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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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