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VOL. 2.]

"History of Mozart's last Requiem.

181

livered the agreed-for remuneration, with Italian Opera-House at Vienna, the prin

the remark, that having been so very moderate in his demand, he might be assured, that as soon as he had finished it, he should receive a farther remuneration of double that sum; as to the time, it was entirely left to his own pleasure.

In the mean time, Mozart received the honourable and lucrative commission to compose an Opera Seria for the Emperor's coronation at Prague, which, as Mozart had a great predilection for the Bohemians, he eagerly accepted. Just as he was in the act of stepping into his post-chaise with his wife, in order to go to Prague, the unknown messenger presented himself, and tapping him courteously on the shoulder,asked him-how it would be with the Requiem under the present circumstances? Mozart explained to him the urgency of this present journey, assuring him at the same time, that after his return the Requiem should be his first occupation. With this answer the messenger went away quite satisfied. It was at Prague that Mozart first began to feel the disease, which in little more than a year afterwards deprived the world of the greatest composer who ever existed his colour was very pale; but his spirits were as lively and entertaining as ever. On his return to Vienna, he began immediately his Requiem, aud worked with great interest and attention: but the state of his health continuing to decline, he was seized with a great dejection of spirits, and even began to think that his death was not very distant. One day as he was taking an airing with his wife in the Prater, he was overpowered by his melancholy presentiments: -“I feel," said he, "that I must die; and have only a short time left to live; I am sure they have given poison to me: I am almost convinced of it!" This was indeed a suspicion, which Mozart entertained even till his death. It is true, that he had many and some very dangerous enemies, chiefly amongst the Italian composers and artists, who before his time had been the only admiration of the public, and who now were scarcely observed by the side of this luminous prodigy in music. The envy and hate of these miscreants went so far, that when his incomparable Opera le Nozze di Figaro was first represented at the

cipal performers endeavoured, by purposely singing false notes, to spoil the effect of the finest airs, and consequently of the whole Opera. Mozart, in despair at seeing his productions so shamefully. disfigured, burst into the box of the Emperor, who was present himself, and complained of the vile trick played to him; upon which his Majesty sent a serious message to the singers, reminding them of their duty, and threatening them with his disgrace; and it was only by that means that was saved the reputation of this fiue Opera, which ever since has proved a favorite with the musical world.

But to return to our Requiem; Mozart continued with his usual love of his profession, to work on the composition of it, often repeating: "I fear, I fear I am writing my own Requiem;" and his affectionate wife, seeing his melancholy state of mind returning, thought it necessary to apply for medical advice, and actually took from him the composition of the Requiem, which she looked at as the cause of his depression. She had, indeed, soon the satisfaction to see him recovering: but alas! the joy was of short duration, and soon he relapsed into his old disease, which in a few weeks proved his death. Mozart was resigned to his fate, but could not help sometimes lamenting, that being just on the point to enjoy tranquilly his life and his art, he was obliged to leave both. On the very day of his death, he asked for his Requiem, remarked that his prediction had been true, and wished to hear some parts performed at his bed-side: this wish was complied with; he had the satisfaction of admiring and finding relief and consolation in his own production; and be ceased to breathe a few hours after.

Not quite an hour after his death, and even before the news cf it was supposed to be known beyond the doors of the house, the unknown messenger was aunounced, demanding the MS. of the Requiem, imperfect as it was; it was of course delivered to him; and neversince was he heard of, in spite of all inquiries, and of the wish publicly expressed by the family of the deceased, to know the name of this mysterious admirer of Mozart's genius. A considerable time elaps

182

Cornucopia.-Dom Raphael's Travels.

[VOL. 2 ed; the Requiem was not published, nor corrected copy in M.'s own hand-writany where performed; and the fear ing; and from this it was soon afterwards began to arise, that by the whim of some published. Mozart died in the night of unknown enthusiast, this last master the 5th Dec. 1791, in the 35th year of piece of Mozart might be lost to the his age, universally lamented and admirpublic. Fortunately M.'s widow was ed as a composer, as a man, and as a able to find out the original and much companion.

CORNUCOPIA.

DOM RAPHAEL.

From the New Monthly Magazine.

ces of the insatiable rapacity of the Be

WHEN the French under the com- douins is one related to him by the son

mand of Buonaparte landed in E- of one of the principal merchants of Cairo. gypt, Dom Raphael, who is a native of The father determined, though at an adSyria,officiated as minister to the christians vanced age, to perform a pilgrimage to at Cairo. The French employed him as Mecca, and according to the practice of their interpreter; in this quality he ac- the Mahometan merchants to unite with companied their army in Egypt, and at it a commercial speculation. He accordlength embarked with it for France, ingly loaded a great number of camels where he was in the sequel appointed with his only son, his wives, relations, Professor of the Arabic language at Pa- and slaves. The pilgrims in general join ris. This situation he not long since the grand caravan, but the train of the resigned he is now in the pay of Sir merchant of Cairo was so numerous as Sidney Smith, and is probably engaged to form a caravan of itself, and it therefor the service of the Antipiratic Institu- fore travelled alone at some distance from tion, over which that officer presides. the other. In the midst of the desert From the manuscripts of Dom Raphael, their water failed; for the skins which a M. Mayeux has lately extracted that they had taken with them were dried up part which relates to the Bedouins,* and with the heat of the sun. The merchant published it in three handsome volumes offered the Arabs who served him as with 24 engravings. The first contains guides a very large sum of money to prothe enumeration and description of the cure bim water; for the Arabs are acdifferent Arabic tribes, and the two oth- quainted with all the springs in the desers are devoted to the religious and do- ert; but these hard-hearted rovers, foremestic customs of the Bedouins. This seeing that the caravan must soon perish work is not a mere compilation, though with thirst and become their prey, refused it contains many particulars that are al- the proffered reward, and witnessed unready known from the narratives of trav- moved the inexpressible sufferings which ellers still they are not borrowed from men and beasts endured from the exces the latter, but the whole seems to be the sive heat. The camels dropped under result of the personal observations and their burthens one after another: the experience of Dom Raphael. His French merchant himself perished; his son and style has in many places quite the orien- the women with great difficulty joined tal stamp. He is intimately acquainted the caravan of pilgrims, with the loss of with the Arabic tribes in Syria and their all their wealth, which, as may easily be singular customs. Of Seetzen's travels conceived, was secured and shared by Dom Raphael makes no mention; most the Arabs. The young merchant had probably he never heard of him. By become one of the poorest of the pilgrims; combining the observations of these two but on his return home he had still onetravellers with those of the authors of the third of his father's property left him; great French work on Egypt, a tolerably with this he prosecuted his trade, and complete account of the Arabian tribes had again acquired considerable wealth might be produced. Among the instan- when the French made themselves masters of Cairo.

See Vol. 1. p. 291.

VOL. 2. Whimsical Duett-White Diplomas-Voltaire's "

From the Literary Gazette.

WHIMSICAL DUETT.

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perhaps a more curious fact, that the solemnization of the marriage ceremony only takes place on one day in the year.

SOUTH AMERICAN LIBERALITY.

A new engraving has recently appear ed in Paris in which the arts of music and design have with considerable effort been combined together. This The Narrative of a Journey in Braprint represents a Magic Rock and a zil, by Mr. Henry Koster, contains many Duett, entitled, The two Lovers, which curious observations on the civil and pois sung with an accompaniment for the litical state of that country. The govPiano. The music is written upon a ernment preserves the character which it single line which extends the whole formerly maintained at Lisbon. The length of the winding road upon the Minister, Mr. d'Aranjo, entertains exRock, along which the two Lovers have tensive plans of civilization, and is moreresolved to journey. The words for the over a friend to religious and political Lady read from the top to the bottom, tolerance. The most characteristic feaand those for the Gentleman from the ture in the internal administration of bottom to the top. The two singers Brazil, is the equality which prevails bewould therefore infallibly meet, were it tween the Whites and the Mulattos. not for a furious Dragon, which is sta- The laws and regulations concerning tioned in the middle of the Rock, for people of colour, are not only extremely the purpose of preventing their union. mild, compared with those which exist Having nothing better to do the Lovers in the other colonies; but custom, pubcontinue their journey, the one towards lic spirit, and the connivance of the govthe summit, the other towards the foot of ernment, enforce the strictest execution the Rock, from whence they recommence the game, which might be prolonged for a considerable time, if a thunder-bolt did not settle the business by destroying the Dragon. "Then the Lovers having met embrace each other with transport.' The Duett, it must be acknowledged does not end badly.

of these legislative arrangements. All people of colour, in easy circumstances, obtain without difficulty White diplomas, by which they are qualified to hold ecclesiastical and civil dignities. Mr. Koster saw a very dark mulatto, who was a Captain in Chief, that is to say, an officer of superior administration. He asked a As the music is written on a single Portugueze gentleman, how it happened line, it is necessary that the air should that a mulatto was permitted to fill so be arranged so that the beginning may high a situation. "Mr." replied serve for the end, and the end for the the latter, " was once a man of colour, but beginning. It may therefore be said to he is not so now; he has been bleached have neither beginning nor end, or what by a diploma. is much the same neither head nor tail. For the arrangement of this air a degree of labour must have been requisite, the very thought of which fatigues the imagination. The composer may be congratulated on having overcome so many difficulties; he has displayed in this romance as much patience and mechanical genius, as are usually employed in the construction of a Mill.

MATCH-MAKING.

How came you to imagine that a mulatto could be a Captain in Chief? I can assure you he is as white as either you or I." This system of equality between the two chief tribes of the inhabitants of Brazil, will no doubt tend to create a new nation of mixed blood.

ZADIG SAID TO BE A PLAGIARISM.

Extract from Jorgenson's Travels in France and Germany, lately published, The following anecdote of that extraThe system of Match-making in Eng- ordinary man, which came to my knowland has generally been considered rather ledge during my stay in Germany, is so as a private affair than a public occupa- little known in this country, that I send tion. In Finland, however, it is actual- it for insertion in the Literary Gazette. ly a profession, practised by one or two I was one day conversing with a German old women in every village. But it is gentleman, who is deeply skilled in eil

184

Duchess d'Angoulême-Dimond's "Castle of Taranto."

night.

[VOL.2 branches of literature, and had studied her a little pottage, which she eat and lay the French and English authors with down to rest. She ordered the servant great attention. Voltaire accidentally to enter her chamber at precisely three became the subject of conversation: I quarters past eleven on the same evening. mentioned, that the great Frenchman She was punctually obeyed. At midhad displayed a wonderful versatility of night she rose, but appeared to have had genius but nothing struck me so much no sleep; her eyes were red and swollen. as the variations of his style when writing One of her women was then in the apart on different topics-I mentioned Zadig ment, and she told her that she wished to as an instance; who would believe the remain alone until twelve o'clock next author of this small volume to be the "Permit me, then, to bring your same man that had written the History Royal Highness some refreshment," said of Charles XII. or the Letters on the the maid. "My sorrow is sufficient." English nation, if we were not well in (Here the unfortunate Princess was unaformed of the fact? The German, with- ble to repress her tears.)-" But Madout intending to detract in the least from ame will at least allow me to remain in Voltaire's reputation, informed me, that one of these closets ?"-" With all my the original Zadig was actually written heart, since you wish to do so; I feel as some centuries back by a Persian philos- I ought to do the value of your affec opher. A copy had found its way into tion."-" Madame's bed will want mak the East Indies, whence it was transmit- ing again."-"I do not intend to lie ted to England; where it lay without notice, till it accidentally fell into the hands of Voltaire; who published it as the production of his own fancy.

DUCHESS D'ANGouleme.

down." "Alone for four-and-twenty bours ?" I shall be with my virtuous father, with a tender mother, with my be loved brother, with an aunt the model of every virtue, and with all good FrenchOh! how short the time will ap pear! And" (Here sobs choked her utterance: for a moment she ap peared to be suffocated: a profound sigh relieved her: she suddenly became calin, and resumed her accustomed serenity.)

men.

The grief experienced by the Duchess d'Angouleme on the anniversaries of the death of her august parents, is universally known. She has lamented their unhappy fate on the banks of the Danube, the Dwina, the Thames and the Seine, "Now I am well again, very welland is still inconsolable. Noluit conso. I thank you-retire it is just twelve lari, quia non sunt-The following de- o'clock." Next night at the appointed tails of the distress of Madame de France hour, the faithful servant of Madame enon the 21st of January 1797, cannot fail tered her apartment.-Bring me," said to be read with interest. This august she, a little pottage such as I had last Princess was then at Vienna; and the night."-" But, Madame, you must have following account was published in the something more after twenty-four hours." -"I want nothing else, at present.... On the 20th of January, Madame de except a little rest. Madame de France France (Duchess d'Angouleme) retired had passed these twenty-four hours in to her bed-chamber at seven in the eve- meditating,reading, praying and weeping. ning, desired one of her servants to bring

Austrian Journals.

66

THE DRAMA.

From the Literary Gazette.

COVENT-GARDEN, MAY 1817.

to, under Aben Hamet an African

Ο N Tuesday last a new historical play, Admiral, who has landed, to attack the called the Conquest of Taranto or town. He is impelled by the double St. Clara's Eve, was performed. The motive of hostility to the Christians and first scene opens with a view of a Moorish to revenge the death of his wife, Azonda, body of troops on the shore of Taran- a Spanish captive, who had perished, in

NOL. 2.]

Dimond's new Play.-Dramatic Sketches.

185

one of bis skirmishes with the governor, country upon Rinaldo. This produces Alonzo de Corduba, some twenty years the best scene in the play, between him before. In the second scene, Orania and Valentio: in which the former unthe governor's daughter, makes a relig- suspectingly complains to the latter of ious offering at a shrine of the Vir- the horrid stigma unjustly cast upon him, gia; and Valentio, a young Taran- of having basely betrayed his country. tine nobleman, in love with her, over- The governor is afterwards saved from hears her praying for the safety of one, execution, by the tears and prayers of whom he supposes to be a favoured rival. his daughter Orania, and the exertions He makes love to her and is refused. of Rinaldo. Aben Hamet discovers that She goes out. The Moors enter and his wife Azonda was sister to Alonzo de seize him. At Aben Hamet's com- Corduba; that before her death she had mand, he bears a summons of surrender, been delivered of a son, and that Rinaldo He meets is his son. The innocence of the latter to Alonzo de Corduba there Rinaldo his suspected rival, a is made to appear. Valentio stabs himyoung man brought up by the gover- self on his treason being made known, nor and supposed to be a destitute and a peace is cemented by the marriage orphan of poor and unknown parentage. of Rinaldo and Orania. A second love Valentio meeting a refusal of Orania's affair is carried on between Isidore, hand from her father, determines to a companion of Rinaldo, and a young betray Taranto to the Moors on the female a companion of Orania. desperate hope of obtaining his mistress. Being sent back with a defiance to Aben Hamet, he proposes to admit the Moors

DRAMATIC SKETCH OF KEMBLE.

Alexander, and Coriolanus.

NDOW'D by Nature for supreme com

EN mand,

into the town, by a postern gate in a Written in 1796.---After seeing his Orestes, subterraneous passage: the firing of two guns from the platform to be the signal and the price of his treason, any object which he might choose to select from the general plunder. He afterwards, under the pretext of affording Rinaldo an opportunity of signalizing his valour, contrives to make that unsuspecting young man open the postern gate, at the appointed hour.

See KEMBLE comes, the Monarch of the stage. In Alexander, his majestic form, Uniting grace and strength, appears to join Apollo and great Hercules in one. His aspect is imperial like his port. Such as might suit the sculptar'd front of Jove. His ample forehead speaks exalted sense; Upon his brow the fate of empires hangs; The Moors The lightnings in his eyes are wont to play, And leap forth, with the thunder of his voice, rush in and after a brave defence To strike and wither armies; and to make Rinaldo is taken prisoner, but in admira- Cheap victory attend his flaming sword.--tion of his valour Aben Hamet himself But who can paint him in the Roman Chief, He "who like an eagle in a dove-cote, takes off his chains and restores his sword. Flutter'd the Volscians at Coriali." With a preposterous inconsistency, the governor, a renowned veteran, instead of I preparing to resist the attack of a vigilant and inveterate enemy, gives a grand entertainment in his palace. Just as the ladies are commencing a dance, the Moors break in,and amidst the discharges of fire arms, Alonzo de Corduba is taken prisoner. The conquest of Taranto completed, Aben Hamet gives Rinaldo his liberty and his signet for safe conduct, with leave to take with him any one These marks of person whom he liked. favour and the fact that the Moors had found admittance by the postern gate, fasten a charge of having betrayed his

2A

ATHENEUM. Vol. 2

As wrathful fires are hurl'd from Etna's brow.

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Fate on his helm, all arm'd in shining mail
saw him, singly, like a Lion chaf'd
By desperate Hunters, in his fury turn,---
His stature seem'd of more than human's ze
By rage enlarged.---Upon the Volscian Lord
He, downward, shot a mortal burning glance,
His temples, with his clenched hands,he struck,
Boy!"
And echo'd back the appellation
While, loudly storming o'er the armed field,
He strode, indignant, like the mighty Mars.--
But I do mock him, by this puling speech.
This sorry painting would---but cannot, paint!
As strong conceptions labor in the breast
Though language cannot give the fancy birth.-
He must be seen himself.---This shows him not;
But as a faint reflection shows the sun;
Or as a feeble breath a tempest makes ;
Or as a shallow rill, in some green mead,
Strid by a truant boy, would represent

The copious flood of the majestic Nile.

W. C. Lit. Gaz. July 1617.

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