Excerpt from Musical Sketches

The great artist, when, like Moses, he stands upon the mount and receives the eternal laws of art, must at once forget his inner life, with its joys and sorrows, and, ascending to heaven, leave the petty cares of earth and disappear into the void of space. Jean paul.

N autumn evening, foreshadowing winter, followed a cool, gloomy October day; misty forms hurried over the fields; an icy Wlnd arose and ruthlessly tore off the beautiful variegated leaves, that clung with languid strength upon their beloved trees, and scattered them under the feet of the wayfarers. An oppressive anxiety, or a dull sadness, hung over all nature - it was as though the voice of winter sounded from afar, and, whispering maliciously, suggested dreary days to come - long, dark nights, frost-pictures, and snowflakes. In the town, however, which lay coiled together in the midst of a large plain, it looked more cheerful: all the inhabitants, as though in mockery of the autumn, had retired into their warm houses and cottages; a friendly light - that sign of true comfort - poured forth from all the windows. It was about the year1732, and the city of which I speak was called Leipzig. It was surrounded by deep moats, high walls, and stately linden-trees, and looked defiant and well protected. The houses were mostly narrow and high, with odd, pointed balconies; here and there one could see a little tower upon the roofs; but few church-steeples were visible. A brilliant light shone from the organist 's dwell ing: it was attached to the venerable St. Thomas' school, and was situated not far from the state liest church in Leipzig. The sound of many merry voices was distinctly audible, for a very united family was assembled within.

At the heavy oaken table, that stood in the centre of a room which was adorned with large, dark cupboards and strangely shaped chairs, there sat a man, attired in a plain suit of black, with a flowing but somewhat dishevelled wig. His face was round and blooming; a serious mildness played about the corners of a firm mouth; his brow was wondrously beautiful and transparent, and the glance of his fiery black eyes possessed an indescribable power, a might from whose influence it was difficult to escape. One was forced to gaze ever and again Into those magical eyes; it seemed as if beautiful beings, not belonging to this earth, were mirrored there, and as if they compelled one to cast aside all worldliness and become better.

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