at Saalfeld, Oct. - 10, 1806. He was an excellent pianist and composer, and so fond of - music that he kept musicians with him in the army. - -[29]Archduke Rudolph, son of Leopold of Tuscany and Marie Louise of - Spain, was born at Florence, Jan. 8, 1788, and died at Vienna, July - 24, 1831. He was a pupil of Beethoven, but eventually gave up music - and went into the Church, and was appointed cardinal. - -[30]Ferdinand Ries, pianist and composer, and the pupil of Beethoven, - was born at Bonn, Nov. 28, 1784, and died at Frankfurt, Jan. 13, - 1838. He was considered one of the best pianists of his time. - -[31]Buda is that part of Budapest lying on the west bank of the Danube. - -[32]These gardens were attached to the imperial palace of Schönbrunn. - -[33]Baron Gottfried van Swieten was a distinguished musical amateur and - a patron of Beethoven and Haydn. Beethoven dedicated his first - symphony to him. - -[34]In the original text the will ends at this point. The remaining - portion directs Doctor Schmidt to describe his disease, makes his two - brothers his heirs, and expresses his joy that when death comes, it - will release him from constant suffering. The will is dated Oct. 6, - 1802. - - - - - Appendix - - -The following is a chronological statement of the principal events in -the life of Ludwig van Beethoven, which was mostly spent in Vienna, and -mainly devoted to composition: - - 1770 Born at Bonn, Prussia, Dec. 16. - 1783 First composition, “Variations on a March.” - 1785 Appointed Court Organist. - 1787 Sent to Vienna by Elector of Cologne to study with Mozart. - 1792 Second visit to Vienna to study with Haydn. - 1795 Composed three trios in Vienna, marked Opus 1, indicating that - he regarded all he had previously produced as of no consequence. - 1796 Made an artistic tour in North Germany. - 1797 First Symphony. - 1798 Deafness began, and continually increased during the remainder - of his life. - 1802 Second Symphony. - 1803 Oratorio of “Mount of Olives” performed in Vienna. - 1804 Third Symphony (“Eroica”). - 1805 Composed “Fidelio,” his only opera. - 1806 Fourth Symphony. - 1808 Fifth Symphony. - 1808 Sixth Symphony (“Pastoral”). - 1812 Seventh Symphony. - 1812 Eighth Symphony (“The Little”). - 1822 Mass in D. - 1823 Ninth Symphony (“Choral”). - 1827 Died in Vienna, Dec. 26. - - - - - LIFE STORIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE - - AN ATTRACTIVE SERIES FOR CHILDREN - - - _TITLES_ - - _HISTORICAL_ - - BARBAROSSA - WILLIAM OF ORANGE - MARIA THERESA - THE MAID OF ORLEANS - FREDERICK THE GREAT - THE LITTLE DAUPHIN - HERMANN AND THUSNELDA - THE SWISS HEROES - EMPEROR WILLIAM I - LOUISE, QUEEN OF PRUSSIA - THE YOUTH OF THE GREAT ELECTOR - ELIZABETH, EMPRESS OF AUSTRIA AND QUEEN OF HUNGARY - MARIE ANTOINETTE’S YOUTH - THE DUKE OF BRITTANY - - _MUSICAL BIOGRAPHY_ - - BEETHOVEN - MOZART - JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH - JOSEPH HAYDN - - _LEGENDARY_ - - FRITHJOF SAGA - GUDRUN - THE NIBELUNGS - WILLIAM TELL - ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED - UNDINE - - - Sold single or boxed in sets of two, four, and eight volumes - - Uniform size, 5 × 6¾ inches. Green cloth binding, stamped in white and - gold. Each, 60 cents net; by mail, 68 cents - - - A. C. McCLURG & CO. - PUBLISHERS - NEW YORK CHICAGO SAN FRANCISCO - - - - - LIFE STORIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE - - _Translated from the German by_ - GEORGE P. UPTON - - 24 Volumes Now Ready - - _Historical and Biographical_ - - Barbarossa - William of Orange - Maria Theresa - The Maid of Orleans - Frederick the Great - The Little Dauphin - Herman and Thusnelda - The Swiss Heroes - Marie Antoinette’s Youth - The Duke of Brittany - Louise, Queen of Prussia - The Youth of the Great Elector - Emperor William First - Elizabeth, Empress of Austria - - _Musical Biography_ - - Beethoven - Mozart - Johann Sebastian Bach - Joseph Haydn - - _Legendary_ - - Frithjof Saga - Gudrun - The Nibelungs - William Tell - Arnold of Winkelried - Undine - - Illustrated. Each 60 cents _net_ - - _In Preparation_ - - Eugenie, Empress of the French - Charlemagne - Prince Eugene - Queen Marie - Sophie of Naples - - A. C. McCLURG & CO., Chicago - - - - - Transcriber’s Notes - - ---Copyright notice provided as in the original—this e-text is public - domain in the country of publication. - ---In the text versions, delimited italics text in _underscores_ (the - HTML version reproduces the font form of the printed book.) - ---Silently corrected palpable typos; left non-standard spellings and - dialect unchanged. - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Ludwig Van Beethoven (Life Stories for -Young People), by Franz Hoffman and George P. 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margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; } - -</style> -</head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Ludwig Van Beethoven (Life Stories for -Young People), by Franz Hoffman and George P. Upton - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Ludwig Van Beethoven (Life Stories for Young People) - -Author: Franz Hoffman - George P. Upton - -Release Date: July 23, 2020 [EBook #62742] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN *** - - - - -Produced by D A Alexander, Stephen Hutcheson, and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net -(This file was produced from images generously made -available by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - -<div class="img"> -<img class="cover" id="coverpage" src="images/cover.jpg" alt="Ludwig van Beethoven" width="500" height="698" /> -</div> -<div class="img" id="pic1"> -<img src="images/p00.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="712" /> -<p class="caption"><i>When the child saw him he shrank back afraid, and hid his face in his mother’s dress</i> (<a class="pgref" href="#Page_17">Page 17</a>)</p> -</div> -<div class="box"> -<p class="center"><span class="sc"><i>Life Stories for Young People</i></span></p> -<h1><span class="smaller">LUDWIG VAN</span> -<br />BEETHOVEN</h1> -<p class="center"><span class="large"><i>Translated from the German of -<br />Franz Hoffmann</i></span></p> -<p class="center"><span class="small">BY</span> -<br /><span class="large">GEORGE P. UPTON</span> -<br /><span class="small"><i>Translator of “Memories,” etc.</i></span></p> -<p class="center smaller">THIRD PRINTING</p> -<div class="img"> -<img src="images/p01.jpg" alt="A. C. McCLURG & CO." width="200" height="199" /> -</div> -<p class="center">CHICAGO -<br />A. C. McCLURG & CO. -<br />1910</p> -</div> -<p class="center small"><span class="sc">Copyright -<br />A. C. McClurg & Co.</span> -<br />1904 -<br />Published October 1, 1904</p> -<p class="center smaller">THE UNIVERSITY PRESS -<br />CAMBRIDGE, U. S. A.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_v">v</div> -<h2>Preface</h2> -<p>The life-story of Beethoven, contained -in these pages, is a <i>résumé</i> of the events -of his childhood and youth, those of his -maturer years being merely indicated in -order to give symmetry to the narrative. It covers -just that period of his life in which young readers -are likely to be interested. Those who have the -leisure and inclination to study the details of his -entire career will find them in the biographies of -Schindler, Ries, Marx, Thayer, and others, but it -is questionable whether any of these will bring -the reader as closely to the actual man and musician -as this little story. And this is so not only -because it is a story, but because it is a story -true to life, with actual, not imaginary, personages, -set in a social, domestic, and musical environment -which is accurately reproduced, and dealing with -historical events which are correctly stated. In a -strict sense, therefore, it is not fiction, far less is it -rhapsody; and to this extent it is valuable not -alone for facts charmingly set forth, but for effects -which are realistic and which seem to bring the -actual Beethoven before the reader. It is the story -of a sad struggle against obstacles which sometimes -appeared almost insuperable; but its lesson for -youth is the reward of world-wide fame which followed -the exercise of industry, courage, honesty, -self-respect, and self-devotion to his calling. The -translator has endeavored to reproduce the story in -an English setting without sacrificing its charming -German characteristics.</p> -<p><span class="jr">G. P. U.</span></p> -<p><span class="small"><span class="sc">Chicago</span>, September 1, 1904.</span></p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_vii">vii</div> -<h2>Contents</h2> -<dl class="toc"> -<dt><a href="#c1"><span class="sc">In Childhood</span></a> 11</dt> -<dt><a href="#c2"><span class="sc">The Walk</span></a> 26</dt> -<dt><a href="#c3"><span class="sc">New Friends</span></a> 49</dt> -<dt><a href="#c4"><span class="sc">A Merciful Punishment</span></a> 65</dt> -<dt><a href="#c5"><span class="sc">In Vienna</span></a> 83</dt> -<dt><a href="#c6"><span class="sc">The End</span></a> 108</dt> -<dt><a href="#c7"><span class="sc">Appendix</span></a> 117</dt> -</dl> -<div class="pb" id="Page_ix">ix</div> -<h2 id="tocill">List of Illustrations</h2> -<dl class="toc"> -<dt><a href="#pic1">When the child saw him he shrank back afraid, and hid his face in his mother’s dress</a><i>Frontispiece</i></dt> -<dt class="jr"><span class="smaller"><i>Facing page</i></span></dt> -<dt><a href="#pic2">With an exclamation of joy he embraced Wegeler</a>34</dt> -<dt><a href="#pic3">Beethoven approached within a couple of steps of the Elector, the latter scrutinizing him with a sharp glance</a>77</dt> -<dt><a href="#pic4">He had lost his hearing. Ries tried to console and calm him</a>109</dt> -</dl> -<div class="pb" id="Page_11">11</div> -<h2><img class="inline" src="images/lyre.png" alt="lyre" width="37" height="61" /> <span class="xlarge">Beethoven</span> <img class="inline" src="images/lyre.png" alt="lyre" width="37" height="61" /></h2> -<h2 id="c1"><i>In Childhood</i></h2> -<p>December days are not usually considered -the most agreeable or most comfortable -days of the year, but no December day -could have been more disagreeable or uncomfortable -than the seventeenth of that month in -1774. A dense, almost impenetrable fog enveloped -that afternoon the city of Bonn on the Rhine, and -the country for miles around, in a cold, gray veil of -mist, through which hardly a ray of sunshine could -find its way. A fine rain, mingled with occasional -flakes of snow, drizzled through the fog and made -the pavements slippery and filthy. Everything one -looked upon, whether animate or inanimate, seemed -disagreeable. The sky was disagreeable. Disagreeably -the trees and shrubs in avenues and gardens -shook their leafless branches to free them from the -frozen raindrops which weighed them down. The -houses in the street were disagreeable, and their -usually attractive and brightly lighted windows -appeared that day most inhospitable. Disagreeably -and sullenly the rooks sat upon the roof-tops, -and the sparrows themselves, usually the sauciest -and jolliest companions among the feathered folk, -fluttered about anxiously, deserted each other, and -sought the warmest and driest little nooks in the -cornices, or near a warm chimney, without any concern -for the rest of the world. If two acquaintances -met on the street, the one greeted the other -with a woe-begone countenance. Everything seemed -depressed and disagreeable—the huckster women in -the market, the sentries at their posts, the few pedestrians -on the promenade, and the few faces which -appeared here and there at the darkened windows -and looked with lonesome gaze into the tedious, -gray, dense, cold fog.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_12">12</div> -<p>No person or object, however, appeared more irritable, -morose, and disagreeable than the court musician -and singer, Herr Johann van Beethoven,<a class="fn" id="fr_1" href="#fn_1">[1]</a> who -hurried through the unfriendly streets of Bonn, on -the third hour of that afternoon, frequently muttering -to himself imprecations and other exclamations -to relieve his feelings.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_13">13</div> -<p>“What weather!” he growled, as he wrapped his -threadbare cloak around him more closely, when, in -turning a street corner, a sharp gust of wind smote -him fiercely. “Everything goes wrong in these -ill-fated days. It is enough to drive one mad. -Two hours lost already this morning. Now I am -sent for again to make music because my lady is -not in good humor! Do these distinguished people -think that a musician of His Most Serene Highness, -Max Franz,<a class="fn" id="fr_2" href="#fn_2">[2]</a> Elector of Cologne, is a bootblack? -I am tired of it all! And this weather, too! -Nothing but fog and rain, and not a kreuzer in -one’s pocket! There may be those who can bear -such things patiently. I can’t. Pah! The innkeeper -will trust me once more. I will go to him, -and better thoughts will come with something to -strengthen the heart and some lively company.”</p> -<p>Muttering these words, he turned into a side street, -and after a few hundred paces entered a house, over -the door of which hung a green wreath, signifying -that wine was sold there. It was not until twilight -fell, and the streets, already darkened by the fog, -became doubly dark, that he came out. Another -person followed, escorting him with a light, evidently -so that he might not stumble upon the door-sill.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_14">14</div> -<p>“Good-night, Herr van Beethoven,” this person -said. “I must look after my own interests. I must -have the money in eight days, or credit stops. I -also am the father of a family, Herr van Beethoven, -and must take care of my own.”</p> -<p>“Don’t make so many words, gossip,” replied the -musician with some bitterness. “I give you my -word of honor. You know me. Can you not act -generously with me?”</p> -<p>The musician went on his way. The other, evidently -the keeper of the wine-shop, looked after him, -shaking his head.</p> -<p>“What a pity,” he said to himself. “He well -deserves better fortune. He is a pleasant, good-natured -companion, but certainly his position as a -member of the court chapel pays him but little, -and it costs money to feed a wife and two little -children. But he is past help. I cannot give him -credit longer than eight days at the most. He -already owes me too much.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_15">15</div> -<p>While the wine-shop keeper was making these -reflections, his guest found his way with difficulty -through the dark streets. Had it been lighter, one -would have noticed by his actions that his craving -for a “heart strengthener” had in no way bettered -his condition. On the contrary, he appeared even -more sullen and morose than when he found it. His -brow was wrinkled. His lips, tightly closed by his -bitter feelings, opened only to utter imprecations and -words of discontent, as they had done a little while -before.</p> -<p>After walking around for about five minutes he -reached the Bonn Gasse. Here he lived in a small, -narrow, dark part of the “Graus Haus.”<a class="fn" id="fr_3" href="#fn_3">[3]</a> He entered -boisterously, and with great difficulty climbed -the dark, narrow staircase.</p> -<p>“Is it you, Johann?” asked a gentle voice on the -floor above, while at the same time a gleam of light -illumined the darkness.</p> -<p>“It is I,” replied the musician sullenly. “Have I -come home a little too early, Marie?”</p> -<p>“Never too early, and you are always welcome, -Johann,” replied the first voice, with the same gentleness -as before. A pretty but somewhat faded woman -stepped forward and cordially gave her hand to her -husband to assist him up the last steps.<a class="fn" id="fr_4" href="#fn_4">[4]</a> “What -is the matter, Johann? You seem so gloomy! -Think of it, this is the birthday of our little -Ludwig.”<a class="fn" id="fr_5" href="#fn_5">[5]</a></p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_16">16</div> -<p>The husband was visibly surprised, and pressed -his hand to his brow.</p> -<p>“That I should have forgotten it!” he exclaimed. -“But,” he added bitterly, “how would it have -helped matters, anyway? I have not a kreuzer -with which to make the little one happy.”</p> -<p>“Oh! do not let that trouble you, dear husband,” -replied his wife, smiling. “Ludwig is happy enough, -and cares nothing for presents and the like. If you -would sing a little bit to him and play the piano a -little he would be perfectly contented.”</p> -<p>“Certainly he can have that much, and at least it -costs nothing,” replied Johann Beethoven in a somewhat -more cheerful manner, as he returned the cordial -handshake of his wife. “Yes, I will sing and -play, and thereby drive the bad spirit of discontent -out of my soul.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_17">17</div> -<p>The two stepped into a small, narrow, meanly -furnished apartment, where they were welcomed with -a loud cry of joy by a little four-year-old boy, who -stretched out both his little hands to his mother. -He may have been somewhat timid in the dark -room, and the sight of his mother returning with the -light elicited from him the outcry. It had little -consolation for the father, however, for when the child -saw him he shrank back afraid, and hid his face in -the folds of his mother’s dress.</p> -<p>“Be polite, Ludwig, dear child,” she said kindly -to him. “It is your father. Give him a pat of -the hand.”</p> -<p>The boy timidly stretched out his hand, but his -father did not take it. It was evident the child’s -conduct had displeased him, for his eyes were again -gloomy and his brows wrinkled.</p> -<p>“It’s of no use,” he said, repulsing the mother, -who sought to conciliate her husband. “I know -already what you will say, ‘Children are children, and -I’—well, certainly I am not always the tenderest of -fathers to his own. But how can one be so when -there is nothing for him but poverty, wretchedness, -and thirstiness?”</p> -<p>Ill-humoredly he threw off his cloak, and with a -gloomy countenance paced to and fro in the narrow -chamber. Ludwig and his mother quietly withdrew -to a corner. She could scarcely keep back the tears. -Her little son clung to her anxiously and tenderly.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_18">18</div> -<p>Some minutes passed in gloomy, oppressive stillness. -At last Johann Beethoven, without saying a -word, seated himself at the piano and touched the -keys. The tender tones which he drew from the -instrument seemed gradually to allay his agitation -and brighten his darkened countenance. He played -on, and finally began the pleasant melody of a folk-song, -gently humming it at first, and then singing it -with the full power of his voice.</p> -<p>Upon hearing the first tones of the song, the -little Ludwig raised his head and fixed his gaze -with rapt attention and glistening eyes upon his -father. As he began to sing aloud, the boy got -down from his mother’s lap and, step by step, -unheard by his father, approached him, until he -stood close by his side, and clung to him as tenderly -as he had clung to his mother a moment before. -All his fears were dispelled by the soothing, -gentle tones of the music. He listened only to -them. All else was buried and forgotten. His -eyes were raised to heaven, he stood transfixed, and -his young soul fluttered, as if on wings, among the -soft modulations of the simple yet heart-stirring, -beautiful melody of the song.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_19">19</div> -<p>His father stopped abruptly, turned round, and -saw the child standing near him, as it were, in a kind -of ecstasy.</p> -<p>“Ha! Ludwig, are you dreaming?” he asked, not -harshly as before, but with an entirely changed and -softer tone.</p> -<p>“No, father, I was only listening to you,” replied -the child, “and it seemed to me that I heard an angel -singing in heaven. It was beautiful. Oh, if I -could only play something too!”</p> -<p>“Try it,” said his father encouragingly, as he -placed the boy’s fingers upon the keys. “Keep -your fingers firm and let them follow as I guide -them.”</p> -<p>The little Ludwig was greatly pleased. His father -repeated the melody which had so much delighted -him. After he had played it a few times, the boy -said:</p> -<p>“It is all right now, father. Now I can play it -all alone.”</p> -<p>“Oho!” said his father. “You can hardly do -that yet. You are venturing a little too far.”</p> -<p>“Only let me try,” persisted the boy.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_20">20</div> -<p>His father let him do as he wished. He seated -himself at the piano; at first he ran his fingers over -the keys and then accurately began the folk melody, -which he played smoothly to the end without hesitation -or mistake.</p> -<p>His father, who had not expected any kind of -excellence in the performance, sat as if spell-bound -and regarded the boy with wide-open eyes.</p> -<p>“Youngster, truly there is more in you than I -have expected or thought of until to-day,” he exclaimed, -and, taking him upon his knee, he kissed -his fresh, young lips. “You will yet become a -finished musician, and a support for your father and -mother.”</p> -<p>“I wish for nothing better than to be able to -make music correctly,” said the boy, as he joyfully -clapped his hands.</p> -<p>“Good! No one shall prevent you, and I myself -will be your teacher,” said his father. “If you are -truly industrious, you will get ahead wonderfully, -provided you do not go too fast and will practise -regularly.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_21">21</div> -<p>No sooner said than done. The father began at -once to teach his son the piano and the violin. At -first it seemed as if both father and son would enjoy -the work. But it was only at first. It was soon -apparent that the little Ludwig was possessed of the -most extraordinary obstinacy. The continual finger -and other dry exercises soon disgusted him, and he -played them with unconcealed and extreme reluctance. -He was willing to be faithful in his piano -practice, but only in his own, not in his father’s way. -Owing to the latter’s temper, this sometimes occasioned -violent scenes. Johann Beethoven was -easily excited to anger, and once irritated he lost -all control of himself. He hurled taunts and reproaches -at the boy, and boxed his ears; but Ludwig -bore it all with unyielding firmness, and confronted -his father defiantly in these outbreaks. Then his -mother would weep and earnestly beseech her husband -to have patience with the boy, who was too -little and childish to understand. She usually appeased -his anger, for, in reality, he was kind and -tender-hearted. The stubborn little fellow likewise -could not long withstand the piteous appeals of his -mother. His defiant heart at last would yield -to her caresses, and for a while he would good-naturedly -submit to his father’s directions.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_22">22</div> -<p>But of course it was only for a little while. His -old obstinacy would continually block the way, and -sometimes the situation would become so intolerable -that the boy would declare he would have nothing -more to do with music. The violent outbreaks -would occur afresh. Reproaches, threats, and punishment -were not spared, but they served only to -make the boy still more obstinate and completely to -harden him against his father. In fact, the danger -that the little Beethoven might abandon music -altogether could not have been averted had not -the happy influence of his mother’s loving appeals -continually drawn him back to its sweet -diversion.</p> -<p>There was still another thing that kept the -sacred flame alive in the breast of the boy, and -that was the frequent absence of his father, which -permitted him to follow the inclinations of his own -caprice and pleasure, and to draw beautiful accords -and melodies, now from the piano, now from the -violin.</p> -<p>Upon one occasion, when his father had treated -him with unusual severity and had looked at him -threateningly, the boy fled with his violin to his -little bed-chamber, and there, shut out from all the -world, gave vent to his anger and his sorrow in -mournful tones. As this did not help to allay his -inward tumults his mother, as a last expedient, -adopted a course which always had the happiest -result; namely, she told him of his dead grandfather,<a class="fn" id="fr_6" href="#fn_6">[6]</a> -of whom the boy had preserved active -and loving memories, and whose life-sized portrait -hung in his chamber, thus keeping him freshly in -remembrance.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_23">23</div> -<p>This grandfather in his lifetime was a highly -esteemed and distinguished man, and had served as -chapelmaster for Max Frederick of Cologne. The -little Ludwig looked up to him as an exemplar for -his future life. When his mother told him how -beautifully he sang in the opera, what a fine, stately -man he was, and how high he stood in the favor of -his electoral patron, the boy listened with the most -eager attention to every word, and not infrequently -exclamations would escape from him, such as, “I -shall have as great success,” or, “I shall become a -famous man also, mother.”</p> -<p>Then the patient woman smiled, kissed the boy’s -red cheeks, and all that had happened before between -father and son was buried in the sea of -forgetfulness.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_24">24</div> -<p>Some years passed in this way, ending as unsatisfactorily -for the father as for the son. The former, -when the little Ludwig was seven years old, at last -realized that his method of teaching was not adapted -to him and that they must look about for another -and more suitable teacher. Fortunately they found -such a one, first in the person of chapelmaster -Pfeiffer,<a class="fn" id="fr_7" href="#fn_7">[7]</a> -later in court organist Van den Eeden,<a class="fn" id="fr_8" href="#fn_8">[8]</a> -and then in court organist Neefe,<a class="fn" id="fr_9" href="#fn_9">[9]</a> all of whom instructed -him in piano, violin, and organ playing; -also in composition.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_25">25</div> -<p>Ludwig now made rapid and truly astonishing -progress in his art. The applause of his teachers -was accorded to him in most plentiful measure. -He developed into a capable and thorough musician. -Every one who knew him esteemed and loved -him; and yet the already mature boy was not inwardly -happy. There was a secret sorrow in his -breast, which embittered his life and dispelled all -his joyousness. He never had a glowing face and -laughing eyes, like other young men of his age. -Silent, reserved, and absorbed in himself, he went his -way, and many a one who saw him walking sadly -through the streets of Bonn looked wonderingly -after him, and probably said, “That is a strange -expression of countenance for such a young fellow -to wear.”</p> -<p>Indeed, people knew not what oppressed the -young Beethoven and what had prematurely given -him such a serious and melancholy disposition. -Fortunately, however, the time was not far distant -which would bring him a friend in whom he could -fully confide, and to whom he could unreservedly -pour out all the cares and troubles of his heart.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_26">26</div> -<h2 id="c2"><i>The Walk</i></h2> -<p>A divine spring day filled the beautiful -Rhine valley with radiance and light. -The surface of the river glistened as if -strewn with thousands of diamonds. On -the not far away “Sieben Gebirge”<a class="fn" id="fr_10" href="#fn_10">[10]</a> hung a blue haze, -like a fine transparent veil, not concealing, but only -beautifying and softening the rugged outlines of the -peaks. The island of Nonnenwerth, with its bright -green foliage, was set in the river like an emerald, -and high above it on the left bank gleamed the red -ruins of the old castle of Rolandseck<a class="fn" id="fr_11" href="#fn_11">[11]</a>—a suggestion -of the flight of time in the midst of the peaceful, -restful, perfect beauty of the present.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_27">27</div> -<p>It was Sunday. Near and far sounded the peal -of bells. The crisp tones from the little chapels -and village churches mingled harmoniously with the -deep diapason of the great church bells in Bonn, -and with their trembling vibrations filled the beautiful -landscape, which seemed listening in prostrate -devotion. Hardly any other sound than that of -the bells could be distinguished. Even the little -song-birds, which a short time before had chirped -and twittered loudly and joyously, were now quiet. -Sunday peace and Sunday silence rested upon city -and plain.</p> -<p>A young man slowly walked along a path which -leads from Bonn down to the Rhine, threading its -way through fields and meadows. He was simply -and somewhat shabbily but neatly clad. One forgot, -however, his modest attire as one looked into -the face of the wanderer and saw those eyes in which -ever and anon bright gleams sparkled and revealed -the holy fire in his spirit. For the moment he had -no regard for the beauty of surrounding nature. -He only listened. His soul was floating, as it were, -in a sea of tones, which, now loudly, now softly, -like the breaking of ocean waves on the shore, -forced themselves upon his tensely strained nerves -and filled him with emotion. For a time he gazed -up into the bright blue sky with gleaming eyes, and -folded his hands upon his breast, like one in ecstasy, -as if thereby he could relieve this flood of rapture. -Then he advanced a few steps, but again paused, -and, muttering to himself some unintelligible exclamations, -flung both hands suddenly and wildly -about in the air.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_28">28</div> -<p>He continued for a moment this strange action, -which not only would have caused a quiet passerby -to smile, but might have amazed him. His -amazement, however, would have lasted only until -he had seen the piercing eyes of the young man -and the lofty expression upon his brow, around -which hung thick, bushy hair like a lion’s mane. -His eyes and forehead saved him from the ridicule -which his otherwise insignificant appearance might -have excited, and made it, if not exalted, at least -entitled to respect.</p> -<p>Softly the bells pealed on. Only a gentle and -gradually dying away murmur trembled in the almost -motionless air. The young man remained -immovable, his head bowed upon his breast, until -the last vibrations had died away. Then, like one -awakening from a dream, he raised his head and -looked around with a quiet, gentle glance. He -was already within a few hundred steps of the Rhine, -and on the opposite shore gleamed brightly and -hospitably the houses of Königswinter,<a class="fn" id="fr_12" href="#fn_12">[12]</a> above which -rose the lofty, huge, and majestic peaks of the -Seven Mountains.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_29">29</div> -<p>“I will go over there,” he said to himself. “The -day is so beautiful, one should improve it.”</p> -<p>With quick steps he went down to the bank of -the river and sprang into one of the boats lying there, -saying to the boatman the single word, “Across.”</p> -<p>Arrived on the other side, he threw the boatman -a little silver piece and then took the first, best road -he came to and went on at random. Soon he found -himself in a shadowy beech wood, whose light green -leaves rustled high above him. In one lighter spot -he could see the blue sky through the foliage, and -here and there a sunbeam found its way through -the dense leaves and glistened at the young wanderer’s -feet like a sparkling jewel or a bright silver -shield.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_30">30</div> -<p>There were no people in the wood. The bustle -of the world did not penetrate its dusky recesses, -but, notwithstanding this, there was joyousness and -liveliness in its broad, dark halls. Numberless songbirds -swung on the slender branches or flew lightly -from bough to bough. The finches warbled their -lively, rollicking songs. The blackbirds and song -thrushes sang their soft and yet full-toned strophes. -In the distance the cuckoo intoned its name. The -young wanderer heard and watched it all, and, filled -with happy feelings, his face wore a more cheerful -aspect. No sound in this beautiful solitude escaped -his acute ears,—not the rustle of the leaves when a -gentle breeze stirred them; not the light gurgling -and splashing of the little brook along the bank of -which his course led him; not the rush of the water -when it plunged over rocks and made pretty little -waterfalls; not the tapping of the woodpecker, -whose strong bill pierced the bark of the tree that -concealed insects and larvæ; not the sharp scream -of a large bird of prey, high overhead; and, least -of all, the ravishing song of a nightingale, which -suddenly rose from a thicket close by the side of -the lonely wanderer, so full, so tender, so pensive -and heart-stirring, that he remained motionless and -forgot all else that he might listen only to this -wonderful, inspiring song.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_31">31</div> -<p>“Brava, bravissima,” he involuntarily exclaimed, -as the lovely singer shook its pretty feathers, and -then, following a gently alluring call, probably the -cry of its mate, flew as swiftly as an arrow through -the bushes. “The utmost that can be accomplished -in a bird’s throat is in thy song, charming Philomel; -but the artist still must create the higher things,—so -high that they bring him near to the divine. And -this height I will and shall attain, with God’s help.”</p> -<p>The young man uttered these last words loudly -in the wood, but hardly had he done so when a -merry and mocking laugh came back in reply. -For an instant he felt a little frightened, but immediately -recovered himself, and angrily answered:</p> -<p>“Who laughs there? I hope no one here is -making sport of me.”</p> -<p>“I have taken the liberty to do so,” said a young -man, stepping forward from behind the trunk of a -beech-tree and making a low bow with a slightly -ironical smile. “If you wish to resent it, honorable -sir, I herewith surrender myself to your merciful -judgment.”</p> -<p>The angry frown which his words had caused disappeared, -and Beethoven good-naturedly extended -his hand, which the stranger cordially shook.</p> -<p>“Very learned Franz Gerhard Wegeler,<a class="fn" id="fr_13" href="#fn_13">[13]</a> worthy -student of medicine,” he said, “what chance brought -you into this solitude, where I fancied I was all alone -and far from the human rabble?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_32">32</div> -<p>“Doubtless the same chance which brought my -melodious friend here,” replied the other. “Yes, -my excellent master of tone, my Ludwig van Beethoven, -it was the blue sky and golden sun which -enticed me out of the dull study-room into God’s -glorious world, where at least one can get a breath -of fresh air and enjoy the wonderful works of the -Almighty. Was not that your object also, worthy -pupil of Mistress Musica?”</p> -<p>Ludwig nodded assent. “For all that, it is a -strange and remarkable chance that we should have -met each other in this solitary wood,” he said.</p> -<p>“Not altogether strange and not very wonderful, -my dear fellow,” replied Wegeler, “for in crossing -the Rhine I engaged the same boatman who took -you over. Knowing that we were old acquaintances, -he told me that you had crossed scarcely half an -hour before, and were roving about in this wood. -As I would rather have company than walk alone, -I followed your trail, found you lost in ecstasy over -a nightingale, and finally learned, for you announced -it in an exceedingly loud tone of voice, that you -intended shortly to soar to the very Deity. That -made me laugh; but you will excuse me when you -reflect that the ascent to the Deity is a somewhat -difficult performance for one of your years, unless -you make what they call a ‘salto mortale’ (deadly -leap). It is the easiest way in the world to break -one’s neck or bones.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_33">33</div> -<p>Ludwig again frowned a little, but quickly smoothed -his brow with his hand, as if wiping away all troubles -and gloomy thoughts. “You are right,” said he. -“I was a fool to entertain such bold fancies and -daring hopes. And this, too, in my melancholy -circumstances and wretched plight! It is not possible. -I was mad, that I was.” With these last -words such deep dejection manifested itself in his -countenance that Wegeler suddenly felt the warmest -sympathy for the young man.</p> -<p>“What is the matter? Why do you speak of -wretchedness and melancholy, Ludwig?” he cordially -said, as he threw his arm around his much -younger friend and drew him affectionately toward -him.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_34">34</div> -<p>“Ah! you know not—no one knows—what it -is that depresses and weighs me down,” answered -Ludwig. “Poverty is such a heavy burden. It -rests like a load upon the pinions of the soul. Oh, -it is awful to feel here, here in one’s inmost soul, -that one could accomplish the great and the beautiful, -and yet not be able to do it because he lacks -a few miserable gulden and kreuzers. It is hard, -Wegeler.”</p> -<p>Tears stood in young Beethoven’s eyes, and his -lips quivered in the effort to repress his emotions. -Wegeler’s eyes rested with an expression of deep -sympathy upon the dejected figure which he had -seen only a short time before exulting in the joyousness -of hope.</p> -<p>“Ludwig,” he said,—and his voice had an unusually -tender tone,—“I pray you, open your heart -to me, and do not conceal what troubles and oppresses -you. I feel for you as for a true and sincere friend. -Take me for your friend and then speak, for you -know between true heart-friends there should be -no restraint, no secrets.”</p> -<p>“Friend!” said Ludwig. “Would you actually -be my true friend?”</p> -<p>“To the last hour of my life. I swear it,” said -Wegeler, in such an honest manner that his sincerity -could not be doubted.</p> -<p>Ludwig understood him and was comforted. With -an exclamation of joy he embraced Wegeler and -kissed him. “So we are friends, always friends,” -he cried. “Oh, how I have longed for a soul that -could and would understand me, and lo, at last I -have found one. Now you shall learn, dear, good -Wegeler, what has disturbed my soul and checked its -flights. I am not happy, and the cause of my unhappiness, -alas, is my father’s conduct. I have -kept this melancholy secret deeply hidden in my -breast, but here, where no one but the dear God -and the little birds can hear, I will disclose it.”</p> -<div class="img" id="pic2"> -<img src="images/p02.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="718" /> -<p class="caption"><i>With an exclamation of joy he embraced Wegeler</i></p> -</div> -<div class="pb" id="Page_35">35</div> -<p>He told in passionate words how his father’s -temper had made him suffer from the days of his -childhood, of that father’s insatiable craving for -drink, and how, on that account, the family often -had to go without the necessaries of life.</p> -<p>“Though my father naturally is good-natured,” -he went on, “this craving makes him exceedingly -irritable and sometimes violent. His habits drive -him to extremes. At one moment he is a tender -father, at the next a cruel tyrant. The despair of it -all is that when necessity and trouble press hardest -he has no patience to bear, but seeks consolation -and forgetfulness in wine. This is my heaviest -burden, for, so long as he cannot resist drinking, -there is no hope of better conditions for our family. -My mother, my good, true, tender mother, secretly -weeps, and bears her hard lot with Christian calmness. -But I and my two younger brothers<a class="fn" id="fr_14" href="#fn_14">[14]</a> suffer -unspeakably, and many a time I have been tempted -to throw myself into the Rhine and end all my -miseries.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_36">36</div> -<p>“Calm yourself, dear boy,” said Wegeler soothingly. -“Don’t be so vehement. I am free to -acknowledge that your situation is bad and gloomy -enough, but bad as it is, some relief will be found. -Let me think it over. For the present banish your -sad thoughts, and let us enjoy the delicious atmosphere, -the blue sky, the green woods, and the -sparkling sunshine. This is not a day for melancholy. -Cheer up! Let us go farther into the wood -and visit my good friends, the monks of the Heisterbach -cloister. We shall be well received there, and -in any case find a good breakfast, which doubtless -we shall greatly relish after the morning tramp.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_37">37</div> -<p>Ludwig was ready to accept his friend’s guidance. -They sprang up from the mossy bank upon which -they had been sitting during their conversation, and -followed a small, scarcely perceptible footpath that -led through the wood. Wegeler chattered about -everything possible, told his new friend many -humorous and pleasant stories, and quickly succeeded -in cheering him up. When they reached -the Heisterbach cloister, shortly before noon, Ludwig’s -melancholy had given place to a somewhat -defiant but still good humor.</p> -<p>At the entrance to the grounds sat the Father -Doorkeeper, apparently basking in the sunshine. -He regarded the new-comers with a pleasant smile -on his broad, rosy face. “Welcome, Herr Studiosus,” -he said to Wegeler,—for he had made his -acquaintance in previous visits. “Have you been -here long? The Abbot and the others also will be -glad to see you again. Enter without any ceremony—that -way—but you already know the way to the -refectory.”</p> -<p>“God’s greeting for your friendly reception, -Father Doorkeeper,” replied Wegeler. “We come -hungry and thirsty, and kindly ask you for a cordial.”</p> -<p>“Apply to the chief cook. You may be certain -he knows no greater pleasure than feeding the hungry -and providing a strengthening cordial.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_38">38</div> -<p>Wegeler bowed and proceeded with Ludwig -through the forecourt, which, with its flower-beds, -fountains, and cleanly kept gravel walks, looked like -a garden. Arrived at the abbey, they were cordially -greeted anew and escorted to the refectory,—a -cool hall, with great Gothic window recesses, in -which, so roomy were they, tables with stone slabs -were standing. The monk cordially invited them to -be seated at one of these tables and then left to announce -in kitchen and cellar that two beloved guests -laid claim to hospitality. In reply to the Father -Chief Cook he gave the name of the student Wegeler, -and at once several ministering spirits actively -began to prepare food and drink in abundance for -the welcome strangers. Hardly ten minutes after -the arrival of Wegeler and Ludwig a hearty breakfast -was served upon the side table, which was -covered with a neat cloth, and then came the -Father Cellar-Master striding along, under each -arm a carafe of costly, sparkling golden wine, from -which he filled the glasses of his guests.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_39">39</div> -<p>Wegeler and Ludwig thoroughly enjoyed the -pleasure of this large-hearted hospitality, and paid it -due honor by partaking abundantly of the food and -emptying more than one glass of the delicious wine. -The monks asked for the latest news in Bonn, the -cream of which Wegeler was giving them, when the -Abbot himself, with his friend the Father Lector,<a class="fn" id="fr_15" href="#fn_15">[15]</a> -appeared, and greeted his guests with the same -friendliness the other inmates of the abbey had -shown. Naturally he was somewhat reserved with -Ludwig, as he did not yet know him, and only -recognized him with a nod of the head; but he -was soon engaged in a lively conversation with -Wegeler about the affairs of the new university at -Bonn, in which the venerable man showed a special -interest.</p> -<p>As Ludwig could take no part in this conversation, -and as the attention of all the other cloister -brothers was also devoted to the Abbot and Wegeler, -he found time hanging heavily. He arose, -slipped out of the refectory unnoticed, and enjoyed -himself strolling around the abbey and the grounds, -observing and admiring notable and interesting objects. -While thus wandering about at pleasure, he -came to the beautiful church of the abbey, and at -once noticed its large handsome organ, which naturally -had a greater attraction for him as a musician -than anything else. He went up into the choir, -scrutinized the organ closely, and admired its beautiful -construction.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_40">40</div> -<p>“It is too bad the organ-blower is not here,” he -said aloud, for he did not suppose there was any -one else in the church. “It would be the greatest -pleasure to me to try such a splendid organ.”</p> -<p>“Ho! ho! who is talking there?” said an entirely -unexpected voice, and out of the organ-blower’s -closet stepped a serving brother, who regarded -Ludwig with astonishment. “How is this?” he -went on. “Did I not hear something about Monsieur -wishing he could play the organ? Are you -the Monsieur who wanted an organ-blower?”</p> -<p>“Certainly, it must have been I, since no one -else but ourselves is at present in the church,” replied -Ludwig.</p> -<p>“But,” said the man in amazement, and looking -somewhat doubtfully at the short, thick-set figure -of Beethoven, “does Monsieur say that he can -play the organ?”</p> -<p>“Certainly,” replied Ludwig; “I could easily -convince you if only there were a blower at hand -who was willing to serve me.”</p> -<p>“I am the organ-blower,” said the man, shaking -his head and still somewhat doubtful. “If you are -really in earnest about playing the organ I will -right gladly offer my service.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_41">41</div> -<p>“That is fine, perfectly splendid,” cried Ludwig -exultantly. “To your post, worthy colleague. -We will both take the utmost pains and each one -of us do his best.”</p> -<p>Still dubiously and suspiciously shaking his head, -the organ-blower took his place, but left the door -ajar so that no tone of the young man’s playing -should escape him. Ludwig seated himself, struck -the keys with his strong hands, and evoked from -the splendid instrument a stream, a full volume of -tones, such as had never been heard in the church -before. Majestically they rang through the church -like the thunder of the Lord. Then suddenly there -were soft and gentle tones like the vibrations of the -harp, a heavenly melody, sung as it were by the voices -of angels, anon pealing out grandly in a majestic -hymn, like a song of praise from the heavens and -the earth, glorifying the Eternal, the only God, the -Almighty Creator of heaven and earth. Powerful -as the solemn tones had been, they died away again -to a soft and lovely piano, until at the close the last -sound exhaled itself like a breath and seemed softly -to disappear among the lofty columns of the choir.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_42">42</div> -<p>Beethoven, who had sat like one entranced during -his wonderful playing, and had looked upwards -with fixed, wide-open eyes, now came to himself, -wiped the perspiration from his heated brow, and -drew a deep sigh.</p> -<p>“Young man, who taught you to play like that?” -said a man in the dress of the order, advancing out -of the dusk of the organ-loft. “Truly, you play -magnificently. I have never heard such execution -before. Who taught you this?”</p> -<p>“I taught myself,” Beethoven replied curtly and -somewhat aggressively.</p> -<p>“Then be doubly greeted and doubly welcome, -noble disciple of the art, who sometime will make a -high and mighty eagle’s flight,” said the monk with -deep earnestness as he grasped the young man’s -hand. “Turn not away from me. I am also a -member of the great guild which has devoted its -lifework to Mistress Musica. I am the Father -Organist of the abbey, and hence I am qualified to -appreciate and admire your wonderful art.”</p> -<p>Beethoven’s darkening countenance quickly lightened -up as he recognized in the venerable monk -not an officious, inquisitive person, but a colleague, -and he warmly returned the grasp of his hand.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_43">43</div> -<p>“I thank you for your kindness, Father,” he -gently replied, “but you praise me too highly. I -am not yet worthy of it, but I hope and shall -strive to deserve it sometime. But now, what can I -do to show my gratitude for your gracious words?”</p> -<p>“Repeat what you have just played, my son,” -said the father. “Your playing has touched my -old heart powerfully. Those were not earthly tones; -they were the harmonies and melodies of heaven.”</p> -<p>“No, no; that was only a free Fantasie of my -own,” said Ludwig. “To repeat it would be somewhat -of a task, but I will gladly play something else -for you, if you will wait a moment.”</p> -<p>The father nodded assent and retired to a dark -corner, where he could abandon himself to his anticipated -enjoyment without any danger of being -disturbed. Beethoven ran his fingers over the keys -several times, as if searching for a theme, until he -found a soft old melody, which he played through in -simple, noble style, and then varied with marvellous -skill and ingenuity. As the ravishing tones powerfully -and ever more powerfully rang out, the church -gradually filled up. The monks slipped in in -groups. The Father Head Cook left his kitchen -and the Father Doorkeeper his door to listen to the -young man’s playing, reports of which had quickly -spread through the abbey. The Abbot and the -Father Lector also came, in Wegeler’s company, -went up into the organ-loft, and seated themselves -just behind Beethoven, who, lost in inspiration, was -not aware of their presence. He continued playing -variations until the theme was completely exhausted, -and then, weary and exhausted himself, bowed his -head upon his breast.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_44">44</div> -<p>A unanimous “Brava, brava,” resounded through -the church. The Abbot stepped forward, tapped -him gently on the shoulder, and said with emotion: -“Those were indeed sounds from another world, -and they have penetrated my very soul. Accept my -thanks, my young friend. You are truly a master, -and a great future lies before you if God preserve -your life and health, which I doubt not He will do.”</p> -<p>The Lector also spoke words of praise to the -young man. The Father Organist bowed low before -him. The organ-blower emerged from his -closet and with astonishment regarded the young -man who had accomplished such prodigies and unprecedented -feats in his art. “Truly,” said the -homely old man, “if he played the organ here I -would never get tired. My old arms would work -the bellows from morning to night.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_45">45</div> -<p>Beethoven in the meantime accepted these praises -somewhat coolly and indifferently, and contented -himself by expressing his thanks with an awkward -bow.</p> -<p>“He is always thus, your reverence,” said Wegeler, -as he seated himself again with the Abbot and -the Father Lector at the wine in the cool refectory—“a -sound kernel in a rough shell; a jewel of the -purest water, which needs only a little polish to -glisten at its real value. He is not to blame for it so -much as his unhappy domestic conditions. How can -he have politeness and ease of manner when there -is not even daily bread in the house? I beg you -therefore to treat him with gracious indulgence.”</p> -<p>“It is entirely unnecessary to intercede for this -young genius,” replied the Abbot. “His magnificent -playing has impressed me so deeply that I can -overlook his lack of courtesy, though really his deportment -is a little awkward. One must bear with -everything in a great genius,—and such he is, -for, after what we have heard, there cannot be the -slightest doubt of it. I should greatly like to talk -with him a little while.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_46">46</div> -<p>“I should not be surprised if he had already -slipped out of the church and were again roving -about the wood,” said Wegeler smiling. “I know -his ways. He does not crave praise like many -other musicians. It is absolutely painful to him -to be commended to his face. He prefers to escape -from it and bury himself in solitude. He is -always that way, and one must take him as one finds -him. The rich treasures of his soul make thousandfold -compensation for his external roughness.”</p> -<p>“Well, we shall have to acquiesce in his absence,” -replied the Abbot; “but promise me, dear Wegeler, -that you will soon bring this wonderful artist here -again.”</p> -<p>“With the greatest pleasure,” answered Wegeler. -“Ludwig can do his best in the company of cultivated -and sympathetic persons only, and I hope -I shall succeed in introducing him into a circle of -dear friends in Bonn where he will surely find a second -home. But now, your reverence, it is time for -me to take my departure and hunt up my young -runaway friend, so that we may get back to Bonn -in good season.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_47">47</div> -<p>Once again the glasses were filled, and they were -clinked for the last time with the wish for an early -and happy “Wiedersehen,”<a class="fn" id="fr_16" href="#fn_16">[16]</a> and Wegeler begged -to be kept in affectionate remembrance. He then -hastened in the direction of Bonn, and had been -gone hardly a quarter of an hour when he found -his friend Beethoven sitting upon a stump on the -side of the road, lost in deep thought.</p> -<p>“Well, my fine fellow,” said Wegeler to him, -“what induced you to run away from the abbey so -secretly and without saying good-bye?”</p> -<p>Beethoven turned about with an abrupt motion -of resentment and shook his thick, curly hair, which -fell about his neck like the mane of a lion. “I -could not stay any longer and indulge in empty chattering -after the Genius of Art in the church had -struggled with me and bidden me to soar. I had to -get away from it and out into the open air, into the -solitude, where, as I know by experience, I can most -easily find my way back to the common places of life.”</p> -<p>“But the Abbot regretted that he could not -speak with you again,” said Wegeler.</p> -<p>“Some other time,” replied Beethoven. “He is -a kind, friendly man, whom I appreciate and esteem; -but he must let me go my way, undisturbed, if I am -to visit him again.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_48">48</div> -<p>“And he will do that, stubborn-headed one,” replied -Wegeler, laughingly. “Only play for him a -little from time to time and he will always be a benevolent -patron and have all possible patience with -your caprices. We do not always know how, when, -or where such a man may be of service to us. A -visit with him is always a genuine recreation and a -comfort to the heart. We will soon revisit Heisterbach, -will we not, Ludwig?”</p> -<p>Beethoven nodded assent. “But it is time now -to go home. The sun is already low, and I have a -presentiment that things are not as they should be -at home. Let us hasten, Wegeler.”</p> -<p>They quickened their pace. Soon they reached -the Rhine, crossed it, and went on to Bonn, which -was already growing dim in the gathering twilight. -When their ways separated they parted from one -another, but Wegeler promised he would certainly -visit Beethoven the next evening, and hoped that he -would bring him some good and cheering news. -With a last cordial shake of the hand they separated, -and Beethoven flew rather than walked through the -streets, that he might reach his dwelling in the narrow -and gloomy Bonn Gasse as quickly as possible; -for it was already late, and the house door might be -closed with the coming of darkness.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_49">49</div> -<h2 id="c3"><i>New Friends</i></h2> -<p>Wegeler kept his word. With a -beaming countenance he appeared at -Beethoven’s house the next evening -and exultantly said: “I have succeeded. -Congratulate yourself, friend Ludwig! I -shall introduce you this evening to a family with -whom you will feel perfectly at home.”</p> -<p>“And what kind of a family might that be?” said -Beethoven, distrustfully. “You know I am not -adapted to all the world, and that all the world is -not adapted to me.”</p> -<p>“But this family is in no way of the character -which you so sweepingly apply to the world,” replied -Wegeler. “You will find it a model of the -noblest sociality and a place where art and science -are most zealously cherished. It is the family of -the widow, Frau Hofrathin von Breuning,<a class="fn" id="fr_17" href="#fn_17">[17]</a> to which -I have permission to introduce you.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_50">50</div> -<p>“Ah! the Frau Hofrathin von Breuning,” cried -Ludwig, with a perceptibly brighter countenance. -“Truly that is something different from what I -mean by ‘all the world.’ I have heard of this -family. They are lovely people.”</p> -<p>“The best in the world, Ludwig,” eagerly protested -Wegeler. “So hasten. Get yourself in -readiness. They are expecting us immediately.”</p> -<p>“I am already dressed,” replied Beethoven, -haughtily. “I have no other coat than this threadbare -one. If they won’t have me in this, they shall -not have me at all.”</p> -<p>“Unruly, stubborn, cross-grained fellow that you -are!” exclaimed Wegeler, with a laugh. “Will -you never learn to master your capricious nature? -Come along even in your threadbare coat. These -dear people into whose circle I shall take you -care only for your heart and disposition, not for -your clothes. You are, like all geniuses, a most -ridiculous fellow. But that does not signify. You -already know them, and consequently you will learn -to appreciate them. Frankly, you should not appear -wilful and capricious, but behave like a polite -youth, and occasionally perform something on the -piano in your own style. They are very fond of -music and have much of it at their home. The -Elector’s chapelmaster Ries,<a class="fn" id="fr_18" href="#fn_18">[18]</a> whom you know, and -other members of the chapel, often enjoy pleasant -intercourse in this hospitable home, and we certainly -shall meet some of them there this evening.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_51">51</div> -<p>“Now, that is a splendid suggestion,” said Beethoven, -with gleaming eyes. “Then I can appear -as I am. Yes, they shall learn to know me! I -have composed to-day a trio for pianoforte, violin, -and violoncello. We will take it with us. If a violin -and violoncello can be had I will play the piano, and -they will open their eyes, these people, when they -hear my composition.”</p> -<p>“Oho! you have plenty of confidence that you -have made something particularly good and beautiful,” -said Wegeler in gentle banter.</p> -<p>“Certainly I have,” replied Beethoven, with self-assurance. -“I tell you I have created something -entirely new, which will please every one of good -musical taste and will be widely imitated.”</p> -<p>“But consider, Ludwig; you will be judged not -by dilettanti, but by genuine connoisseurs,” said -Wegeler, earnestly.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_52">52</div> -<p>“All the better,” proudly replied Ludwig. -“I never intend to compose for ignorance and -stupidity.”</p> -<p>“Well, then, take your trio. We will make a -trial of it,” said Wegeler. “Or, what is better, give -it to me. I will say that it is a composition by one -of my acquaintances. If it does not please, we need -not mention your name; but if it pleases, as I wish -and hope it may, then, at least, you may be sure they -will not flatter or over-praise you.”</p> -<p>“That is all right,” answered Ludwig, as he -handed the manuscript to his friend, who placed it -in his pocket. “Now I am ready.”</p> -<p>“Then we will start, for they will be waiting for -us at the Breunings’,” replied Wegeler.</p> -<p>Arm in arm they went through the already silent -and dark streets until they came to a handsome -house, before the door of which hung a lighted lantern. -Wegeler was no stranger there. He conducted -Ludwig up a broad, easy flight of steps, -opened the door, and led his somewhat timid young -friend into a spacious and brilliantly lighted apartment, -in which a company of twelve persons was -assembled. An elderly lady, whose face still revealed -traces of beauty, and with an unusually noble -and gracious expression of goodness and benevolence, -advanced a few steps and received them with -a kindly smile.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_53">53</div> -<p>“Welcome, dear Wegeler,” she said in a soft, -gentle voice which came straight from the heart; “I -think I make no mistake in welcoming in your -companion my future young friend, Ludwig van -Beethoven.”</p> -<p>“You are right, gracious lady,” replied Wegeler. -“This is my friend Ludwig, and this, Ludwig, is the -Frau Hofrathin von Breuning.”</p> -<p>“Welcome, cordially welcome, dear Beethoven,” -said the Frau Hofrathin, extending her hand with -friendly and very motherly good wishes.</p> -<p>Beethoven was by nature a strong, proud character, -who did not easily bow before any one, and -least of all was inclined to waste much civility in -social intercourse. The amiability of Frau von -Breuning, however, made such a deep impression -upon him that he took the hand offered him, bowed -low, and kissed it.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_54">54</div> -<p>In the meantime the others present came forward. -The sons of Frau von Breuning—Stephen, Christopher, -and Lenz—shook the young man’s hand cordially, -and then the sister, Eleonora, welcomed him -with a cordial inclination of the head and bright, -friendly eyes. Some of the guests already knew -Ludwig, particularly the chapelmaster Ries, and -some members of the Elector’s chapel. He exchanged -a few friendly words with them and was -then presented to a handsome, distinguished looking -man, the Count von Waldstein,<a class="fn" id="fr_19" href="#fn_19">[19]</a> who, notwithstanding -his high rank and standing, greeted him with -genuine cordiality. In a short time Beethoven felt -as much at home in this circle as if he had been in -it for years, and Wegeler therefore quietly indulged -the hope that his young protégé would bring no -discredit upon his urgent recommendations of him. -He was in no way disappointed in this hope. Beethoven -appeared more cheerful, companionable, -frank, and affable than ever before, and when the -talk turned upon music he seated himself at the -piano without being urged, much to Wegeler’s astonishment -and delight, and played a long time -with such a splendid technique and depth of feeling -that all conversation at once stopped and every one -paid the closest attention to his beautiful melodies.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_55">55</div> -<p>“Brava, brava!” cried every one when the young -artist finished his performance. Count Waldstein -stepped up to him and tapped him lightly -on the shoulder. “You have indeed done splendidly,” -he cordially said. “I fancy that I also -understand music a little, and therefore speak so -positively.”</p> -<p>Chapelmaster Ries complimented Ludwig so enthusiastically -that he felt extremely comfortable as -well as happy. Wegeler thought it an opportune -time to try the new trio, and took it from his pocket. -“As we are engaged with music,” he said, “and as -we have professional artists right at hand, I would -beg you to play an entirely new composition, which -by a happy chance has come into my possession.”</p> -<p>“What is it?” said chapelmaster Ries, “and who -is the composer?”</p> -<p>“The composer wishes temporarily to remain -unknown,” replied Wegeler, “but the work is a trio -for piano, violin, and violoncello.”</p> -<p>“That can be arranged without any difficulty,” -said Ries. “Our Beethoven will play the pianoforte, -friend Muller the violoncello, and I will undertake -the violin. The instruments are here, so let -us get to work at once.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_56">56</div> -<p>In a few minutes the necessary arrangements were -made and the trio began. The three accomplished -artists easily played it at sight, and the audience paid -close attention to the entirely original harmonies and -melodies. The trio was played to its close smoothly -and with precision, but instead of loud applause after -the last tones there was a very painful silence. The -good Wegeler turned pale with anxiety, but Beethoven -sat as proud as Jupiter at the piano and -seemed to have forgotten where or in whose company -he was.</p> -<p>Chapelmaster Ries was the first to break the uncomfortable -silence and, turning quickly to Wegeler, -said: “This is truly a charming composition, full -of originality, and developed with true genius. -Who is the composer? I am really eager to know, -for I never before have heard such music.”</p> -<p>“In fact, very strong but characteristic,” Count -Waldstein added.</p> -<p>“I have never heard anything more beautiful,” said -Christopher Breuning, enthusiastically and excitedly. -“It must be an entirely distinctive art-work by -Mozart, or perhaps something of Haydn’s.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_57">57</div> -<p>Wegeler, who had regained his natural color, -smiled and shook his head. “Neither Mozart nor -Haydn,” said he. “The composer is a new man, -and is in our midst.”</p> -<p>“Ah! Count Waldstein,” said Frau von Breuning -with a light, graceful bow. “Do not deny it, -Count. You have prepared a most pleasant surprise -for us.”</p> -<p>“On the contrary, dear lady, I should consider -myself most fortunate if I could accept your compliment,” -replied Count Waldstein, “but I must -reluctantly decline it. Probably we have to thank -our chapelmaster for the great surprise.”</p> -<p>“No, no,” said the chapelmaster, “I will not -adorn myself with borrowed feathers however beautiful -they may be. But really, if I could accomplish -such a work as this trio, I should regard myself as -a pretty good artist.”</p> -<p>“But who can the composer be if he is neither -our dear Count nor the chapelmaster?” said Frau -von Breuning. “Surely you are just teasing us a -little, dear Wegeler. Anyway, the composer of the -trio is known by name.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_58">58</div> -<p>“Yes, he has a name,” said Wegeler, smiling, -“but his name is not yet famous, though I have -no doubt it will become so one day. The composer’s -name is—<span class="sc">Ludwig van Beethoven</span>, and -he has the honor to sit before your ladyship, at the -piano.”</p> -<p>If a bomb had fallen into the company it could -not have caused greater astonishment than Wegeler’s -simple announcement. All present evidently were -surprised in the highest degree. Beethoven alone -sat entirely unmoved and at ease, and looked about -him smilingly and unembarrassed.</p> -<p>“What is there to be astonished at?” he said. -“I composed the entire trio to-day.”</p> -<p>It is hard to describe the effect these few words -produced. All crowded around Beethoven, and -each had his word of admiration for him. He was -quietly pleased when they shook his hand and -overwhelmed him with compliments; but at last he -became uneasy, and sprang up from his seat.</p> -<p>“This is too much,” he said. “I do not deserve -it. Later, years hence, perhaps,—but now? no! -There are still those who can construct better things -than I.”</p> -<p>“But there are very few of them,” said Count -Waldstein, earnestly. “Anyway, I feel impelled to -exercise all my influence for the advancement of a -talent such as yours, dear Beethoven. I beg you to -consider me as your fatherly friend and patron.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_59">59</div> -<p>Beethoven bowed, and stammered a few words -of thanks. A moment later he had forgotten the -assurances of the Count and was chatting in the -most intimate manner with the sons of Frau von -Breuning, who welcomed this talented new acquaintance -with genuine enthusiasm. The mother also -graciously conversed with the young man, and at -last asked him if he would at some future time -give piano lessons to her daughter Eleonora, which -Beethoven naturally was glad to promise.</p> -<p>As it was getting rather late, the company left -one after another. Beethoven withdrew with -Wegeler, and warmly thanked his friend on the -street for introducing him into this pleasant family -circle.</p> -<p>“I did it with all my heart,” said Wegeler, “and -with the hope that it will be for the pleasure and -advantage of both parties.”</p> -<p>All of Wegeler’s hopes were realized. Beethoven -soon found himself at home among his new friends. -This was not strange, for the Hofrathin entertained -a true motherly affection for him, and her children -regarded him as a brother. Beethoven himself, at -a later period, often declared that his happiest years -were spent in the Breuning home.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_60">60</div> -<p>Thus weeks and months passed. Beethoven’s -outward circumstances gradually improved, for the -Hofrathin Breuning was assiduous in procuring -pupils for him among her acquaintances, which -paid well at that time. Ludwig could now furnish -a part of the support for his brave mother, so -that matters gradually became more pleasant in the -household life. Everything contributed to keep -him in good humor, so that he commended himself -more and more to the affection and good-will of his -new friends.</p> -<p>Ludwig had heard nothing for a long time from -Count Waldstein about the patronage he had promised. -In reality he had hardly given it a thought. -But the Hofrathin Breuning many a time quietly -wondered that the Count should have forgotten his -protégé so quickly and completely, “especially -when there is so much he might do for his advantage,” -she said to herself. “He is a favorite with the -Elector, and hardly needs do more than drop a word -occasionally to interest him in our Beethoven. If -he would do so but once, everything else would take -care of itself, and I should no longer have any anxiety -about the young man’s future.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_61">61</div> -<p>But none of the Hofrathin’s wishes or hopes -seemed likely to be realized. Count Waldstein -appeared now and then in the Hofrathin’s social -circle, but seldom remained there long, and seemed -to concern himself little about Beethoven, though -at times he gave him a friendly word. One evening, -however, he asked for the trio which Beethoven -composed, and requested permission to keep it a -few days. The permission naturally was granted -promptly and willingly, although Beethoven did -not appear to attach the slightest importance to -the Count’s request. Frau von Breuning, however, -smiled to herself in silent satisfaction. She anticipated -and conjectured more than Ludwig, and this -simple, unimportant act aroused the hope that something -would come of it, and that his interests would -be promoted.</p> -<p>Nothing in the least occurred in the next few -days to confirm these hopes, and Frau von Breuning, -though she still clung to her hope, had to -admit to herself there was little foundation for it, -when one evening Count Waldstein appeared entirely -unexpectedly in the circle of friends who were -entertaining themselves with music. Besides the -Breuning family, Beethoven, Wegeler, and chapelmaster -Ries were present. All extended a respectful -and friendly greeting to the Count. He smiled -contentedly, roguishly looked at Beethoven, and -pressed his right hand upon his left breast-pocket, -in which something light rustled.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_62">62</div> -<p>“Young man,” he said good-humoredly, “what -do you imagine I am carrying here in my coat-pocket? -Guess!”</p> -<p>“How can I guess, Count?” replied Ludwig. -“It must be something of considerable importance, -since Your Grace is so mysterious about it.”</p> -<p>“Why, yes, important enough for certain people, -though to me simply pleasant and agreeable. But -I already perceive you are not gifted with the faculty -of guessing, dear Ludwig, so I must help you a -little. This mysterious thing in my pocket is a -document from the electoral court. I got sight of -the address there, and incidentally, as I intended to -visit my worthy friend here, I took the document -with the intention of handing it to the person addressed. -He is a certain Ludwig van Beethoven, -and I was sure I should find him here.”</p> -<p>“A document from the electoral court to me! -Impossible!” exclaimed Beethoven, at first astonished -and then delighted, while the kindly face of -Frau von Breuning was lit up with joy.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_63">63</div> -<p>“Yes, yes, to you, my young friend,” said the -Count, as he removed the document from his pocket. -“Here, take it. Open it, and see what the Elector -has done for you.”</p> -<p>Beethoven slowly took the large envelope, looked -at the address and seal, and shook his head. “The -Count doubtless is only making sport of me,” he -said. “If I break the seal I shall only be heartily -laughed at.”</p> -<p>“Oh, you most distrustful of all distrustful men -and musicians!” the Count replied. “How can -you entertain such a foolish supposition? Open it! -Open it! Quick!”</p> -<p>“I will not,” replied Beethoven, firmly, as he -placed the envelope on the table.</p> -<p>“You foolish fellow, you can do as you please, -of course,” said the Count, a little impatiently. -“This much I know, however, that our most gracious -lord, the Elector, has not done this for a -fool, but for his court organist, and this highest of -all honors he has bestowed upon you in this document.”<a class="fn" id="fr_20" href="#fn_20">[20]</a></p> -<p>“Impossible!” exclaimed Beethoven.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_64">64</div> -<p>“I thought so,” joyfully said the Hofrathin.</p> -<p>“Fine! splendid!” cried all the others.</p> -<p>Beethoven was so overcome with astonishment -that he seemed as rigid as a statue, but at a sign -from the Count, chapelmaster Ries opened the envelope, -showed the signature of the Elector, and the -appointment of Ludwig van Beethoven as court -organist, carefully drawn up in due form.</p> -<p>“Hearty congratulations, Ludwig,” said he, handing -the document to him. “I call this good fortune, -even if it does come to the one most deserving of it.”</p> -<p>All present surrounded Beethoven and congratulated -him. He received their good wishes with a -radiant smile and beaming eyes. Then he suddenly -rushed to Count Waldstein, pressed his lips to his -hand, and exclaimed to him from the fulness of his -heart, “Thanks! thanks! my benefactor!” Thereupon -he seized his hat, crying joyously, “To my -mother, to my good mother! Good-night to all!”—and -was out of the house as quick as a flash.</p> -<p>No one wondered at his somewhat strange behavior. -All knew him and his ways and manners, and -all were his friends, which signified for him all that -was sincerely true and good.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_65">65</div> -<h2 id="c4"><i>A Merciful Punishment</i></h2> -<p>Good fortune often arouses jealousies and -enmities, for while there are many good -men in the world, there are also many -base and evil-minded ones. Beethoven -was destined to make this discovery at once. His -appointment as court organist was received by most -of the members of the electoral chapel with expressions -of great discontent, and some of them -did not conceal their resentment that such a green -young student should have been selected as their -colleague. Of course it never occurred to these -narrow-minded persons that there was more creative -skill in this “green student” than in the whitening -heads of all these old musical pedants.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_66">66</div> -<p>Beethoven was one who troubled himself very -little about such displays of petty hatred and jealousy. -As he was exempt from the pressing anxieties -of everyday life by his position and teaching, -and had found in Count Waldstein a truly good and -fatherly patron, he carried his head high, and looked -down with proud self-assurance upon his enemies. -Not that he had grown supercilious,—nothing was -farther from him than that,—but he could clearly -discriminate between himself and these malicious -ones. He knew that he surpassed them as far as -the heavens are above the earth.</p> -<p>It happened one day that Count Waldstein called -upon his young protégé and found him deeply absorbed -in a book.</p> -<p>“How is this, Ludwig?” said the Count. “I expected -to find you busy at the piano, or with the -violin, and now I catch you reading an insipid -novel! Shame on you, my young friend! In -your difficult art there is but one road to success—‘forward, -always forward.’ You should not waste -time on trifles if you expect to accomplish great -and important things.”</p> -<p>At the first words of his patron Beethoven had -arisen, and greeted him in the most cordial manner. -His manner did not change, however, when the -Count reproached him; on the contrary, he handed -him the book he was reading, and smilingly said: -“Excuse me, this is not a trifle, Count; it is ‘Plutarch’s -Lives,’ but unfortunately only a good translation, -for I cannot read it in the original.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_67">67</div> -<p>The Count’s frown began to disappear. “Of -course I cannot disapprove of good reading. But -I see you have more books. Are they all Plutarch?”</p> -<p>“No, worthy sir,” replied Beethoven, excitedly, as -he took his books and quickly opened them one -after another. “This is Homer’s Odyssey, these -are Plato’s writings, this the Odes of Horace, and -these a few volumes of Shakespeare—all classical -literature.”<a class="fn" id="fr_21" href="#fn_21">[21]</a></p> -<p>“Yes, yes, I see; but of what use are they to -you?” said the Count, wonderingly. “Do you learn -anything about music in them?”</p> -<p>“Certainly not, Herr Count,” replied Beethoven, -“but I am acquiring the general information which -all composers and musicians should have. You -perhaps are not aware that in consequence of my -parents’ poverty I could not attend a good school. -The natural result was that I learned very little, -and now, if I am not to be an ignoramus, I must -make up by my own exertions what I lost in childhood.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_68">68</div> -<p>“Ah, that is really quite another thing,” said the -Count, approvingly, “and instead of censuring you, -I ought to have praised you for your zeal and industry. -In reality I have called to-day neither to -blame nor to praise you, but for an entirely different -purpose.”</p> -<p>“Tell me what it is, Herr Count. I am entirely -at your pleasure,” said Beethoven, eagerly. “You -will make me very happy by assigning me to any -position where I can be of the slightest service to -you.”</p> -<p>“Good, good, dear Ludwig! I knew as much -when I applied to you,” said the Count. “And -now to the point. A Ritter ballet is to be given -at the forthcoming carnival for the pleasure of His -Highness, the Elector. Those who are to participate -in it are already engaged, and the sketch and -text are prepared and contained in this roll. The -music alone is lacking. Will you do me the favor -to compose it?”</p> -<p>“I shall be a thousand times delighted,” said -Beethoven. He took the roll as if it had been a -precious treasure. “I will take the utmost pains to -meet your expectations, so that I may not only show -my gratitude to you, my most esteemed patron, but -also to my most gracious lord and Prince. At what -time must the music be ready, Herr Count?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_69">69</div> -<p>“You can have at least four weeks,” replied the -Count. “Therefore do not be in too much haste. -When you are ready let me know. Adieu, and good -luck, my young friend.”</p> -<p>Beethoven applied himself with enthusiastic zeal -to the composition of the different parts which were -necessary for the performance of the ballet, and was -able to give the work to Count Waldstein before -the expiration of the allotted four weeks. The -Count, himself a clever musician, or at least a well-schooled -amateur, glanced over the score with experienced -eyes, nodded several times in a satisfied -way, and smiled to himself.</p> -<p>“Thanks, my friend,” he said at last. “I hope -the music will please. You are to conduct. I -have this further suggestion to make. I know the -prejudices of many of your colleagues against you. -If they know that you composed the ballet music, -then the envious ones will seize the opportunity -to play badly, and thereby intentionally spoil the -pretty music. Keep it secret until after the first -performance that you are the composer. I will -privately have the report circulated that I was the -artist who wrote the music. When it comes to the -knowledge of the gentlemen of the chapel for whom -they are taking so much pains, they certainly will -do their utmost to please. So, secrecy and silence. -I will make the necessary explanation to the Elector, -and after the first, and as I hope successful, performance -of the ballet, I will let all the world know -who the real composer is. Are you satisfied with -this arrangement?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_70">70</div> -<p>“I am extremely grateful to you for it, Herr -Count,” replied Beethoven. “You have rightly -remarked that many of my associates are maliciously -disposed toward me, and caution therefore will do -no harm. On my part, I accept all your arrangements -with pleasure.”</p> -<p>“Then I am convinced we may hope for the best -results,” replied the Count.</p> -<p>Everything turned out as Count Waldstein had -expected. The report that he had composed the -music of a Ritter ballet in honor of the Elector was -circulated all over the city, and particularly among -the artists and musicians. Hence when the first rehearsal -of the ballet took place the chapel orchestra -played excellently and correctly. After the rehearsal -the members were of the unanimous opinion that -the music was thoroughly graceful, charming, and -masterly. All were loud in their praises, and many -a one cast a malicious side glance at Beethoven, as -much as to say, “Now you see what certain people -can learn from a mere amateur.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_71">71</div> -<p>Rehearsals were repeated several times, and then -followed the performance of the ballet in the presence -of the Elector and all his court. Everything -passed off well, and the music in particular received -enthusiastic applause. Count Waldstein smilingly -accepted the compliments which were tendered him -on all sides, but no one concerned himself about -Beethoven. He was not in the least troubled on -that score, but smiled to himself at the fawning of -his associates, who bowed low to the Count and extolled -to heaven the music of the ballet. “They -will be astonished sometime, when they hear that the -music is mine,” he said to himself, rubbing his hands.</p> -<p>When it was announced a few days afterwards -that Beethoven was the composer of the much-praised -ballet, his associates were not only astonished, -but many of them openly acknowledged they had -been deceived in taking him for a fool. Of course -this was said only behind his back, but he heard of -it, and discovered that one of the electoral singers, -named Heller, had been particularly busy in attacking -him.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_72">72</div> -<p>Some days later Beethoven went, either accidentally -or purposely, to a popular wine-shop where -there were a number of his chapel associates, among -them the aforesaid singer, Heller. After a hasty -greeting Beethoven seated himself at a side table -and overheard them making sport of him. Heller, -in particular, gave the young composer many palpable -side-thrusts, and boasted that there were -plenty of musicians who could compose better -things than a certain conceited young person ever -dreamed of.</p> -<p>Beethoven listened calmly for a little while without -taking personal notice of the abuse or the -boasting. Suddenly, however, he arose, went to -the table where his colleagues were sitting, and -looked the singer Heller sharply in the eye. “Tell -me,” he said quietly but firmly, “do you not perform -‘The Lamentations of the Prophet Jeremiah’ -in church in the morning?”</p> -<p>“Certainly,” replied Heller. “Why do you -ask?”</p> -<p>“Because, perhaps I can make a wager with -you,” said Beethoven. “I will play the accompaniment -on the piano, and will bet that I will -break your time, or, as they say, ‘put you out.’”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_73">73</div> -<p>“I take the bet. What shall it be?” cried -Heller with malicious glee; for he believed himself -so sure of winning that he already regarded his -opponent as a loser.</p> -<p>“A keg of wine, which we can empty together after -church here in the wine-shop,” replied Beethoven.</p> -<p>“It is agreed. I take the bet,” said Heller.</p> -<p>“It’s agreed,” said all the other musicians, with -a malicious look at Beethoven; for not one of them -believed that he could “put out” the most correct -singer of them all. But Beethoven finished his -glass of wine, smiling to himself.</p> -<p>“The Lamentations of the Prophet Jeremiah” -are little sentences of four or six lines each, and in -performance are chanted like the old chorals in a -definite rhythm. The tune consists of four successive -tones, several words and sometimes whole sentences -being sung upon the third, and coming to a -rest which the accompanist fills in with a free harmonic -passage. Thereupon the singer returns to -the ground tone,—not a difficult accomplishment -for a clever musician, if the accompanist does not -“put him out.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_74">74</div> -<p>On the following morning, confident of winning, -Heller began his song. Beethoven accompanied -him at first in the old and customary manner. All -at once, however, he modulated so freely and independently, -while he firmly held the first tone in the -treble, that Heller could not find his way back to it, -and, in fact, was completely “put out” by the -“conceited young person.”</p> -<p>“He played incorrectly,” said Heller, angrily.</p> -<p>“On the contrary, he played correctly and in a -masterly way,” retorted Ries, “but all the same in -a way that is too much for you. Everything was -done fairly and honestly, as all here will concede. -So keep quiet. You have lost your bet.”</p> -<p>“Be it so, then. I will pay for the miserable -keg of wine,” roared Heller, “but I will also make -complaint to our most gracious Elector about an -accompaniment out of which the devil himself could -not find his way.”</p> -<p>“Complain all you will; you will make nothing -by it,” said Lucchesi.<a class="fn" id="fr_22" href="#fn_22">[22]</a> “As chapelmaster Ries has -already declared, we not only must, but will, testify -that everything was done fairly.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_75">75</div> -<p>“That does not signify,” replied Heller, still in -bad humor. “I will yet disgrace him. Such an -accompaniment as his is not proper in church at -least.” Seizing his hat, he ran out, and disappeared -before any one could stop him.</p> -<p>Beethoven, entirely unconcerned, let him go. -Neither he nor the others believed that Heller was -in earnest with his threats or that he would really -complain to the Elector against his enemy. But -when the entire party after the service returned to -the wine-shop, where they expected to find Heller, -there was no trace of him.</p> -<p>“Well, that is of no consequence,” said Beethoven, -good-humoredly. “We will drink the keg -of wine regardless of him. I will pay for it out of -my own pocket.”</p> -<p>Mine host was ordered to furnish some excellent -wine, the glasses clinked, and they gave themselves -up to unrestrained conviviality. Beethoven, delighted -over the defeat of his obstinate and bitter -enemy, overflowed with hilarity, when suddenly -a lackey in the electoral livery appeared in their -midst and loudly asked whether the court organist, -Ludwig van Beethoven, was present.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_76">76</div> -<p>Deep silence followed the question, and consternation -was manifest on every countenance. Had -Heller in his wrath really carried out his threat -after all? Beethoven, who was the one most closely -concerned, understood at once and sprang up. -“Here I am,” he said. “What does His Highness, -the Elector, wish of me?”</p> -<p>“That you come at once, just as you are, to the -castle,” was the reply. “The Elector wishes to -speak with you.”</p> -<p>“I will obey at once,” replied Beethoven, as he -took his hat. “Do not be disturbed, friends. Perhaps -I shall return soon.”</p> -<p>Although he had succeeded tolerably well in concealing -his apprehensions while with his companions, -he was not altogether easy in his mind on his way -to the castle. To be sure, he knew from Count -Waldstein’s description of the Elector that he was -a very kind and merciful man, but notwithstanding -this he neither knew nor could imagine how he -might criticise that pleasant little artistic performance -in the church. Therefore he prepared himself -to receive an appropriately long and sound rebuke. -He determined to accept it, humbly and patiently, -and at last with tolerable composure entered the -apartment of the Elector.</p> -<p>That high personage was sitting with his back to -Beethoven, writing at his desk. He did not turn -around when Beethoven entered, and apparently did -not hear the servant’s announcement. Five minutes, -which seemed an eternity to Beethoven, passed in -utter silence. At last the Elector suddenly threw -down his pen and quickly turned round. “Ah! -there you are, dear Beethoven,” he said in a by no -means unfriendly manner. “Come a little nearer.”</p> -<div class="img" id="pic3"> -<img src="images/p03.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="720" /> -<p class="caption"><i>Beethoven approached within a couple of steps of the Elector, the latter scrutinizing him with a sharp glance</i></p> -</div> -<div class="pb" id="Page_77">77</div> -<p>Beethoven approached within a couple of steps -of the Elector and bowed low, the latter scrutinizing -him with a sharp glance, which the delinquent stood -bravely.</p> -<p>“My dear Beethoven,” began the Elector, “I -have sent for you that I may thank you for the -beautiful music which you composed for our Count -Waldstein’s Ritter ballet. Accept for your services -your appointment as my chamber musician, and -this slight compensation of one hundred ducats.” -With these words he took a little roll of gold pieces -and a signed document from his desk and gave -them to Beethoven, whose beaming countenance -could not conceal his joyous surprise.</p> -<p>“Gracious master, this is too much, really too -much,” he exclaimed.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_78">78</div> -<p>“Take them, take them,” insisted the Elector. -“I am well satisfied with you. Count Waldstein -has told me many nice things about you, and I -myself have noticed in the court concerts that God -has bestowed upon you a beautiful and important -talent. It is my duty to promote this,—and -besides, do you suppose that I will allow you to -give me your compositions? So take this.”</p> -<p>With trembling hands Beethoven took the roll -and the document, and, in his extreme confusion, -stammered out a few disconnected words of gratitude. -The Elector interrupted him.</p> -<p>“Very good,” said he. “But”—and here his -face assumed a stern expression—“now that we -have finished up this piece of business, a word about -a more serious matter. Heller has been to me, and -complained of you. Before I make my decision I -would like to hear from you what you have really -been doing to Heller.”</p> -<p>The flush of joy in Beethoven’s face disappeared, -and gave place to the pallor of fear. He courageously -composed himself, however, and frankly told, -without reserve and with exact truth, the circumstances -of the hostile encounter with Heller.</p> -<p>“I understand, and find that you are not as guilty -as I feared,” said the Elector, resuming a kindly tone. -“But, notwithstanding this, are you not aware that -you have made a bad mistake?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_79">79</div> -<p>“Yes, I realize it now, gracious master,” replied -Beethoven. “The church should not have been -the scene of our quarrel. In my passion I did not -think of that. I deserve punishment, and will submit -to it humbly and repentantly.”</p> -<p>“Well,” replied the Elector, smiling, “he who -recognizes and regrets his faults has already half -atoned for them. I will not be too severe in my -sentence, but I ought not to let your fault go unpunished. -The venerable Abbot of Heisterbach -told me some time ago you had an unsurpassed -talent for organ playing. This gives me the opportunity -to announce your punishment. You are to -be banished from my court for a year, with the -special order that you spend that year in Vienna, -where all distinguished organists ought to go that -they may profit by the knowledge they can gain -there. So you are banished for a year to Vienna. -This is your punishment.”</p> -<p>Beethoven could hardly believe he heard aright. -“But, Your Highness,” he exclaimed, his eyes glistening -brightly, “this is not a punishment; it is a -reward—the fulfilment of my dearest wishes.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_80">80</div> -<p>The Elector could not repress a slight smile at -the open-hearted simplicity of the young man, but -he quickly assumed a more serious manner and said -earnestly: “Any other one would have considered -banishment from my court a very severe punishment, -and I regard it so also, and expected that -you would. It is not complimentary to me that you -should regard removal from my vicinity as a reward.”</p> -<p>“Great heavens! I did not mean it that way,” -said Beethoven, seriously alarmed. “I intended to -say I had always wished to go to Vienna sometime, -because one can learn the most in music there. -Pardon me, my gracious master. My whole heart -is filled with gratitude to you.”</p> -<p>“Well, well, quiet yourself,” replied the Elector, -and the kindly smile returned to his face. “I -think you understand that you are still in favor, but -your punishment must make expiation, and it must -also be considered as punishment. Keep this in -mind. In future I recommend a simple accompaniment -for the church music. As to the other matter, -if you should need any money for the journey, or -anything else, apply to Count Waldstein. He -knows my intentions in relation to you. Adieu, -dear Beethoven, and employ your time usefully in -Vienna, so that it may compensate for your absence -from my court. Adieu.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_81">81</div> -<p>A gracious inclination of the head by the Elector, -a low bow by Beethoven, and the audience was at an -end. Intoxicated with delight Beethoven staggered -rather than walked down the steps, and in a corridor -of the castle happened upon Count Waldstein, whom -he would have rushed by without recognizing if the -Count himself had not stopped him.</p> -<p>“Here, here, my dear fellow, are you again all -fire and flame?” he said to him. “Has anything -special happened to you?”</p> -<p>“Oh, you know everything already, Herr Count, -for it is you I have to thank for your kind intercession,” -replied Beethoven, cordially. “Chamber -musician! A hundred ducats! A journey to -Vienna! My head swims.”</p> -<p>“Oh, yes, I suppose because of your sorrow over -the unkindness of the Elector, who has punished you -for your petulancy,” said the Count, with his peculiar -smile. “As a punishment you have been consigned -to banishment from your colleagues. Keep this in -mind. The Elector so wills it.”</p> -<p>“Yes, but for my advantage, Herr Count,” said -Beethoven, joyfully. “But, God knows, it is a -merciful punishment, for which one should be a -thousand times thankful.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_82">82</div> -<p>And away he flew to the beloved mother to make -his sorrowful complaint of the severity of the hard, -cruel, merciful Elector.</p> -<p>Tears flowed. It was but natural. But the tears -were certainly not altogether those of sorrow.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_83">83</div> -<h2 id="c5"><i>In Vienna</i></h2> -<p>The most distinguished and refined society -of that period was accustomed to -assemble at the house of Prince Lichnowski,<a class="fn" id="fr_23" href="#fn_23">[23]</a> -and the best music was often -performed there by the most eminent artists. Both -the Prince and his amiable wife had received a thorough -musical education, and loved and promoted -music of the highest kind.</p> -<p>Beethoven brought a most cordial letter of introduction -from Count Waldstein to the Prince, and -consequently received an immediate invitation to a -musical evening at the Lichnowski palace, which he -of course accepted.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_84">84</div> -<p>Upon entering the splendid apartments of the -Prince, he found a brilliant company assembled. -The contrast with his simple, ordinary dress made -him feel a little uneasy, and he would have quietly -slipped away had not Prince Lichnowski fortunately -prevented his attempt to escape, just in time. Beethoven’s -name had hardly been announced to him by -a servant before he hastened to receive him, greeted -him in the most cordial manner, bade him welcome, -and shook hands with him warmly.</p> -<p>“I am exceedingly delighted to see you at my -house,” said he. “My friend, Count Waldstein, -has written many nice and kindly things about you, -and His Electoral Highness, the Archbishop, has -added with his own hand the strongest and most -hearty words of recommendation. I hope you will -feel perfectly at home with us very soon. I beg -you to come with me, that I may present you to the -Princess, who will be no less pleased than myself to -make your acquaintance.”</p> -<p>After such a cordial reception Beethoven quickly -regained his composure, and walked through the -hall at the Prince’s side with uplifted head and -without permitting the glitter and finery of the -other guests to disturb him. Many eyes followed -with astonishment the strange figure which, notwithstanding -its entire lack of physical attractiveness, -suggested the bearing of the lion, and -notwithstanding its youthfulness concealed something -great and distinguished under its insignificant -exterior.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_85">85</div> -<p>The Princess Lichnowski received the young -man with an expression of gracious satisfaction, which -was very agreeable to Beethoven. “It is nice that -you are here,” said she. “I hope we shall be good -friends, and then we shall have some good music -together. Dear Mozart”<a class="fn" id="fr_24" href="#fn_24">[24]</a>—she turned quickly to -a simply but nicely dressed gentleman who stood -near by—“please come here a moment.”</p> -<p>Mozart smilingly obeyed the summons and bowed -low before the Princess, who held out her hand -familiarly to him, and said: “No such ceremony -between us, sir. Here, look at this young man. -This is Herr Ludwig van Beethoven of Bonn, the -electoral chamber musician and court organist—and -this, my dear Beethoven, is our world-renowned -master, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the brightest -sun in our musical firmament.”</p> -<p>Mozart greeted the young man, of whom he -perhaps had not yet heard, in a friendly but at -the same time somewhat cool manner. Beethoven, -on the other hand, who enthusiastically admired -Mozart’s compositions, could not conceal his delight -that an opportunity was offered him to make the -acquaintance of the great master, and expressed his -feelings in the most emphatic manner.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_86">86</div> -<p>“Let us be a little more quiet, young man,” interposed -Mozart, smiling at Beethoven’s excessive -adoration. “I can readily believe you like some of -my compositions, and that pleases me. But we -will not make too much noise about them. I see -that you know me, but I do not yet know your -ability as a musician. Therefore may I ask that -sometime you will give us something of your best -on the piano? I shall be delighted if I can return -your compliments.”</p> -<p>Beethoven needed no second request. He felt -inspired by the presence of the high priest in the -temple of art, whose wonderful melodies had so -charmed him, and he replied eagerly and quickly: -“Where is the piano? If you will listen to me, -Herr Mozart, I will play at once.”</p> -<p>“All the better,” said Mozart. “There is a -piano in the next room. Let us go there.”</p> -<p>“Brava!” said the Princess, as she clapped her -hands. “We shall hear something beautiful now. -Let us go at once.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_87">87</div> -<p>Beethoven, his heart swelling with pride and eager -to show himself to the master of music in the most -advantageous light, threw himself into his work with -impetuous vigor, and played continuously for a full -quarter of an hour whatever the occasion and his -own genius suggested. Those present listened intently, -and when Beethoven brought his performance -to a close with some splendid chords, a storm of applause -followed. Prince and Princess Lichnowski -openly expressed their astonishment at Beethoven’s -artistic skill, and all the others praised him. -Mozart alone remained calm and unexcited, and -contented himself with saying a few coolly polite -words of praise.</p> -<p>Beethoven blushed and turned pale alternately. -He had expected a warmer recognition on the part -of the renowned master, and such cool civility chilled -the enthusiasm and inspiration in his breast like an -icy breath. With a bitter smile he bowed his proud -head and covered his heated brow with his hand. -A moment before, he thought he had accomplished -something excellent. Had his feelings deceived -him? Had he completely overestimated his talent? -That was a terrible thought.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_88">88</div> -<p>Silence reigned in the room. The guests also -were disturbed by Mozart’s reserved manner,—the -same Mozart who was always so willing to praise -and quick to appreciate, when there was occasion -for praise and appreciation, and who now showed -not a trace of his customary enthusiasm after such a -specially masterly performance.</p> -<p>“You judge the young man too severely, dear -Mozart,” whispered Prince Lichnowski to him. -“His playing has really electrified me.”</p> -<p>“Oh, that performance is of no great consequence,” -replied Mozart, with a shrug of the shoulder. -“It is only a prepared show-piece which the -young man has given us; I do not allow myself to -be excited by such things.”</p> -<p>This was said in a low voice, but Beethoven heard -it. The cloud disappeared from his brow. He -raised his head, shook his mane, and with flashing -eyes said to Mozart:</p> -<p>“No, sir, that is not a show-piece learned by heart -that I played, but a free fantasie. In proof of this -I ask you to give me a theme for another free fantasie, -and then I will show you what I can do.”</p> -<p>“Oho! Oho! don’t get too excited, young man,” -replied Mozart. “You can have a theme—develop -this one.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_89">89</div> -<p>Mozart leaned over Beethoven’s shoulder, played -the theme, and then stepped back a little. Beethoven -instantly grasped the theme. He always played -best when aroused, and at this instant he was still -excited by the presence of the honored master. He -developed the theme with such skill and brilliancy -of technique that he carried his audience away with -wonder at his inspired performance.</p> -<p>All indifference and coolness disappeared from -Mozart’s manner. With the young musician’s first -passages and accords, deep interest was apparent on -his countenance, and when Beethoven finished his -fantasie and arose from the piano, Mozart went up -to him, embraced him, and said in a tone of voice -all could hear, “This young man, some day or -other, will make a noise in the world.”</p> -<p>Now it was all joy and exultation. Beethoven -was visibly affected, and trembled, while flashes of -triumph shot from his piercing eyes. The princely -couple and the guests overwhelmed him with congratulations.</p> -<p>After that evening Beethoven was regarded in -Vienna as destined to musical greatness, and he -found friends and well-wishers everywhere. Prince -Lichnowski was completely devoted to him. He -gave him a room in his palace, and a standing invitation -to his table as a guest.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_90">90</div> -<p>Beethoven thoroughly appreciated these friendly -attentions, but he was not on that account any the -less obstinate and self-willed. Proud of his genius, -which the great Mozart had so clearly recognized, -he did not display a fawning, servile manner. He -seemed rather like one who was on guard against -favors, than as one who was receiving them.</p> -<p>Prince Lichnowski, an extremely amiable man, -and one who was well acquainted with the world, let -Beethoven go his own way. He clearly recognized -the great genius of his young friend, and did not -trouble himself about the oddities, and at times -rude ways, in his behavior. The Princess did the -same. She valued and admired the inner worth -of the young artist, and did not concern herself -about his rough exterior.</p> -<p>The first visit of Beethoven to Vienna was not a -long one. His leave of absence, or, if you prefer, -his term of banishment from the electoral court at -Bonn, approached its end, and he must return home. -His devoted friends, Prince and Princess Lichnowski -chief among them, let him go reluctantly, and cordially -and urgently invited him to return soon.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_91">91</div> -<p>“Always consider my house as your residence, -dear Beethoven,” said Prince Lichnowski, as he embraced -him at his departure. “Whether I may be -in Vienna or not, you will always find a room ready -for you here.” The Princess manifested the same -kind feeling.</p> -<p>Beethoven was deeply affected by his separation -from these noble and devoted friends, and with -heart-felt emotion expressed his gratitude for all -the favors he had received.</p> -<p>“I shall come again,” said he. “Be it sooner or -later, depend upon it, I shall come. Vienna has -become very dear to me. Such friends as I have -found here are treasures for a lifetime. One must -find such friends to appreciate the joyousness of -living.” So he departed; but he forgot neither his -promises nor his affectionate friends and admirers.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_92">92</div> -<p>In the narrow limits of Bonn the young eagle, -Beethoven, could not spread his wings for his highest -flight. He longed to be back again in the -Kaiser city. There were the great masters of the -art, Gluck, Haydn,<a class="fn" id="fr_25" href="#fn_25">[25]</a> and Mozart, whose music was -admired by all cultured persons; and there, music -was considered the highest of all the arts and was -most honored. Beethoven needed such a soil to -bring his mighty genius to its highest development, -and therefore his thoughts repeatedly turned toward -Vienna, and he longed for nothing so ardently as to -go back there. This was not because he loved and -esteemed his old friends in Bonn less than his new -Vienna friends. He clung to them with all his -earlier attachment; but his art urged him on to the -highest and holiest things of life, and it was only -in Vienna that he could find at that time the soil -fitted to bring his art to its complete blossoming.</p> -<p>The Elector, in whose good graces Beethoven -still remained, heard of the ardent wishes of the -young man from Count Waldstein, but for a long -time he did nothing to promote them. A fortunate -dispensation brought the renowned Haydn -to Bonn in July, 1792,<a class="fn" id="fr_26" href="#fn_26">[26]</a> and Beethoven did not lose -the opportunity to renew the acquaintance which -he had made during his first visit to Vienna.</p> -<p>Haydn manifested delight at seeing the young -artist again, and expressed his astonishment that he -had not yet gone back to Vienna, where he would -be received with the greatest possible pleasure and -honors.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_93">93</div> -<p>“It is not my fault that I was not there long -ago,” he replied. “The Elector wishes me to -remain here, and I am so greatly indebted to him -that it is impossible for me to oppose his desires.”</p> -<p>“That is truly an unanswerable argument,” said -Haydn. “For all that, keep up good courage. -Everything will come out right yet.”</p> -<p>And so it did, and more quickly than Beethoven -had dared to hope. The good Haydn -eloquently appealed to the Elector to gratify the -young man’s wishes, and Count Waldstein reinforced -him so enthusiastically that the Elector at -last decided to let him go. It was done as a mark -of favor and honor; and delighted with the realization -of his longings, Beethoven returned, in 1792,<a class="fn" id="fr_27" href="#fn_27">[27]</a> -to his loved Vienna, where he was to settle down -for the rest of his life.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_94">94</div> -<p>His friends in Vienna received him with open -arms. Prince Lichnowski again arranged a room for -him in his palace, and gave him a seat at his table, -and the Princess treated him as if she had been his -mother. Beethoven accepted all these proffered -favors with gratitude, and such truly intimate relations -soon existed between his patron and himself, -that his peculiarities, and the little improprieties of -which he was often guilty, failed to disturb them -for any length of time. And the young musician -showed himself peculiar, very peculiar, often extremely -so. For instance, he did not come to the -table for a long time. Prince Lichnowski asked -him the reason, and Beethoven curtly replied:</p> -<p>“What! do you think it strange that I am not -seated promptly at table at four o’clock in the afternoon? -Must I be at home every day at half-past -three, dress myself, comb my hair, and shave? Not -by any means! I will not endure it. I decided -at the very first it was best to go to a restaurant. -There at least I am under no restraint, and I can -go and eat at any hour I please.”</p> -<p>The Prince let him have his own way. He fully -realized that one must not put bridle and reins on -an artist like Beethoven, but must let him go as he -pleases.</p> -<p>At another time Beethoven took a fancy to have -daily horseback rides, and had hardly intimated his -purpose when Prince Lichnowski generously placed -his entire stable at his disposal.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_95">95</div> -<p>“What!” said Beethoven, “shall I ride a -strange horse? shall I go and obsequiously ask the -stable-master every time I wish to ride whether it is -agreeable to him to saddle a horse for me? I will -do nothing of the kind; I will buy my own horse.”</p> -<p>And he did so. He rode a fortnight, and then -seemed entirely to have forgotten that he had a -horse. His whim was over, and his servant had -been doing a profitable business for a long time by -hiring the horse out by the hour.</p> -<p>On still another occasion Beethoven rang his bell -several times one morning, but the servant did not -answer the call. When he came at last, and excused -his neglect by saying that he was ordered to wait -upon the Prince, Beethoven flew into a passion, -took the fellow by the collar, and marched him to -the Prince.</p> -<p>“This churl has let me wait,” he cried in a furious -rage, “because you had called him.”</p> -<p>“That is all right, of course,” said the Prince, -quietly. “Excuse me, dear Beethoven; but you, -Friedrich”—he turned and spoke decidedly to the -servant—“must serve Herr van Beethoven first -when he and I ring for you at the same time.”</p> -<p>The young artist’s anger was quickly changed to -shame, and the result was that he procured a servant -of his own that very day, to answer his bell.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_96">96</div> -<p>The Prince, as usual, let him do as he pleased, -without paying any attention to his extraordinary -conduct. The good understanding between them -was so little disturbed by it that he gave him an -annuity of six hundred gulden, for the Elector -of Cologne had died in the meantime, and by his -death Beethoven’s salary as chamber musician was -cut off.</p> -<p>The young artist’s obstinacy was not only displayed -in his countenance, but in his behavior -toward other people. One day he was invited -by an old, wealthy Countess to a reception which -she gave in honor of Prince Louis Ferdinand of -Prussia.<a class="fn" id="fr_28" href="#fn_28">[28]</a> Beethoven accepted the invitation, for -he highly esteemed the Prince, with whom he was -personally acquainted and of whom he once said: -“He plays the piano not like a Prince, but like a -correct, skilful musician.” There was music, and -the Prince was friendly and unconstrained in his -intercourse with Beethoven. When they were invited -to supper Beethoven noticed that the haughty -old Countess had arranged to serve the Prince and -certain gentlemen of the higher nobility at a special -table. He arose in a rage, uttered some coarse -expressions about the “old fool,” put on his hat, -turned his back upon the whole company, and -rushed out like the thundering Jupiter.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_97">97</div> -<p>All the greater was his delight when the Prince -shortly afterwards compensated him in a most satisfactory -manner. The Prince gave a dinner of state -a few days later, to which, besides Beethoven, the -“old fool” and the guests of the previous evening -were invited. When they went to the table he -seated Beethoven at his right hand and the old -Countess at his left. Beethoven at last was contented, -and chatted with the Prince during the dinner -in the most agreeable manner.</p> -<p>Beethoven cordially despised what is called etiquette, -and he neither could nor would submit to -the etiquette of the royal court. The Archduke -Rudolph<a class="fn" id="fr_29" href="#fn_29">[29]</a> -had prevailed upon Beethoven, though -he was very unwilling to do it, to give him lessons on -the piano and in composition. He highly esteemed -the Prince, and on that account faithfully performed -his “court service,” as he called his lessons to the -Archduke, but submission to instructions from the -court chamberlain, who tried to make him observe -the formalities of etiquette, was far from his intentions. -The chamberlain, however, did not relax his -efforts to instruct him in the regulations, and made -all sorts of signs to him, until at last Beethoven’s -patience was completely worn out.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_98">98</div> -<p>One day, when the chamberlain attempted to -give him a stricter lesson than usual, Beethoven -said in a violent tone: “Sir, follow me to the Archduke’s -room. I am sick of your everlasting court -chamberlaining and will make an end of it, once for -all.”</p> -<p>The chamberlain’s face grew a yard long at Beethoven’s -order to go to the Archduke, as well as at -his furious tone. He indignantly refused to obey -the sharp command, and Beethoven might perhaps -have been still more vociferous had not the Archduke -himself, who had heard the dispute, opened -the door at that instant and come out of his room.</p> -<p>“What is going on here?” he asked, astonished -at the wrathful expression on Beethoven’s face.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_99">99</div> -<p>“Herr Archduke, I have the utmost possible -respect for Your Royal Highness, but if I am expected -to obey all the orders and instructions the -court chamberlain is continually pestering me with, -then I must give up coming here any more, for I -don’t care about such trifles.”</p> -<p>The Archduke smiled good-naturedly and then -turned with a serious countenance to his chamberlain.</p> -<p>“I must request you,” he said, “to let Herr van -Beethoven go his own way undisturbed. He is my -teacher, and I regard myself simply as his pupil. I -consider it an honor to be one.”</p> -<p>The chamberlain of course accepted this suggestion -in silence, and concealed his chagrin in a low -bow. Beethoven did not again have cause to complain -of him. The chamberlain always kept out -of his way if he could. It was not, however, silly -caprice and obstinacy which made Beethoven so -haughty, but simply the consciousness of his own -greatness, which made him feel himself a peer of all -the great ones of the earth. He would never humble -himself, and he would not be humbled by any one -else; hence at times his justifiable haughtiness of -manner.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_100">100</div> -<p>His outward circumstances improved every year -that he spent in Vienna. In 1792 he had the opportunity -to avail himself of instruction by Haydn -and others, which greatly assisted his artistic progress. -Eight years later he had composed famous -works, and was justly ranked as one of the first -masters in his art, whose star of glory shone not less -brilliantly than those of Mozart and Haydn. He -visited in the highest circles of Vienna society, and -was on friendly terms with the most distinguished -members of the aristocracy of the Austrian capital. -Notwithstanding this, his manner of life was extremely -simple; but he was somewhat peculiar in -his personal habits. A description of one day in his -life will give the reader some idea of his habits.</p> -<p>It is a fine summer day. As the first rays of -the sun stream into his chamber, Beethoven springs -from his bed and rushes to the basin to wash in -cool, fresh water. A bath was an absolute necessity -to him. He pours one pitcherful after another over -his head and hands, and indulges so freely in this -refreshment that he does not notice the wash-basin -is running over. In a few minutes the floor is -inundated, so that he is standing in the water like -a duck. He no longer thinks of the bath. His -head being refreshed, he begins composing, and -while thus engaged continually pours streams of -water over his body, at the same time roaring and -humming to himself—for he had no voice for -singing—in a way that would have made a dog -run. His old housekeeper in the outer room -hears the noise and knows from experience what it -all means. She pounds on the door with both fists -and cries: “Alas! Herr van Beethoven! Herr -van Beethoven!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_101">101</div> -<p>“What is the matter?” he thunders back from -his room.</p> -<p>“You will flood all Vienna if you go on in this -way.”</p> -<p>Now, for the first time, Beethoven comes to his -senses. Ashamed of what he has done, he discontinues -his ablutions, quickly throws on his clothes, -and hurries to the desk in his room to create one of -those majestic masterpieces which are destined to -astonish the world. Suddenly he throws down his -pen, and calls: “Christine!”</p> -<p>The old housekeeper thrusts her head in the -doorway. “What is your pleasure, Herr van -Beethoven?”</p> -<p>“Coffee.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_102">102</div> -<p>The head vanishes, but shortly after, the whole -figure of the old woman appears. With an air -of solemnity she gives her master a tin box. -Beethoven opens it. It is filled with roasted coffee -beans. Beethoven sniffs their fragrance with delight, -then takes the box and counts the beans, one -by one, with scrupulous accuracy, placing them in a -little pile on the table.</p> -<p>“Sixty! hold!” he cries. “That is one cup. -Now another.” Again he carefully counts sixty -beans, and then gives both piles to the housekeeper.</p> -<p>“Here is enough for two cups. Make it good, or -I will make it myself to-morrow.”</p> -<p>The housekeeper promises to do her best, and -Beethoven resumes his work, sketching down notes -with wonderful rapidity. When the housekeeper -brings the coffee, he sips it with evident satisfaction, -and then goes to the window to see what the -weather is.</p> -<p>“Beautiful! The sun shines! I will take a walk,” -he says.</p> -<p>“Oh, you never trouble yourself much about the -weather,” suggests the old woman. “We know that -you run around the city two or three times every day, -whether it blows, rains, freezes, or snows. I believe -you would walk even if you knew that the heavens -above you would fall.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_103">103</div> -<p>Beethoven assents to this. “It is healthy.” -Then he takes his hat and disappears.</p> -<p>He walks rapidly at first, until he is away from -the bustle of the streets. Then he slackens his -speed, and moves on at a moderate pace, with his -hands behind him, his head thrown back, his eyes -fixed upon the sky. Sometimes he remains motionless, -as if he were unconscious of the world around -him. Upon these occasions his figure rises to its -full height, and his eyes roll and flash brightly, looking -upward or straight forward with the eyeballs -fixed and motionless. A moment of the highest -inspiration has come to him, as it often came, not -alone in the streets, but also in the midst of the -gayest company.</p> -<p>After some minutes of this inward ecstasy, Beethoven -goes on his way, runs around the city a few -times, and then rushes to his house as if his head -were burning. People in the streets stare at him, -wondering why he hurries so, looking neither to the -right nor to the left. In this way he reaches his -house, and enters his room.</p> -<p>“For mercy’s sake, Herr van Beethoven, where -have you left your hat?” exclaims his housekeeper.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_104">104</div> -<p>Beethoven does not hear her. He rushes to the -piano, plays beautiful melodies for an hour, then -hastens to his desk and writes with the enthusiasm -of one inspired.</p> -<p>When he again lays down his pen his housekeeper -ventures to approach him and repeat her -question—“For mercy’s sake, Herr van Beethoven, -where have you left your hat?”</p> -<p>“Lost it, very likely,” he replies in a distracted -sort of way.</p> -<p>“But, sir, this is the third time in two months,” -she says. “You are so absent-minded I really -must fasten your hat upon your head more securely.”</p> -<p>Beethoven smiles. “I will buy another,” he -says, and thus the matter ends.</p> -<p>“Ries,”<a class="fn" id="fr_30" href="#fn_30">[30]</a> calls Beethoven after a little. A young -man soon appears, and salutes the master reverently -and tenderly. He is the son of Beethoven’s -old friend, chapelmaster Ries of Bonn. The great -master, who usually was extremely reluctant to give -lessons, accepted the young man as a pupil as a -mark of gratitude to his father. Chapelmaster -Ries had been very kind to Beethoven’s mother in -the last years of her life, and Beethoven repaid his -kindness by this favor to his son.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_105">105</div> -<p>“Let us get to work,” says he.</p> -<p>Young Ries puts some sheets before the master, -and, now at the piano, now at the desk, they are -speedily absorbed in their work, which is continued -until the housekeeper announces that dinner is -ready. Work is laid aside, and they refresh themselves -with a frugal repast. Beethoven, always simple -in his tastes, drinks a little of the wine grown -on the heights around Buda.<a class="fn" id="fr_31" href="#fn_31">[31]</a> Fresh, clear spring-water -is his favorite beverage, copious draughts of -which satisfy his needs.</p> -<p>After dinner they go out to enjoy the sylvan -beauty of the Schönbrunn gardens.<a class="fn" id="fr_32" href="#fn_32">[32]</a> Ries accompanies -the master, but there is little conversation -between them. Beethoven’s brain is restlessly at -work. It seems, indeed, that the beauty of the spot -was made only for the purpose of inspiring his -musical ideas. He frequently stops, and jots them -down in a notebook which he always carries, and -in which he preserves them for future use. As -evening approaches they return to the city. On -their arrival at home, the old housekeeper hands -Beethoven two notes, which had been delivered -during his absence. One is from Prince Lichnowski, -simply inviting Beethoven to a musical soirée -that evening. The other is from Baron Swieten<a class="fn" id="fr_33" href="#fn_33">[33]</a>, -and is characteristic enough. It runs: “Dear Beethoven, -if there is nothing to prevent, I should be -glad to see you about nine o’clock this evening, -with your nightcap in your pocket.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_106">106</div> -<p>“Well, this will do for to-day,” says Beethoven, -as he throws both the invitations on the table. “I -feel at home with the Prince, and I can enjoy myself -at Van Swieten’s. But I shall be late to bed. -When Van Swieten tells me to come with my nightcap -it means in plain language, ‘I will not let you -off before midnight.’ Well, let it be so. He is, -at least, a clever musician and a generous host. -That’s all right. But when you are continually -pestered by people who have not the slightest idea -of music, and who only invite you that they may -give their guests some piano-pounding, and then -force you to play until the blood under your fingernails -is on fire, the devil might stand it,—I -won’t.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_107">107</div> -<p>“Well, the Prince will not be likely to force you -to play, and Van Swieten just as little,” says Ries -quietly.</p> -<p>“Yes, you are right. I will go, and am glad to -go.”</p> -<p>And he goes. Between one and two in the -morning he returns in a lively, cheerful mood -which promises pleasant dreams. He is in bed in -five minutes, and five minutes later is sleeping -soundly. And so ends the day—one day in -Beethoven’s life.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_108">108</div> -<h2 id="c6"><i>The End</i></h2> -<p>Although Beethoven lived to see -happy days and happy times in beautiful -Vienna, other days and other times -succeeded them, darkened by a terrible -fate which only a strong and lofty spirit like his -could endure and even overcome.</p> -<p>One fine summer evening Beethoven and his -pupil, Ries, took a pleasant ramble among the beautiful -fields around Vienna. The setting sun flooded -the earth with a sea of gold and purple. Rosy -clouds slowly floated in the sky. High in air the -lark sang its sweet-toned evening song. On a green -hillock sat a shepherd lad, filling the fields and -woods around with the pretty melody of his flute, -which he had fashioned out of elder. Beethoven -and Ries stopped and quietly enjoyed the wonderful -beauty of the dying day.</p> -<p>“How beautifully the song of the lark blends -with the shepherd’s melody,” said Ries. Beethoven -leaned forward and listened. “Flute and lark? I -do not hear them,” he said, with an expression of -painful suspense on his face.</p> -<div class="img" id="pic4"> -<img src="images/p04.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="733" /> -<p class="caption"><i>He had lost his hearing. Ries tried to console and calm him</i></p> -</div> -<div class="pb" id="Page_109">109</div> -<p>“There is the young shepherd, playing on his -pipe. Do you not see him?”</p> -<p>“I see him,” said Beethoven in a pitiful tone. -“I see him—but—I do not hear him.”</p> -<p>On that spot his distressing fate was pronounced. -Beethoven, the musician, who lived only in the -realm of music, had lost his hearing! He could no -longer hear his own beautiful melodies! He would -never hear again the song of the nightingale, or the -orchestra’s surging volume of tone.</p> -<p>His misfortune did not come suddenly, like a bolt -out of the clear sky. For years Beethoven had observed -the gradual loss of his hearing, and had -sought medical help for it; but it was during this -walk that the conviction was at last forced upon -him that there was no hope he would ever be -better. Silent, sad, and absorbed in gloomy thought, -he went home. Ries tried to console and calm him, -but for such an artist, with such an affliction, there -could be no consolation, no relief except in humble -submission to the divine will.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_110">110</div> -<p>An extract from a letter written by him to his old -true friend, Wegeler, in Bonn, dated May 2, 1810, -shows how keenly Beethoven felt this affliction. -He writes: “I, however, should have been happy, -perhaps the happiest of men, had not that demon -taken possession of my ears. I have read somewhere -that man should not wilfully part from this -life so long as he can do even one good deed; and -but for this I should ere now have ceased to exist, -and by my own hand too.”</p> -<p>It could not well be otherwise. His total deafness -could not but exercise a depressing influence -upon Beethoven’s disposition, even though it could -not completely dominate his strong character. Usually -frank, cordial, and confiding in his friends, -Beethoven soon became suspicious and distrustful, -irritable and passionate. It was easy for any outsider -to slander his truest friends and set him against -them. On such occasions—and, alas, they were not -rare—Beethoven would show no outward sign of his -enmity, utter no reproaches, make no complaints, -and not even call the suspected one to account. -But from that time he would exhibit the utmost -contempt for him. At the same time he would feel -the deepest sorrow, and yet make no explanation -of his conduct. When by some chance the misunderstanding -was cleared up, then Beethoven -sought to make reparation for his injustice in every -possible way. He would offer apologies, and not -rest until reconciled to his injured friend. Then he -was as usual the truest friend, ready to help in every -time of trouble as much as it was in his power to -do so. Even those nearest to him bitterly felt the -pain of his capricious disposition.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_111">111</div> -<p>“You cannot believe,” writes Stephen von Breuning, -one of Beethoven’s devoted friends at Bonn, -“what an indescribable impression the decay of his -hearing has made upon Beethoven. Think what -the feeling of unhappiness must be in one of such -earnest character, besides his reserve and frequent -distrust of his best friends and his irresolution in -many things. For the most part, when he expresses -his original feeling freely, intercourse with -him is an actual exertion, as one can never feel absolutely -free.”</p> -<p>True indeed; but was not the unfortunate one -the most to be pitied? Let us hear what he says -about it himself.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_112">112</div> -<p>Early in 1802 Beethoven was attacked by an -illness so dangerous that for the first time he had -serious doubts whether he should recover. His -friend, the celebrated Doctor Schmidt, checked the -progress of the disease, and when he was fully restored -sent him to Heiligenstadt, a village in the -suburbs of Vienna. There in solitude, his mind -busy with thoughts about death, he wrote the following -document, a kind of will, addressed to his -two brothers:</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_113">113</div> -<blockquote> -<p>“<i>For my brothers</i>, <span class="sc">Carl</span> <i>and</i> <span class="sc">Johann Beethoven</span>:</p> -<p>“Oh, you who consider or assert that I am hostile, obstinate, -or misanthropic, what injustice you do me! You -know not the secret causes of that which makes me appear -so. My heart and my mind have been moved by the tender -feelings of affection from childhood. I have always been -disposed to perform great actions; but consider that for -the last six years I have been afflicted with a hopeless complaint, -aggravated by the unskilful treatment of physicians; -that I have been disappointed from year to year in the hope -of relief, and am at last obliged to submit to the endurance -of an evil the removal of which may take years, if it can -be removed at all. Born with an ardent, lively disposition, -susceptible to the pleasures of society, I was forced at an -early age to renounce them, and pass my life in seclusion. -When I strove to rise above this, oh, how cruelly was I -forced back by the doubly painful experience of my defective -hearing! And yet, how could I say to people, ‘Speak -louder—shout—for I am deaf’? How could I proclaim -the defect of a sense that I had once in the highest perfection—a -perfection which few of my colleagues ever surpassed? -I could not! Forgive me then when you see me -refrain from mingling with you, which I would very gladly -do. My misfortune is doubly mortifying to me, for it causes -me to be misunderstood. I am cut off from recreation in -the society of my fellow-creatures, from the pleasures of -conversation, and from the enjoyment of friendship. Well-nigh -alone in the world, I dare not go into society more -than is absolutely necessary. I am obliged to live like an -exile. If I go into company, a painful anxiety seizes me -lest I may be forced to betray my situation. This has -been my condition also during the half year I have spent -in the country. Enjoined by my sensible physician to spare -my hearing as much as possible, I have been almost encouraged -by him in my present disposition, though, carried -away by fondness for society, I have allowed myself to be -drawn into it. But how humiliating it was when one beside -me could hear at a distance a flute that I could not -hear, or a shepherd singing, and I could not distinguish a -sound! Such things brought me to the verge of despair, -and only my art restrained my hand from putting an end to -my life. It seemed impossible for me to quit the world -before I had completed the work which I felt myself set -apart to do. So I endured this wretched life—a life so -absolutely wretched that the slightest thing is capable of -plunging me from the best into the worst condition. I am -told I must be patient. I have been so. I hope I may be -steadfast in my resolution to persevere until it shall please -the inexorable Fates to cut the thread. I may be better, I -may not. I am prepared for the worst,—I, who as early -as my twenty-eighth year was forced to become a philosopher. -It is not easy—it is harder for the artist than -for any other. O God! Thou seest my misery. Thou -knowest that, wretched as I am, I love my fellow-creatures, -and am disposed to do good. O men! when you shall read -this, reflect that you have wronged me; and let the child of -affliction take comfort on finding one like himself, who, in -spite of all the impediments of nature, yet did his utmost to -obtain admittance into the ranks of worthy artists and -worthy men.”<a class="fn" id="fr_34" href="#fn_34">[34]</a></p> -</blockquote> -<div class="pb" id="Page_114">114</div> -<p>And he has been admitted to those ranks. Notwithstanding -the malignant disease which dispelled -every outward joy of life, Beethoven created those -immortal symphonies, overtures, and sonatas, in -which he proved himself the greatest master of -music and inscribed his name indelibly in the history -of the art. Misfortune could not overcome -him. His splendid genius made him superior to it. -“I will clutch fate by the throat,” he once wrote to a -friend. “It never shall make me bow to it.” And -it never did. He wrestled manfully with it, and -subjected it to his powerful will.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_115">115</div> -<p>That in spite of this he was unsociable to the end, -and often alienated his nearest friends, is easily explained -by the nature of his ailment, which made -conversation extremely difficult. It was due to this -also that Beethoven, always good-hearted and generous -to the suffering, experienced the ingratitude of -his own brothers in various ways. He had suffered -them to come to Vienna, supported them in every -way, and sacrificed a considerable part of his income -in their maintenance for a year. They treated him -with shameful ingratitude, and broke open his chest -and stole all the jewels, snuff-boxes, watches, rings, -and other souvenirs which had been given to Beethoven -by high personages, in recognition of his performances. -Beethoven, that great, noble heart, made -no allusion to the theft; but the knowledge that -those who were nearest to him, who owed their very -existence to him, upon whom he had absolutely -heaped benefactions, had lied to him, cheated him, -and robbed him,—such knowledge could not contribute -to his happiness, cheerfulness, and affability.</p> -<p>And yet, notwithstanding all this, with all his -misfortune, was Beethoven actually unhappy? Was -he alone in his gloomy solitude? He may have -been at first, but in his later life certainly not.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_116">116</div> -<p>The happiness of knowing he could create sublime -masterpieces was greater than the unhappiness -of being deaf and misunderstood. He was not solitary, -for the divine genius of art always was his -companion. Beethoven was really happy because -he was greater than his misfortunes. Upon his -heroic brow rests a more splendid ornament than -the crown of any king,—the laurel-wreath of everlasting -fame, the radiant diadem of immortality.</p> -<h2 id="c7">Footnotes</h2> -<div class="fnblock"><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_1" href="#fr_1">[1]</a>Johann -or Jean van Beethoven, father of the composer, was a tenor singer in -the chapel of the Elector of Cologne at Bonn. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_2" href="#fr_2">[2]</a>Max Franz was brother of the Emperor Joseph II. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_3" href="#fr_3">[3]</a>The -Graus Haus, where Beethoven was born, is No. 515 in the Bonn Gasse -(Bonn Street), and is now marked by a tablet, placed there in 1870. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_4" href="#fr_4">[4]</a>Beethoven’s -mother, Marie Magdelena Laym, was the daughter of the chief -cook at Ehrenbreitstein. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_5" href="#fr_5">[5]</a>There is a question whether Beethoven was born on the 16th or 17th of -December, 1770. Probably he was born on the 16th. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_6" href="#fr_6">[6]</a>Beethoven’s -grandfather was Ludwig van Beethoven, chapelmaster for the -Elector of Cologne. He died in 1773, when his grandson was three years of age. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_7" href="#fr_7">[7]</a>Pfeiffer was a tenor singer in the opera at Bonn. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_8" href="#fr_8">[8]</a>Van den Eeden was organist at the Court Chapel and an old friend of -Beethoven’s grandfather. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_9" href="#fr_9">[9]</a>Neefe succeeded Van den Eeden as organist, and when he in turn gave up -the position, he left Beethoven in charge of the organ. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_10" href="#fr_10">[10]</a>Seven Mountains. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_11" href="#fr_11">[11]</a>A castle on the Rhine, twenty-two miles from Cologne. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_12" href="#fr_12">[12]</a>Königswinter -is seven miles from Bonn, and is the favorite resort of tourists to -the “Sieben Gebirge,” a mountainous region famous for its picturesque beauty. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_13" href="#fr_13">[13]</a>Dr. Wegeler -was a physician of Bonn, who subsequently married Eleonora -von Breuning, a daughter in the Breuning family, Beethoven’s devoted friends. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_14" href="#fr_14">[14]</a>Beethoven -had four brothers, viz.: Ludwig Maria, born April 1, 1769; -Caspar Anton Carl, April 7, 1774; Nikolaus Johann, Oct. 1, 1776; August -Franz Georg, Jan. 16, 1781; and two sisters, the elder of whom, born Feb. 23, -1779, lived only four days, and Maria Margaretha Josepha, born May 4, 1786. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_15" href="#fr_15">[15]</a>Reader. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_16" href="#fr_16">[16]</a>“Auf -wiedersehen,” or, “till we see each other again,” equivalent to the -French “Au revoir.” -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_17" href="#fr_17">[17]</a>Frau -von Breuning was the widow of the electoral counsellor von Breuning. -The family consisted of three sons and a daughter, Eleonora, who for some time was -a pupil of Beethoven, and eventually married Dr. Wegeler. Beethoven dedicated -his first variations for the piano to her. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_18" href="#fr_18">[18]</a>Franz -Anton Ries, violinist, was born at Bonn, Nov. 10, 1755, and was a -teacher and friend of Beethoven. His son Ferdinand was a pupil of Beethoven. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_19" href="#fr_19">[19]</a>The Count von Waldstein -was a patron of the arts and a connoisseur in -music. He was of special service to Beethoven, who dedicated to him his great -Sonata (op. 53). -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_20" href="#fr_20">[20]</a>Beethoven -was appointed organist to the electoral chapel in 1785, being then -in his fifteenth year. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_21" href="#fr_21">[21]</a>Dr. Heinrich Doring, in his -“Life and Characteristics of Beethoven,” says: -“He preferred the English writers to the French. Thompson is his favorite poet, -but particularly great is his admiration for Shakespeare.” -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_22" href="#fr_22">[22]</a>A bass singer in the electoral chapel. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_23" href="#fr_23">[23]</a>Prince -Karl Lichnowski was a highly cultivated nobleman, and a pupil of Mozart. -His consort, Princess Christiane, born Countess of Thun, was also refined, -scholarly, and devoted to music. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_24" href="#fr_24">[24]</a>Mozart was at this time thirty-one, and Beethoven seventeen years of age. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_25" href="#fr_25">[25]</a>Gluck was born in 1714, and Haydn in 1732, so at this time (1788) Gluck -was seventy-four and Haydn fifty-six years of age. Both these composers made Vienna -their home, and both died there. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_26" href="#fr_26">[26]</a>Haydn was at this time -returning from his visit to England. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_27" href="#fr_27">[27]</a>Beethoven was now in the twenty-second year of his age. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_28" href="#fr_28">[28]</a>Prince Louis Ferdinand of Prussia, nephew of Frederick the Great, was born -Nov. 18, 1772, and died on the battlefield at Saalfeld, Oct. 10, 1806. He was -an excellent pianist and composer, and so fond of music that he kept musicians with -him in the army. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_29" href="#fr_29">[29]</a>Archduke Rudolph, son of Leopold of Tuscany and Marie Louise of Spain, -was born at Florence, Jan. 8, 1788, and died at Vienna, July 24, 1831. He was a -pupil of Beethoven, but eventually gave up music and went into the Church, and -was appointed cardinal. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_30" href="#fr_30">[30]</a>Ferdinand Ries, pianist and composer, -and the pupil of Beethoven, was born -at Bonn, Nov. 28, 1784, and died at Frankfurt, Jan. 13, 1838. He was considered -one of the best pianists of his time. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_31" href="#fr_31">[31]</a>Buda is that part of -Budapest lying on the west bank of the Danube. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_32" href="#fr_32">[32]</a>These gardens -were attached to the imperial palace of Schönbrunn. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_33" href="#fr_33">[33]</a>Baron -Gottfried van Swieten was a distinguished musical amateur and a -patron of Beethoven and Haydn. Beethoven dedicated his first symphony to him. -</div><div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_34" href="#fr_34">[34]</a>In the original text the will ends at this point. The remaining portion -directs Doctor Schmidt to describe his disease, makes his two brothers his heirs, and -expresses his joy that when death comes, it will release him from constant suffering. -The will is dated Oct. 6, 1802. -</div> -</div> -<div class="pb" id="Page_117">117</div> -<h2 id="c8">Appendix</h2> -<p>The following is a chronological statement of the principal -events in the life of Ludwig van Beethoven, which was -mostly spent in Vienna, and mainly devoted to composition:</p> -<table class="center"> -<tr><td>1770 </td><td>Born at Bonn, Prussia, Dec. 16.</td></tr> -<tr><td>1783 </td><td>First composition, “Variations on a March.”</td></tr> -<tr><td>1785 </td><td>Appointed Court Organist.</td></tr> -<tr><td>1787 </td><td>Sent to Vienna by Elector of Cologne to study with Mozart.</td></tr> -<tr><td>1792 </td><td>Second visit to Vienna to study with Haydn.</td></tr> -<tr><td>1795 </td><td>Composed three trios in Vienna, marked Opus 1, indicating that he regarded all he had previously produced as of no consequence.</td></tr> -<tr><td>1796 </td><td>Made an artistic tour in North Germany.</td></tr> -<tr><td>1797 </td><td>First Symphony.</td></tr> -<tr><td>1798 </td><td>Deafness began, and continually increased during the remainder of his life.</td></tr> -<tr><td>1802 </td><td>Second Symphony.</td></tr> -<tr><td>1803 </td><td>Oratorio of “Mount of Olives” performed in Vienna.</td></tr> -<tr><td>1804 </td><td>Third Symphony (“Eroica”).</td></tr> -<tr><td>1805 </td><td>Composed “Fidelio,” his only opera.</td></tr> -<tr><td>1806 </td><td>Fourth Symphony.</td></tr> -<tr><td>1808 </td><td>Fifth Symphony.</td></tr> -<tr><td>1808 </td><td>Sixth Symphony (“Pastoral”).</td></tr> -<tr><td>1812 </td><td>Seventh Symphony.</td></tr> -<tr><td>1812 </td><td>Eighth Symphony (“The Little”).</td></tr> -<tr><td>1822 </td><td>Mass in D.</td></tr> -<tr><td>1823 </td><td>Ninth Symphony (“Choral”).</td></tr> -<tr><td>1827 </td><td>Died in Vienna, Dec. 26.</td></tr> -</table> -<hr /> -<h3 id="c9">LIFE STORIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE</h3> -<p class="center">AN ATTRACTIVE SERIES FOR CHILDREN</p> -<p class="tbcenter"><i>TITLES</i></p> -<p class="center small"><i>HISTORICAL</i></p> -<dl class="undent"><dt>BARBAROSSA</dt> -<dt>WILLIAM OF ORANGE</dt> -<dt>MARIA THERESA</dt> -<dt>THE MAID OF ORLEANS</dt> -<dt>FREDERICK THE GREAT</dt> -<dt>THE LITTLE DAUPHIN</dt> -<dt>HERMANN AND THUSNELDA</dt> -<dt>THE SWISS HEROES</dt> -<dt>EMPEROR WILLIAM I</dt> -<dt>LOUISE, QUEEN OF PRUSSIA</dt> -<dt>THE YOUTH OF THE GREAT ELECTOR</dt> -<dt>ELIZABETH, EMPRESS OF AUSTRIA AND QUEEN OF HUNGARY</dt> -<dt>MARIE ANTOINETTE’S YOUTH</dt> -<dt>THE DUKE OF BRITTANY</dt></dl> -<p class="center small"><i>MUSICAL BIOGRAPHY</i></p> -<dl class="undent"><dt>BEETHOVEN</dt> -<dt>MOZART</dt> -<dt>JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH</dt> -<dt>JOSEPH HAYDN</dt></dl> -<p class="center small"><i>LEGENDARY</i></p> -<dl class="undent"><dt>FRITHJOF SAGA</dt> -<dt>GUDRUN</dt> -<dt>THE NIBELUNGS</dt> -<dt>WILLIAM TELL</dt> -<dt>ARNOLD OF WINKELRIED</dt> -<dt>UNDINE</dt></dl> -<hr /> -<p class="center">Sold single or boxed in sets of two, four, and eight volumes</p> -<p class="center">Uniform size, 5 × 6¾ inches. Green cloth binding, stamped in white and gold. Each, 60 cents net; by mail, 68 cents</p> -<hr /> -<p class="center">A. C. McCLURG & CO. -<br /><span class="small">PUBLISHERS</span> -<br /><span class="small">NEW YORK</span><span class="hst"><span class="small"> CHICAGO</span></span><span class="hst"><span class="small"> SAN FRANCISCO</span></span></p> -<div class="box"> -<p class="center">LIFE STORIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE</p> -<p class="center"><i>Translated from the German by</i> -<br /><span class="small">GEORGE P. UPTON</span></p> -<p class="center"><span class="sc">24 Volumes Now Ready</span></p> -<p class="center"><i>Historical and Biographical</i></p> -<dl class="undent"><dt><span class="sc">Barbarossa</span></dt> -<dt><span class="sc">William of Orange</span></dt> -<dt><span class="sc">Maria Theresa</span></dt> -<dt><span class="sc">The Maid of Orleans</span></dt> -<dt><span class="sc">Frederick the Great</span></dt> -<dt><span class="sc">The Little Dauphin</span></dt> -<dt><span class="sc">Herman and Thusnelda</span></dt> -<dt><span class="sc">The Swiss Heroes</span></dt> -<dt><span class="sc">Marie Antoinette’s Youth</span></dt> -<dt><span class="sc">The Duke of Brittany</span></dt> -<dt><span class="sc">Louise, Queen of Prussia</span></dt> -<dt><span class="sc">The Youth of the Great Elector</span></dt> -<dt><span class="sc">Emperor William First</span></dt> -<dt><span class="sc">Elizabeth, Empress of Austria</span></dt></dl> -<p class="center"><i>Musical Biography</i></p> -<dl class="undent"><dt><span class="sc">Beethoven</span></dt> -<dt><span class="sc">Mozart</span></dt> -<dt><span class="sc">Johann Sebastian Bach</span></dt> -<dt><span class="sc">Joseph Haydn</span></dt></dl> -<p class="center"><i>Legendary</i></p> -<dl class="undent"><dt><span class="sc">Frithjof Saga</span></dt> -<dt><span class="sc">Gudrun</span></dt> -<dt><span class="sc">The Nibelungs</span></dt> -<dt><span class="sc">William Tell</span></dt> -<dt><span class="sc">Arnold of Winkelried</span></dt> -<dt><span class="sc">Undine</span></dt></dl> -<p class="center">Illustrated. Each 60 cents <i>net</i></p> -<p class="center"><i>In Preparation</i></p> -<dl class="undent"><dt><span class="sc">Eugenie, Empress of the French</span></dt> -<dt><span class="sc">Charlemagne</span></dt> -<dt><span class="sc">Prince Eugene</span></dt> -<dt><span class="sc">Queen Marie</span></dt> -<dt><span class="sc">Sophie of Naples</span></dt></dl> -<p class="center">A. C. McCLURG & CO., <span class="sc">Chicago</span></p> -</div> -<h2>Transcriber’s Notes</h2> -<ul> -<li>Copyright notice provided as in the original—this e-text is public domain in the country of publication.</li> -<li>In the text versions, delimited italics text in _underscores_ (the HTML version reproduces the font form of the printed book.)</li> -<li>Silently corrected palpable typos; left non-standard spellings and dialect unchanged.</li> -</ul> - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Ludwig Van Beethoven (Life Stories for -Young People), by Franz Hoffman and George P. 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