The Abbeville banner. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, March 10, 1859, Image 1
Ml MMTOg MIHM.
_ i 1 1 1 """ ' ' _
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BY DAVIS & CREWS. ABBEVILLE, S. C, THURSDAY MORNING, MARCH 10, 1859. VOL. XV NO. 4d
TTTV nTTUTW A T7TD g\-rr urnoriniir I . 1 I
M VM iii i? i? uxv ur iuuovun.
A TALE OF THE EMPIRE UNDER
PETER THE GREAT.
CHAPTER 1.
The time at which wo open our story is
fnid winter, and towards tlie closo of the
Seventeenth century. Russia is the scene.
In the suburbs of Muscow, and very
Aear the river Moskwa, stood an humble
tot, which betrayed a neatness of arrange
fnent and show of tasto tiiat more than
fnadc up for its smallness of size. ]*>aek
Of tlie cot was artisan's shop, and other out
buildings. This shop was devoted to the
fnanufacturc of fire arms, mostly. Some
Swords, and other edijed weapons, were
imro iihah cnnniol
-- ~ "I"'" "|'W?. ..n...V,.lllVII.
Tlie master of litis tenement was llic hefro
of our tale, liuric Novel. We find liim
standing by liis forge, watching the white
Smoke as it curled up towards the throat of
the chimney. He was a young man, noj,
over threc-and-twentv, and possessed a
frame of more llian ordinary symmetry and
muscular development. He was not large
?not above a medium si/.e?but a single
glance at the swelling chest, the broad
shoulders, and the sinewy ridges of the
bare arms, told at once that lie was master
Of great physical power, lli.s father had
been killed in the then late war with the
Tnrks, and tlie son, leaving his mother with
a sufficiency of sustenance, went to Spain
Soon after the bereavement. There lie found
work in the most noted armories : and now
' I
well versed in the trade, lie had returned to
his native city to follow his calling, and
support his mother.
Near by stood a boy?Paul PeepofT?a
bright, intelligent lad, some fifteen years of
as?, who had bound himself to the gunmaker
for the purpose of learning the art.
Claudia Nevel, Hulie's mother, was .1 noble
looking woman, and tlie light of her
still handsome countenance was never
brighter than when gazing upon her boy.
Sho had a thankful, loving heart, and a
prayerful, hopeful soul.
'It is snowing again, faster than ever' remarked
Paul, as he took his seat at the supper-table,
in company with the others.
'Ah,' returned Jiurir, resting his knife a
few moments while he bent his ear to lis'.eti
10 the voice of the storm. 'I had hoped
"'twould snow no more for the present. The
finow i.i deep enough now. AikI how it
blows!'
'Never mind,' spoke the dame, in a trustful,
easy tone, 'it inu^t storm wlien it lis
telli, and we can only thank God that we
have shelter, and pray for those who have
none.'
'Auien!' responded Kuril*, fervently.
Tlio meal was at length eaten, and the
table set back, and shortly afterwards Paul
retired to his bed.
Iiuric drew his chair close up to the fireplaco,
and leaning against the jam, he
bowed liis head in absorbing thought. This
had become a habit with him of late.?
Ilia mother having observed these fits of
abstraction, became uneasy and pressed
lturic to tell her what it was over which he
was so constantly and so moodily brooding.
1 Jcing thus urged, Kuric confessed that it
was of Kosalind Valdai (the orphan daughter
of a nobleman, and now the ward of
OJga, the powerful and haughty Duke of |
Auiaj lie was ttiiuking. llitric's father, aiul j
the father of Rosalind, had been comrades j
in arms in their youth, and their children j
liad been playmates. lint when the elder j
Nerel was slain in battle, lluric was yet a
boy, and the widow and her 6on remained
poor and obscure ; while Valdai, more fortunate,
had risen to a high rank, and dying,
Jeft Rosalind a title and a fortune.
The young people, however, had not for
gotten each other, lluric loved Rosalind
with all the fervor of his being, and he felt
fissured that Rosalind rettirnwl his love.?
As lie and his moLhcr sat debating the matter
on that stormy night, a loud knock upon
the outer door startled them.
'18 there any one hero ?' the gunmaker
asked, as he opened the door^otvin^his
cnu wiiu suieiuiiig his eves l rouSJ^^p^pPiHg
snow with one hand.
Yes,' returned n voice from the Stygian
darkness. 'In God's name let mo in, or I
shall perish.'
'Then follow quickly,' said Iiuric. 'Here
?givo mo your hand. There?now come.'
The youth had found the thickly gloved
hand?gloved with the softest fur?and
having led the invisible applicant into the
hall, he closed the door, and then led the
way to the kitchen. Without speaking,
Iiuric turned and ga/.ed upon the newcomer.
The stranger, who was cqnally desi
luuji "t Hscuruiimng wnai manner of man
lluric was, was a monk?and habited some thing
like ono of the Black monks of St.
Michael, lie was of medium hight, and
possessed a rotundity of person which was
comical to behold.
,At length, after warming himself by the
fire, the guest asked if ho could be accommodated
with some sleeping-place, and be-,
ing answored iu the affirmative, lluric
showed him to a chamber, aud thou retired
himself.
The next morning, after breakfast, llio
Monk went with Kuric to his shop, and examined
with much interest tlio various
weapons therein, lluric quostiQncd him
closely as to whether ho had ever met him
before, but the Monk replied evasively, ami
after saying that ill case tlic jjuiimakor
should ever, in any great emergency, need
a friend, tliat lio might apply to liim, ho
took his leave.
Towards the middle of the afternoon, just
as liuric had finished tempering some parts
of a gun-lock, the back door of liis shop
was opened, and two men entered. They
were young men, dressed in costly furs, and
both of them stout and good-looking. The
gumnaker recognized them as the Count
Conrad I>amonoflf aLd his friend Stephen
U rzen.
'1 think T speak with liuric Novel,* said
the Count, moving forward.
'Von do,' returned liuric, not at all sur.
prised by the visit, since people of all clasess
were in the habit of calling at his placo to
order arms.
You are acquainted with the Lady ltoaa
lind Valdai ?' lie said.
'I am," answered liuric, now beginning
to wonder.
'Well, sir,' resumed Damonoff, with
much haulIiH'ss. 'noilmiK mv Ihkimioco onn
I be quickly and satisfactorily settled. It ia
my desire to make tlio Lady Rosalind my
wife.'
lluric Novel started at tliesc words, and
lie clasped his hands to hide their tremulous
ncss. Hut lie was not loug debating upon
' an answer.
'And why have you come to me with this
information, sir?' he asked.
'Ruric Novel, you shall not say that I did
not make myself fully understood, and
hence I will explain.' The Count Bpoko
this as speaks a man who feels that he is
doing a very coudscending thing, and in
the same tome he proceeded : 'The Lady
Rosalind is of noblu parentage and very
wealthy. My own station and wealth are
equal with hers. I love her, and must have
her for my wife. I have been to see the
noble J>uUc, her guardian, and ho objects
not to inv suit. Hut lie informed me that
there was an inij ^dirnent, and that was her
love for you. lie knows full well?as I
know, and as all must know?that she
could never become your wife; but yet ho
is anxious not to interfere too much against
her inclinations. So a simple denial from
you, to the effect that you can never claim
her hand, is all that is necessary. I have a
paper here all drawn up, and all that I require
is si in ] ly your signature. Here?it
is only a plain, simple avowal on your part
that you have no hopes nor thoughts of
seeking the hand of the lady in marriage.*
As the Count *pokc he drew a paper
from the bosom of his marten doublet, and
having opened it he handed it towards the
gun maker, lint liuric took it not. lie
ilrow back and rmzod tlin visitnr sfnrnlv in
the face.
'Sir Count,' lie said, calmly and firml}',
'you have plainly stated your proposition,
and I will as plainly answer. I cannot
sign tlio paper.'
'11a!* gasped Daraonoff, in quick passion.
'Do you refuse V
'Most flatly.'
Hut you will sign it!' his&ed Damonoff,
turning pale with rage. 'Llore it is?sign !
If you would live?sign!'
Perhaps ho cannot write,'suggested Urzen
contemptuously.
'Then he may make his mark,' rejoined
tne Count, in the same contemptuous tone.
It might not require much more urging
to induce me to make my mark in a man
nor not at all agreeable to you, sir,'the
youth retorted, with his teeth now set, and
the dark veins upon his brow starting more
plainly out. 'Do you seek a quarrel with
meV
'Seek ??I seek what I will have. Will
you sign V
'Once more?No !'
'Then, by heavens, you shall know what
it is to thwart such as me! How's that?'
As these words passed from tho Count's
lips in .1 low, liissi ng whisper, he aimed a
blow with his fist at Rurick's head. The
gunmaker had not dreamed of such a das
tardly act, and he was not prepared for it.
Yet lie dodged it, and as tho Couut drew
back Ituric dealt him a blow upon the brow
that felled him to the floor like a dead ox.
'lieware, Stephen Urzen!' ho whispered
to the Count's companion, as that individual
inside a movement as though he would
come forward. 'I am not myself now, and
you aro safest where you are."
Tho inau thus addressed viewed the gun
maker a few moment*, and ho seemed to
conclude that he had bolter avoid a person
al encounter.
Conrad Damonoff slowly rose to his feet,
and gazed into his antagonist's face a few
moments in silence. His own faco deathly
pule, and his whole frame quivered.
'Ituric Novel,' he said, in a hissing, maddened
tone, 'you will hear from me. I can
overlook your plebian stock.'
And with this lie turned'^way.
Paul,' said the gun maker, turning to his
boy, after tbd men had gone, 'not a word
of this to my mother, lie sure. i
On the following morning, as Rvric was
preparing for breakfast, he saw OIm_ tho
Duko, pass by, and filrifee off into the Bor
odino road. Now, thought be, w the^iroe'
to call on Rosalind ; and as Soon he1?ad 1
eaton his breakfast he prepared far the-vis#. Ho
dressed well, and no man io Moscow.
had a nobler look when the dust of toif was
removed from his brow and garb. 1
lie took a horse and sledge, and* started
off lor the Kremlin, within which the duk*~
tubided. i
In ono of the sumptuously furnished
apartments of the palace of the Duko of
Tula sat Rosalind Valdai. She was a beautiful
girl; molded in pcrfoct form,..with the
full flush of health and vigor, and possesing
a faco of peculiar sweetness and intelligence.
She was only nineteen years of
age, and she had been ten years an orphan.
There was nothing of the aristocrat in her
look?nothing proud, nothing haughty :
but gentleness and lovo were the true elements
of her soul.
'IIow now, Zenoblo?' asked Rosalindas
her waiting-maid entered.
There is a gentleman below who would
sec you,' the girl replied,
'Then tell him I cannot aeo liirn,' said
Rosalind, trembliug.
But it is Ruiic Novel, my mistress.'
'RuricI' exelaimcd the fair maiden, starting
uPi while the rich blood mounted to
her brow and temples. 'O, I am glad he
has come. My prayers are surely answer
ed. "jead him hither, Zcnoble.' The girl
departed, find ere long afterwards Rune
onteredthe apartment, lie walked quiekly
to where llosaland had arisen to her feet,
and taking one of hor hands in both of his
own he pressed it to his lips. It was with
difticulty he spoke. But tho emotions of
his soul became calm at length, and then
he received Rosalind's promise that she
would never permit her hand to be disposed
of to another hj the Duke of Tula, Ruric
informed her of the visit of Count Damonoff
to his shop, its purpose and tho result.
Rosalind was astonished and alarmed.?
Still, she could not believe that the Duke
meant to bestow her hand upon Damonoff.
The Duke owed him money, 6he said, and
might perhaps be playing with the Count.
Ruric started as a new suspicion flashed
upon Lim. Had the Duke sent Damonoff
upon that mission on purpose to get him
into a quarrel. 'Aye,' thought the youth
to himself, 'the Duke knows that I have
taught the sword play, and ho knows the
Count would bo no match for me. So he
?i.:? ?i.?i~ ? -
biiiiiAo i?i una ouuuu milliner iu IIJctKt) I11C
an instrument for ridding him of a plague.'
But the youth was careful not to lot Rosalind
know of this. He thought sho would
be unhappy if she knew that a duril was
likely to come off between himself and the
Count.
After some minutes of comparative silence,
Ruric took leave of Rosalind, and
was soon in the open court. Hero he entered
his sledge, and then drove to the barracks
in the Khitagorod, where h? inquired
for a young friend named Orsa, a lieutenant
of the guard. Tlie officer was quickly
found, and as lie met lluric his salutation
was warm and cordial. After the first
friendly greetings had passed, Ruric re
mnrKeu, "i may nave a meoung witu Uonrad
Count DamonofF. He lias sought a
quarrel?insulted me most grossly?aimed
a blow at my head?and I knocked him
down. You can judge as well as I what
the result must be.'
'Most surely ho will challenge you,"
cried the officer excitedly.
'So I think,' said Ruric, calmly. 'And
now will you Berve mo in the event ?'
'With pleasure.'
And thereupon Ruric related all that had
occurred at the time of the Count's visit
to liis shop and then took his leave.
lie reached home just as his mother
was spreading the board for dinner. lie
often went away on business, and she
thought not of asking him any questions.
On questioning Paul, in the shop, in the
afternoon, Ruric, to his great surprise, learned
that the Black Monk had been there
during his absence, to purchase a dagger ;
that he had drawn out of the boy a minute
account of the visit of Urzen and Daroonoff,
and that ho seemed to be much pleas
ea wiiu lturic's conduct. As they were
talking, Urzen called and presented a ciial
lengo from the Count. Ruric- at once
referred him to his friend, and lio took bis
leave.
That evening about eight o'clock, a
sledge drovo up to Ruric's door, and young
Orsa entered the house. Ho called Ruric
aside, and informed him that tlio arrangement
bad all been made.
'Damonoff is in a hurry,' be Baid, 'and
wo have appointed the meeting at ten
o'clock to morrow forenoon. It will tako
the bend of tbe river just beyond
tfi^Viska nil!."
'And tbe weapons ?' ashed Ruric.
'Swords,' returned Orsa. *Tbe Count
will bring bis own, and be^ gives you the
privilege of selecting such an one as you
choose.' . .
'I thank yoa, Orsa, for your kindness
thus far, and you may rcat assured that I
shall bo prompt.'
'Suppose I call hero Id the morning for
you I' auggcsieu iuevisitor.
*1 should l>e pleascfl to bate you do so,'
Uie"j*urimakor Raid ; -and tbifa it was arr&nged.
On lift; folk)wing moming-Kit/io was up
betitnea, and at tlijp breakfast table not ff
vctf^of tbeooe-absorbing ?b?rae was ut*
?%red? After tbe moat waa fimabod^he
gUDrtiakjW w-WK ^.to Mi abojp, &fdrt??k
down from 0O6 of<ther-toloaeta h long, leathern
eft*,?A wWob^rett^- *T>Kk.' Tfeey
-ware Toledo bfafevawd oC moat -tquta'Ue
^rert mabsbip pk& fbiab. Karkr fioolr out
tbebe&VHt^dM/whufo waft m two edged
, ft,fcrors* MTlt>f beavffy gilded
metak lie placed tbe yoiM vpau tbe floor*
and then, with all his weight ho bent the
blade till the pommel touched tho point.
The lithe steel sprang back to ils place nn
with a sharp clang, and tlio texturo was ?r
not started. Then he struck the Hat of tho
blade upon the anvil with great force.? tK
Tho ring was sharp and clear, and the Ul
weapon remained unharmed. ?r
'By St. Michael,' said tho gunmaker to
his boy, 'Moscow docs not contain another j"'1
blade like that. Damascus cevor raw n 1,1
better.' T'
*1 think you are right, mv funster,' the
boy returned, who had beheld the trial of l''
the blado willi unbounded admiration.?
I3ut,' he added, 'could you r.ot temper a
blade like that ?'
'Perhaps, if I had the steel. But I have jj'
it not. Tho steel of these two blades came
from India, and was originally ono weapon
J\
?a ponderous, Iwo handed all'air, belong,
mg to a Bengal chieftain. Tlic metal possesses
all tho hardness of the finest razor,
with the elasticity of the most subtle spring.
My old master at Toledo gave me theso as
a memento. Were I to mention the sum
of monejr ho was once offered for the largest
one, you would hardly credit it."
After this Ruric gave Paul a few direc- ^
tions about the work, promising to bo back 1
before night. Just then Orsa drove up to ^
the door.
Ruric was all ready. His mother was
in the kitchen. IIo went to her with
a smile upon his faco. Ho put his arms
about her and drew her to his bosom.
I i.
vjtou uiess you, my momer. l snail
come back.' llo said ibis and then kissed ^
her. w
lie dared stop to speak no more, but
opened the door and passed out. 8t
'Have you a good weapon V asked Orsa,
as the horse started on. ^
I have,' Ruric said, quietly ; 'and one 811
which has stood more tests than most
Bwords will bear.' And after some further ar
remarks he related the peculiar circura* cc
stances attending the making of the sword,
and his possession of it. a
At length they struck upon tho river,
and in half an ltour more thev reached the 'r'
appointed spot. The day was beautiful. or
They had been upon llic ground but a few
minutes when the other party came in sight 13
around the bend of tho river. The monk
was there also.
As soon as the Count and his second and ,n
surgeon had arrived, and the horses had ^
been secured, the lieutenant proposed that
they should repair to an old building ^
which was close at hand.
'Aye,' added DamonofT?"Let us have ^
this business done, for I would bo back to
dinner. I dine with Olga to-day, and a
fair maiden awaits my coming.'
'Noticc him not,' whispered Orsa, who
walked close by Rurie's side. 'That is one 0
CO
of his chief points to get you angry, and ^
so unhinge your nerves."
'Nevor fear,' answered the gunmiker.
The party halted when they reached the
interior of tho rough structure, and the ^
Count threw off his pelisse and drew his
sword. Rutic followed his example.
Sir Count,' the latter snid as ho moved eu
a step forward, 'ere we commence this w<
work I wish all present to understand dis- an
tinctly how T stand. You liavo sought
this quarrel from the first. Without the w'
least provocation from me you havo insult- vo
ed me most grossly, and this is the climax. l,c
So, before God and man, be the result up- 'ai
on your own head.'
'Out, lying knave ' co
'Hold,' cried the surgeon, laying his hand
heavily upon the Count'B arm. "You ^
have no right to speak thus, for you lower
yourself when you do it. If you havo ne
come to fight do so honorably." a
An angry reply was upon Damonoff's ex
lips, but he did not speak it. llo turned P8
to his antngonisf and said,? ec^
'Will you measure weapons, sir ? Mino
may bo a mite the longest. I seek no ud- 'ef
, , T t ? .. lia
vantage ; ana 1 navo one nero ot the same ""
length and weight as ray own if you wish
it.' wl
I am well satisfiod as it ' ,\ repliod Itu- pe
rio.
Then take your ground. Aro you ^
ready V p|(
'I ana T im
Tho two swords wore crossed in an iu- nl
slant, with a clear, sharp clang.
Thj^fjoro is all of this story that will bo to
publisn^d in our columnB. "We gWe this
as a sdffF|)le. Tbe continuation of it from
where it leaves off here can only be found
ou
in thd Now York Ledger, the great family
f HA *1.- A ?. - -
[fnpur, lur wuicn me njoii popular writers
in the country contribute, and which i? for c?
sale in all the stores throughout the city and mi
country, where papers are sold. Remember
arid ask for the New York Ledger of
March Id, and in it you will get the con lh
tinuation of the story froiii. where it leaves
off here. If you caoootget a copy at any hit
book store, the publisher of the Ledger will * .
mafryou a copy on- th6 receipt of five tfents.''
* The Lodger is mailed to subscribers at-.0;
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yt>ur letters to itobert J3oom*y, puMMibev g6
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gopaert sod best family-paper ift< the coqn, _
lr$,:&ljjrttuly illustrated, and bharaoterixed
by.ahjgh moVal tone, t|* present circula
.tioj? ? ?*er four hundrod thousand copies,
-which ?the best evidence we ean givo of ^
its met its. ^,
AUDUBON'S BIRDS.
People of taste, and all tbo patrons of
itural history and the fino arts, will bo nr
atified to learn that tho great work of J. w]
Audubon is now in course of republica" re
>n in this city, by Mr. J. W. Audubon, th
ider tho superintendence of tho litho.
aphic engraver, Mr. J. Bien, who executes \y,
e plates. Wo have examined seven of f0
cse that have just been completed, form- in
g the first number of the serial issue.? tli
icy aro much superior as works of art to m
c engravings executed in England under tli
e personal superintendence of the distin- Ja
lished ornithologist.
While examining the work, the engraver p
ive us an explanation of the methods cm- bj
oyed by him of producing the plates, tho ;u
lest and most cosily varieties of litho- st
aphic printing. The original paintings of pi
udubon, ..om which Mr. Bien makes his ul
igravings, present a variety ol colors' ni
liich it is, of course, impossible to produco jn
7 one impression from a lithographic stone, ni
> evade this difficulty, three, four or even
:e stones of large size are prepared for w
> same picture ; the plates arc 17 by 10 in
ches in dimension. m
Upon each of the stones an exactly siin st
ir outlino is made, representing, for exam- as
e, a magnificent group?a celebrated one Ti
Audubon's?of a hawk pouncing upon st
brood of chickens. The talons of the oi
rd are thrown forward, right and left, in m
kind of sparring altitude, as if bo would b;
aw up the entire brood, or at least clutch at
i many chickens as possible in each foot, a
lio wings slightly retracted, the head m
itli glittering eyes ready to assist tho savje
poise of the talons ; tho terrfied prey, n<
niggling vainly to elude the winged F
iath ; it is carnivorous nature caught and pi
ced in one of her most brilliant and tran- a
ent attitudes. w
Four outlines made upon the four etones ac
e each for a separate color. The yellow ai
mes first. Wherever there is yellow to th
: represented in tho picture?not only as st
1 1 e ?i? I... i
\Ji auiutuu L'UlUr, UUL H3 H DII3I3 IOr JG
c other colors through which it is to show
ansparently?the drawing is completed up- Q
j the stone. w
A very finely prepared yellow oil paiut in
put upon the stone by n roller ; but, by qi
e usual art of lithography, it adheres only pi
here it should, to the parts of the draw tli
g intended to bo yellow. From this m
:llow impressions are taken. These are
en printed with red or brown, which goes to
irtly over the yellow, and covers some of lil
e paper itself. Then comes other colors, o<
including always with blue, to give sky,
stance, air, perspective nr.d shading. ti<
Very fine paints, ground with extraordi- It
try care, have to be used in this style of P
t. The best are those that bIiow no traces ar
oil, or are what painters call "dead tb
lor," the most difficult of all to obtain* nt
rdinary paints have a gloss or shine from th
e oil contained in them, which is highly w]
jurious in lithography. The result of bi
r. Bien's labors upon this work has been th
ie production of colored plates equal in to
feet to fine oil paintings. In the English of
gravings of Audubon's "work, tne skies th
are omitted, and very lean foregrounds be
id accessories introduced. AH the parts us
ive been carefully restored by Mr. Bien? no
:io not only surpasses the foreign engra- Bi
r in his detail, but in giving the full artis. ni
( effect, covering tho entire plate with
idscape, figures and foliage. "ni
In order to save snace and reduce the ril
st of the work to subscribers, Mr. Bien tic
is in some instances combined several of A
e original pictures in one plate. In tbe 80
lglish edition, n single 6tnall bird and ^
at might be seen spotting the middle of
vast expanse of paper. This tasteless and in
pensive island of bird in an ocean of Fi
ge has been properly and skillfully avoid- ho
Pi
The expense of the entire work will be
is than half the price of the orginal Eng. of
h edition.?New York Century. th
? mi
How melancholy the moon must feel
len it has enjoyed the fullness of pros ,nt
irity, and got reduced to its fast quarter.
In ancient days the precept was, " Know B0<
vself." In modern times, it has been sup ftu
jnted by the far moro fashionable max
i, "Know thy neighbor, and everything "fl
out him." > '*. - B?
u v.....- iva
jluuio ia.a vuijr tirtiu uiiou, oniu iiro iv*tho
oyster.- - on'
- * ? . rto
An ignorant mart ftotti the eounli'y in' ^
iires whether mock turtle soUp ta road&
it of tortoise shell cats f j^i
It is said some babies are so smmlf they
n oreep into quart rtteasthrep..Btrt. the no
iy some adults can walk into such a wc
Bftsure ia astonishing. ^
Labor lost?an orgnf) gri6d6f placing at 10
ie door of a deaf and dumb asjRtay. > - ^
Buffer complains Uiftt ihe opera gieer T
m a singing in thGeara. ' . V .fat
A heart fail of love ami human ay mpa ^
f lipj^s 6ut ttyotfgfi fhd window ^
cheerful fnco, and speak* W youia a nu
ntletone of jrofeer * ?:'M ^ '* m
Otrr perfect ermrtionk *re like birds of '#
Tftdiao, wfcicb, if yr Wfta ?
rtty can seldom riM agatft. "+ ' * ? * .?. " ^
iii ii - <? ***
"Iftrther/'aaid* tittle bo* M t'M tifetf jj
this pig nose ; stftf *|
rgj>er every day." ifc
- i > T ?
HISTORY OF THE PIANO.
The Boston Express lias an interesting
tide on tho Piano, a condensation o
liich we think will he of interest to our
aders. Fifty ycats ago tho instruments, 1
ough very inferior to those of the present ^
iy, commanded extravagant prices, ami (
aro within the reach of hut few. Piano '
rte players, tooj were ijnite as rare as tho '
struments; but now, wlion tho prices o' '
e instruments bring them within tho '
<
cans of almost all classes, a knowledge of '
e piano constitute the chief part of a 1
rly's accomplishments.
The writer proceeds to say that the '
iano forte of to-day was not an invention '
f itself?no one pretends to Hud a claim- 1
it for it. It has been perfected stop l?y j :
ep, through a succession of ages ; ami j
obably the thing first conceived, which
limately led to something like a Piano, no
oro resembled a Piano-forte than a 1>?>< ?t,ck
resembles one of Grovor llakei's
icely working sewing machines.
The first approach to it, or the first idea
hich finally developed the Piano, was an
islrument called the psulUrion or tym/w<im,
which wns simply a box, across which
rings or wires were placed, and turned so
i to fotm the common scale in music.?
he sounds were produced by striking the
rings or wires with two light hammers,
r.o held in each hand. It was an liistru
lent of Greek origin, though much in use
p the Hebrews. Tho instrument known
i the Dulcimer of the prcsont day, bore
nearer resemblanco to it than any instruent
with which we are acquainted.
Tho invention of the Clavichord was the
jxt stop towards the manufacture of the
iano-forte. This instrument was an i 111 rovement
on ill a psalter ion or tympanum*
key-board for the first time being used, by
hich am all plates of copper were made to
:t upon the strings. After the Clavichord
lothcr instrument called the Cluviehlerian,
in which cat gut strings were subitutod
for wires, and acted upon by soft
ather hammers.
Another instrument, which it is said
ueen Elizabeth was fond of playing upon,
as called tho Viryinial. It was a keyed
strument, wire metalicstrings vibrated by
jills attached to the ends of levers. It
robably derived its name from the fact
lat tho Virgin Queen held it in high eslilation.
The Spinet was of similar construction '
i tho Virginal. It was formed, howeven ;
kc tho square Piano ol a much later peri- 1
I. i
The Harpsichord, a much lator inven- !
an, was first known about the year 1530. I i
s shape was similar to tliat of the grand i
iano-forte, liad two rows or banks of lccvs, 1
id could be used together or separately, <
e lower bank giving at the same touch the
>tes of the upper. In this instrument <
e jack, with a movable tongue, through i
bicb was passed a quill, was first used, i
it ao different in its effects upon the string t
at some writer satirically describes the [
ne as " a scratch with a sound at the end s
Jt.w However harsh and disagreeable I
e tones of this instrument must have p
en, compared to the poorest Pianos now a
ed, we would remind the instrument conliseur
that the fine productions of the
ichs, Beethoven, Ilandel, Mozart, C!n- a
enti and others were composed upon it. 1
Many years later, a maker of musical n
struraents of Paris, by the name of Ma- ?
is, improved the action by the substitu- a
>n of small hammers instead of rjnills.? 1
Florentine, by the name of Christophcro, ?
mucii improved tlie discovery of .Marius,
at it may be said to form tlic basis of "
08t of tbe subsequent improvements, and, 0
fact, be may claim to bavo tho first ^
ano-forte. It could bo made to play
111 loud and soft?hcnco the iiamo of S
ano-forto. The next great improvements ^
ire made about tho year 1860, by Zampo r
London, who met with so great success ll
at he realized a handsome fortune in the v
Finufacturo of them, the demand for his K
itrurnents being greater on the continent H
an at home. 1
A rival establishment to Zumpe's was g
an in operation in Germany, under tlie I
spices of Siiberman, and another nt' n
iris, by the brothers Erard. fitill tho '
iglisb Pianos maintained their superiority 11
some time, and Clemenli, Kirkman', and ^
0 of two others, divided tho business,- if ?
t the honors, \Villi Ztimpe, of inn Wing *
1 best Pianos for irtany years- The cele ''
iled* ftiBtrumeutr of Broadwood arc of
6V data.- ' - " ' It
Tllie'd'ecdndWts Of tho Ernrds, however, y
w claim (o mnke the best Tianos in the
>rld, and we understand that English .ma ^
rs do not protend JLq dispute their claim.. r<
Bopftriority. ^ u
The-tfrite*-Chen-states tlfnt in this. eoiin t|
' Iftat chas ptfHios have not been mado
f$artQr pf a cefttury, >nd, "
urns tpat ^hft world i* uukbl^r lb the _
e Jomur Ohiekerihg, of Bobton fur his h
raarvefimea^-niu# ftigfenuityiiir perfecting <j
m?d<* ft iff Pi ft no" iiy {
and jkp\p^ Ujie rpunfj " j,
woer of twenty thousand have beet) ?
hy i??ni - And l>ts MiCcessors,. ;tl
Miri.* CUlefcertng^ ' Thtertr ' aro ^
0Mtf> IN6? ytho^ -j
orti, U*? writer sAj^, jvra welf ayprcci&Wd' *t
wfeose fiapios ar* J
]<??^3<s?^^W^?^Jp|tnHtipn.j Hp inontiotifc y
mnnufajWers of ttia instrument otrt of .
&OB-^rtof^'tfveri l^n^tio, "of' T/ftliinVoro, *
lOfce'ti^rO^ntfl afo fast cdjiltTig iiild' no " ty
ie uml ?opufi(r Tavor. " fd
ANTECEDENTS Or LEADING ACTORS.
"Honor ninl sliainr from no condition rise??
Act well your jmrt?there nil the glory lies."
\ y .
Mrs. Siddons was formerly a lady's waitng
maid ; Forrest, llie American "howler,"
,vas an errand boy in ;i TMiiladelphia gro cry
stoic ; Murdoch is tlic son of n baker,'
uid used to servo his father's customers
Voir.' a' large basket which lie carried on
11is bead ; 1 Jilly Uurlon was once a printer's
"devil" in a London printing ollice
^ol. Smith is also a practical printer; Barney
Williams was, for many years, a regular
New York "dock whalloperJ. If."
Scott, when a "peevish" bov,'' served as a
cabin lluuky on an oyster vessel in the Philadelphia
trade ; Charlotte Irishman, before
she I timed actress, made a living for herself1
. !
and mother and sister l?v the needle fall
honor ami praise toiler ;) Collins,the Irish
comedian, served ail apprenticeship under
a 1 Miblin barber, and is even unto this day
reckoned an excellent " shaver," Charles
jMatthewR was a "gentleman born," but
was so unfortunate as to lose his title: J.
I *
It. Roberts is tlie 14 son or a gun smith,'
still living in Wilmington, Delaware; J. E.
Medonogh, was formerly a butcher, and used"
to " kill for Kevser," whose slaughter houso
was in Spring (Tarden, Philadelphia ; one
of the California " stars" is a nativo of
Newfoundland, and is the son or a mackerel
catcher?(we wouldn't give his naino
for the world, he'd be the*death of its;)1
Xed Bingham was first a gallant soldier,
next a clever actor, and now a vender oF
firct roln ?*' *-1 t? ? /"* - - - *
....v v-iij.n.T .tuM tuuiituu ] \.?torge Jordan,
the handsome and-talented " fop" actor,
served an apprcnlieealiipto the printing
traile, ami is said to be one of the most
rapid typc-siiekers ever " turned out" of
Baltimore?(e? jkihscdiI , wc bear that!
George lias become disgusted with the
stage, and intends rcsuiiiin<r his" "case" at
tho stand ;) Piacidc commenced his publib
career by playing second fiddle on a Mississippi
flat-boat ; J". K. Johnson was onco a1
pill maker in London, but finding mirth to'
be tho better kind of nvdicine, he cast'
aside his mortar and pestle, and turned his
attention and' talents to comic singing, at*
which ho is " stunning Garrick's father
kept a tenpin alio}- ; Laura Kecne was onco
a bar maid in a London saloon, and could
mix a " gin-sling" nhd a " brahdy-smach*'
with the best of thom ; of MeKoan Buchanan's
early life we know nothing?lik'o
"Topsey," we "guess lie wasn't boni^ but
!rrowe<j," Bourcicault is the son of a'Wor-'
L-eslcrsliire gardener, which pursuit lie followed
several years before going on the
lage?(this will account for his " cabbng"ing"
propensities;) John liroughain was*
raised in a charitable soup house, in Dubin,
hence lie is called a " broth" of a'boy
Dhanfrau is a carpenter by trade ; Charles"
Wlicatlcigh served several years at the tail)ring
business. A number of California
ictors rose fioin obscurity. One of tllo
nost "airy" of thorn sold "swill-milk" on'
he Five Points, ?few York, Beveritl years'
>rior to Lis debut on tho stage. It will Lb
oen froui tho above that " poverty and loW
>irth, the twin jailors of tho daring heart,''
ire not barriors to the attainniorit of fnrriti'
Hid position in the dramatic profession^'
A Spiritualist on Spiritualism.?I nionl
olemnly affirm that I do not believ'c tlihtf
here lias, during the past 500 years, arisen'
my class of people who were gililiy of Fib'
rreat a variety of crimes and indecencies*
? .1
.a ?|niibiiiiiiau> ui /viiieriCH. i'or A 1011 g
ime, L was swallowed up In its whirlpool ?>(*
xcitoment, and, comparatively, paid but'
ittle attention to its evils, believing- that;
nuch good might result from the opciiiVlgf
f the avenues of spiritual intercourse ;
>ut, during the past eight months, I have
evo'od my attention to'a' critical investi;ation
of its moral, socihl, am! religious
earing, and I stand appalled hoforo the
evelations of its awful arid d imming realties
and would flee from'its" influence as I
irould from tho miasma, which would dbiroy
both soul aud body. SpirituhlisuY
nd prostitution, with a rejection of Chriir
ianilv, are twin sisters, which everywhere
;o liaud in hand. With but littfo inqtofry,have
been able to eount up over seventy
lediu'ms, most of tfhohr have Wholly abhn'loued
their conjugal relations, others liv;!?*
with their namin'mirn oallml " nffinSti. ?* ''
ihers in promiscuous adultery, anti alHl1
tliters exchanged pArlndrs. 0!d mbn1 jftiit
fomon, wlio have passed the median of
ftj, ai'e not imftcquevilly tho rictitrifc of
lis hallucination. Many of the mediums
)so all scuso of inbral obligation**,- aVid
ield,' for tViXi ft mfe, to' whatever influence
lay be brought upon IhcriV. Their pledged,
?oir integrity, ot tholr ohlb's, ai'e no -more
jliable than' the shifting breefee Of tho
thirlwind, for thoy ai'e irriul'e to yield to
lie potters which for the time cfontrOl them.
-L/r. B. fi. llalch.
A'young, man prtce foil in love with nn
eii*C9fl, -mid rite phsfciorir being returned, it
ftlv Wftptefl' thtf parent#* con&nt to make
lWhappy.' length', jro'eeting-tha-fai her,
e,H8kfiU foi! tko daughter's band. "IIow
inch money can von command ?" Asked
Ive v?iKib>mipp ^niniy. "I cannot com1
iarttf rrttwh iiK' #?h -the reply. "What ard"
-otir e)fpectAti6T?(?? Wdl, to .tall" die
rutli.X expect tdfhn away; With'jfaur
m?*rj be*,If ^qu' db'b'i give
oirrcon?cnt."> ^ . .
't K j ^ ?>? ? ?
" to? took tb? though yoti wore ^esiile
qutheir," baid fi Wag to a fop standing by a
uukcy. ' ' r ...
' ^