At this summons, the two friends hastened into the parlour, and taking his seat once more at the piano, Hoffman recommenced playing, while, at his bidding, Ebba exerted herself to please in the vocal department; and such was her success that she was often interrupted by the expressions of delight and admiration which burst from the great musician and the illustrious author. 66 "Ah!" exclaimed Jean Paul, as he clasped his hands in ecstacy together, never have I heard such sounds from any human voice! She is surely an angel and not a mortal!" while Weber, on his part, advanced towards her, and remarked, with that melancholy smile which was so peculiar to him, "Lady, you sing admirably!" and as Ebba turned timidly from one to the other, Hoffman cried out, "A great singer! yes, she will be the first in Germany. Three months practice, and you shall make your public début, child. Weber shall be your singing-master, and I will teach you declamation." "And what do you anticipate?" asked Stina, in a tone of doubtful inquiry. "What do I anticipate? Why then, my old friend, come fortune and glory. Ah, I see you do not yet comprehend; but the delight of the public and the gold of the stage-director will soon make matters clear." "I will write a short opera expressly for her," said Jean Paul, animatedly. "And I will compose the music for it," added Weber, modestly. "What subject will you choose?" inquired the energetic Hoffman. "What think you of Oberon for this Titania?" whispered the poet. "Capital!" rejoined his friend. (Neighbours are blessings.) Notwithstanding the brilliant hopes with which Hoffman encouraged the talented orphan, she still, by Stina's good counsel, continued in the obscure hotel where they had first chosen their abode, and where one small chamber, with a smaller anteroom, served for their accommodation. A fine piano occupied nearly half its space, and here, shut out from the bustle of the world, Ebba gave her whole time to her particular studies, without giving access to any visitors except Hoffman, who gave her lessons at his own house, and therefore came but occasionally, and Weber, who, notwithstanding his weak state of health, appeared every day, so anxious was he that she should make her début at an early period; and possessing a decided passion for music, along with the highest natural gifts, Ebba was little dependant on the assistance of art, but at the end of two months was quite ready to appear on the stage, as her mother's letter advised, although, owing to Weber's ill health, the "Oberon" was not ready for her début as first proposed. One evening, as Ebba and her nurse returned from a short walk, they met a stranger on the common staircase, who ascended with them to the highest story, and entered the apartment exactly opposite their own. Stina had before observed the lady, as she left her room every morning at early dawn, and returned by breakfast time with a bundle of what seemed to be needlework, till, interested by her apparent destitution, she made some kind advances, and so won on the stranger's confidence that she at length asked whether they wished to give out work, offering her own services for its performance. "It matters not what return you make me," said she, "for I am very poor; and if you cannot afford money, I will take food instead." Stina's warm heart was deeply moved by her modest request, and she immediately introduced her to her young mistress, who, attracted by her apparent good breeding, invited her to remain to breakfast, and so sought to amuse and interest her mind, that for a brief space she seemed to forget her secret sorrows. The lady was about thirty years of age, and although dreadfully disfigured by small-pox, her face still wore the remnants of former beauty, while her conversation, although carried on in the German language, revealed a soft Italian accent. Her manners showed education and an acquaintance with the world, and it was easy to perceive that poverty had not affected the active mind along with the emaciated body. "Now, pray, come dine with us to-day," pleaded Ebba, as she rose to depart; "we sit down exactly at six, and you must not disappoint us by a refusal." Affected by the maiden's gentle goodness, the lady took Ebba's hand in both of hers, and sought to give expression to her gratitude; but with a hearty embrace, Ebba exclaimed-"Ah, I know well what it is to be poor; but now that better days are in store for me, let us enjoy them together." "My good days are all gone," said her companion, sadly; "I have nothing more to hope for in this dark world;” and Theresa-for that was the stranger's name-smiled at first as she spoke, and then, as if overcome by some sudden emotion, withdrew to the window, while Ebba's young heart beat with sympathy and solicitude as she saw the big tears course one another down her pale cheeks. Such was Theresa's reserve, that it required constant solicitation and frequent invitations to draw her from the seclusion of her own chamber, and nought but Ebba's sweetness and delicacy of deportment could have won her entire confidence. Impatient for the maiden's début, the good Hoffman would not wait for Weber's promised composition, but searching among the published collection, he at length determined that the character of Zerlina, in Don Giovanni, would be exactly suited to the fair and pretty Swede; and he himself instructed her in her part of that splendid poem by Mozart-a part which she acquired in a few lessons. The next part regards costume," observed Hoffman, as they sat together one evening; "and as you are your own mantua-maker, I will furnish you with gold for the purchase of, the stuff, which you must cut out from the rough sketch which I will now prepare;" and taking his seat at the table, he called for pencil and paper, sketched Zerlina's dress in a few moments, designated the colours, placed six pieces of gold on the piano, and then with a "sure and be ready by the next Thursday," abruptly left the apartment. door, and inquired whether she would accompany her to prayers in the neighbouring chapel. Yes, dear Ebba, you shall have my most fervent supplications this day," she exclaimed, as she joined the maiden and the anxious Stina. "Well may I plead God's guidance on one who is about to enter on a fearful career, careless of its perils, unconscious of its disappointments. Nay, now, my child, do not regard my gloomy Ebba remained perfectly motionless, so bewil- words, for I am sick this morning," she added, dered was she by the conflicting emotions of as she marked the shade that passed over the joy and fear. Only two days, and her fate maiden's cheerful brow; and hastening down would be decided! What an agitating thought! the stairs, she accompanied them to the neighRenown and riches, or disgrace and poverty- bouring chapel, where, absorbed in her supfor so Hoffman had marked out the two ex-plications for the sake of the young orphan, the tremes. "And not even poverty with resig- kind-hearted Theresa was the last to rise from nation," thought she, "but that poverty which her kneeling position. my own efforts might have warded off." With her brow burning with fever, agitated and alarmed, she once more approached the piano with the intention of trying her part; but her nervous fingers absolutely refused to do their duty, and the keys hardly returned the least sound to her feeble touch. Just then Theresa entered the apartment. 66 'Ah, dear child," she exclaimed, "you must summon more courage and resolution if you hope to succeed. Once yield to fear, and everything is lost; but repress it now, and your heart will not probably fail in the hour of need. Come now, dear Ebba, be composed; I will play the piece, and you must sing it for me," she soothingly added, as, taking her seat at the piano, she touched the keys with such masterly execution, that Ebba cried out, delightedly "What an excellent musician you are! Why, dear lady, have you never offered to accompany me before?" "Because I am bound by a solemn vow never again to touch these keys for my own gratification, and in doing so now I only repay you in a small degree for the kindness which has shed a gleam of sunshine over my dark and clouded pathway of existence. But away with explanations," she added, with apparent effort. Come, make haste to sing this part, which belongs to the Zerlina. I have often heard it from the lips of Donna Flores, in Naples, whose chef d'œuvre it was; and perhaps I can afford you some hints touching her manner of performing it.' Thanks to Theresa's good counsel and fine taste, Ebba made such improvement in its execution, that at Hoffman's next lesson he could not sufficiently express his delight at the success of his pupil. On her return home the following day, Stina found Theresa busily engaged in sewing on the Zerlina's dress; and when it was finished, nothing could exceed Ebba's childish delight as she stood before the mirror clad in her rich orange petticoat and black velvet corsages, while Theresa, overcome by some sudden. emotion, turned hastily away and sought to conceal her gushing tears. At length the momentous day arrived, and at an early hour Ebba softly tapped at her friend's On leaving the church, Ebba clung affectionately to her friend's arm, saying-" You must not leave me to-day, dear Theresa; you must even accompany me to the theatre this evening, and by your good presence cheer me on to success." I accompany you?" cried her friend, starting back, as if struck by some sudden terror; "I cannot witness your success. No-no; I will not go; you must not require such a sacrifice from me." And so saying she drew her arm from the clasp of the affectionate girl. Ebba burst into tears of disappointment, and, as if moved by her distress, Theresa suddenly approached, and murmured, after a moment's space-" Forgive me, dear child; beloved Ebba, forgive me. My resolution is taken, and I will not yield to any selfish suggestions. This day I have prayed for you with a fervour which I have not known for many years; now I feel that Heaven will grant me strength for the effort, and I promise to accompany you." Theresa kept her word, and actually accompanied Ebba to the theatre, where she not only dressed her in the costume of the Zerlina, but even followed her to the side scenes with encouragement and sympathy, till, when her young friend appeared on the stage, she could no longer repress her deep anxiety, but covered her face with her hand, and sank half fainting on her chair. Soon the enthusiastic plaudits of the audience, mingled with their shouts of congratulation, aroused her from her painful stupor, and she looked up to meet the embrace of the young and excited débutante, who left the stage in the moment of her complete success. Never had Dresden smiled on a more beautiful creature-never had it listened to a sweeter or more touching voice. The whole corps pressed around to offer their congratulation; Hoffman clasped her delightedly in his arms; Weber, with wet eyes, exclaimed, You have restored me to health: I am well again; I will immediately finish the Oberon;" while, carried away as by a sort of delicious frenzy, Jean Paul threw himself at her feet, and exclaimed, passionately, "Lady, your music carried me to the heaven from whence you came !" Many of the artists and distinguished citizens of Dresden hastened to do homage to the talented maiden, and Ebba might have been too much carried away by her success, if, just then, in the very moment of adulation and caresses, an icy hand had not clasped hers with a pressure as if of warning. Ebba turned round, and met the fixed gaze of Theresa, pale as was Bürger's Leonore, when borne away by her spectre bridegroom. "Beware, Ebba!" she whispered; "you are breathing the air of contagion; the cup of poison is at your very lip. Let your voice only fail to do its duty, and this crowd of admirers, who now worship you as an angel, will neglect, ay, totally desert you. Beloved child, I bid you beware!" And throwing her shawl around Ebba, she drew her into a private box, where sat the faithful Stina, almost overcome by the complete success of her beloved charge. 66 Joy-joy! dear Stina!" exclaimed the excited girl, as, throwing her arms around her nurse's neck, she sobbed aloud in her excess of happiness. Ah, my mother was quite right; I feel that she pointed out to me my true career." 66 66 Stina," interrupted Theresa, "watch over this dear girl in her hour of delirium. I charge you, as you value her soul's health, watch over her, for her hour of peril is at hand." friend Hoffman, and her elegant manners and cultivated mind soon won an equal share of admiration with her dramatic talents and her exquisite voice. In the midst of her good fortune, Ebba still remained true to the poor Theresa, and even besought her to occupy a chamber in her hotel; an offer, however, which the Italian resolutely refused. She chose those early morning hours, when she might meet the young Swede uninterrupted by any other visitors; she gave the most judicious advice with regard to the parts of the drama in which she was to appear; and, above all, she sought, by adroit questionings and tender watchfulness, to discover whether Ebba's warm heart still remained untouched amid the love and adulation which were lavished upon her from every side. One morning, when Theresa, in her friendly way, entered without rapping, she found Ebba busily engaged in reading a note, which she blushingly thrust into her bosom, as her friend entered. "Ebba," said Theresa, with deep solemnity, as she retained the girl's trembling hand in hers, "remember, your mother may now be watching you from her celestial home; even now she may be conscious of the need you have of her protection." "My secrets are my own," said the maiden, petulantly. "What right have you to interfere?" Just then, Ebba was summoned again for her part on the stage, and once more the theatre rang with the deafening applause of the delighted public, till, when the curtain fell and she hastened to resume her simple dress, what was her surprise to find a handsome cashmere in its "Poor child, I am not angry with you," restead, while at the door stood the happy Hoff-plied Theresa, soothingly; "I have indeed no man, ready to conduct her to a handsome car-right to inquire into your heart's secrets; but riage. As he led her along the gallery, he whis- for the sake of your dead parents, for your pered kindly in her ear, "Dear child, I will see talents and your fame, do not hide from me, you safe to your proper home-for the poor your best friend, this agitating, perhaps fatal attic is no longer yours!" and before she could secret." prefer any remonstrance, the carriage rolled rapidly over the paved streets, and stopping at a handsome hotel, her friend sprang out and led the astonished Ebba into a large and splendid apartment. 66 "Where am I?" she hurriedly inquired. Say, dear friend, where am I?” "In your own house, dear prima donna," answered the smiling Hoffman, as he rubbed his hands in exultation together. "It cannot be !" was her doubting reply. "Yes, indeed, it is yours entirely; and I have but one request to make in return." "What is that?" "That you will place your signature at the bottom of this three years' engagement to the theatre, an engagement which insures you the handsome sum of one thousand ducats per month!" and then, with a hearty embrace, the good old man bid adieu to the happy Ebba, who spent the whole night in trying to realize her exceeding good fortune. The fame of the prima donna increased with every day; visitors from all parts of Germany hastened to Dresden to listen to her delicious voice; and, perfectly at ease in her new position, the talented maiden made the most generous use of her fortune and her fame. The élite of Dresden daily sought an introduction through her Half unwillingly, and yet resolutely, the blushing Ebba placed the note in her friend's extended hand, but hardly had Theresa observed the signature, when growing deadly pale, she feebly exclaimed, "God has sent me to save you from great peril! Ebba, the Count de Karu requests an interview; he waits you in the drawing room. Invite him here immediately;" and hastily adding the single word "Come," at the bottom of the note, she rang the bell, gave it to the servant who just then entered, and then threw herself in a chair, while Ebba regarded her with looks of speechless surprise. My God, grant me strength to bear this last trial which thou hast pleased to lay upon me," murmured the unhappy woman, as, suddenly springing up, she paced hurriedly up and down the spacious chamber. "And yet, how willingly will I suffer if this child can but be rescued from the dark fate which, during so many years, has bowed me to the very earth. Ebba, dear Ebba, this man deceives you when he speaks of love; when he promises you happiness, he does but utter a foul falsehood. Like one of those evil spirits whom you read of in your old Swedish chronicles, he will make prey of your beauty, your talents, and your glory. Ebba, dear Ebba, heaven has indeed marked me out for your deliverer." While she was yet speaking, the Count de Karu entered the apartment, and at the first glance at Theresa his smiling face became clouded, and he drew back with an expression of alarm. But placing herself between him and the half open door, Theresa turned to Ebba, exclaiming, "See how he grows pale before me the strong man before the feeble woman! But well may he tremble, when he recalls his past career. Ten years ago, and Vienna echoed with the praises of a young songstress as fair, as talented, as innocent as you are. Ebba, yonder man breathed love into her ear, and she willingly believed his honeyed words. For his sake she gave up all-her fame, her talents, and her beauty-all, all became his. Suddenly he sickened with that most horrible of all diseases, small-pox, and, regardless of her danger, she watched beside his bed of suffering; day after day she soothed his fretfulness into patience, and night after night she administered the medicines by which alone his life was saved. But alas! the contagion soon seized upon her as its prey; and, extended upon a bed of torture, she lay through long weeks, without a friend to comfort her; ay, not even yonder man, for whose unworthy sake she had overcome her feelings of natural dread and aversion. At length she recovered, but with the entire loss of her beauty and her voice, for both had been destroyed by that terrible disease. Worse than all, he openly declared his indifference; he even taunted her with her change of features, her despair, and her destitution, till, overcome by shame, disappointment, misery, hunger, she had almost learned to hate her kind, when one heart proffered her its sympathy, and won her to her better self ere the sacrifice was complete. That heart was yours, dear Ebba; that wretched victim was myself!" Ebba sobbed aloud with grief and sympathy, while the brow-beaten count sought to effect a retreat. "And now begone, sir," said Theresa, in lofty tones. "For this once you have been baffled. Away-begone!" and cowering with confusion and indignation, the wily count obeyed her command, and retired from the apartment. "Dear child," exclaimed Theresa, as she pressed the sobbing girl to her bosom, " give your affections to art alone. In it you will find a partner who will require your heart, your time, your strength, your every exertion, while he places on your brow his glorious and undying crown. Betray him once, and you lose for ever your place on his starry throne. Ebba, will not my fall make you watchful over your own! Will you not promise to watch sedulously over your too susceptible heart?" brilliancy of her youth and beauty, and is still the enthusiastic boast of Germany. When interrogated concerning the secret of her power, and the coldness which she displays to her crowds of admirers, her constant answer is, "Art is a jealous partner, and I have pledged myself to be faithful to him in all things!" ODE. (To a Captive Eagle.) BY GEORGE J. O. ALLMAN. With a sad heart, and full, I watch thy captive, lone nobility, Than yield thy freedom to man's tyranny? Is this thy lowly doom? Is this mock branch thy mighty pedestal? Thou who, when soaring high, Oh! could I make thee free, Of valley and of hill How soon thy home thou'dst seek, Heaven and its gates unlock, But, 'tis thy lowly doom To make this branch thy mighty pedestal. Thy kingdom left thee, battle-bird of Gaul! It seemed, indeed, as if a good Providence had but spared Theresa to be the deliverer of the Swedish maiden, for only a few weeks after Opinion is a monster, with ten thousand tongues this disclosure she closed her eyes on a world to tell its varied tales: and yet, after all is said, one which had long been to her nought but dark- true opinion only can there be concerning any mat ness, while Ebba-thanks to the guardian talis-ter; all the rest are mixed up, more or less, with base man which her friend had bequeathed her-yet alloy, and therefore counterfeit. preserves all the might of her talents, all the GOLDEN TREASURY OF LIFE. FRAGMENTS OF AN ANTEDILUVIAN DIARY. BY THE LATE MISS JEWSBURY. To-day I am a hundred years old. How blissful are the feelings of boyhood! My senses are acute as the tree with the shrinking leaf. My blood bounds through my veins, as the river pours through the valley-rejoicing in its strength. Life lies before me, like another plain of Shinar-vast, unoccupied, inviting: I will fill it with achievements and pleasures! In about sixty years it will be time for me to think of marrying; my kinswoman, Zillah, will, by that time, have emerged from girlhood; she already gives promise, I hear, of comeliness and discretion. Twenty years hence I will pay a visit to her father, that I may see how she grows; meanwhile, I will build a city, to receive her when she becomes my wife. Nearly three centuries have passed since my marriage. Can it be? It seems but yesterday since I sported like a young antelope round my father's tent; or, climbing the dark cedars, nestled like a bird among the thick boughsand now I am a man in authority, as well as in the prime of life. I lead out my trained servants to the fight, and sit head of the council, beneath the very tree where, as an infant, my mother laid me to sleep. Jazed, my youngest born, a lovely babe of thirty summers, is dead; but I have four goodly sons remaining. And my three daughters are fair as their mother, when I first met her in the Acacia grove, where now stands one of my city watch-towers. They are the pride of the plain, no less for their acquirements than their beautly. No damsel carries the pitcher from the fountain with the grace of Adah; none can dry the summer fruits like Azubah-and none can fashion a robe of skins with the skill of Milcah. When their cousin Mahaleel has seen another half century, he shall take the choice of the three. My eight hundredth birth-day! And now I feel the approach of age and infirmity. My beard is become white as the blossoms of the almond tree. I am constrained to use a staff when I journey; the stars look less bright than formerly; the flowers smell less odorous. I have laid Zillah in the tomb of the rock; Milcah is gone to the dwelling of Mahaleel; my sons my place at the council and in the fieldall is changed. The long future is become the short past. The earth is full of violence; the ancient and the honourable are sinking beneath the young and the vicious. The giants stalk through the length and breadth of the land, where once dwelt a quiet people-all is changed. The beasts of the field and the monsters of the take deep growl and press on us with unwonted fury; traditions, visions, and threatenings are abroad. What fearful doom hangs over this fair world, I know not; it is enough that I am leaving it: yet another five or eight score years, and the tale will be complete. But have I, in very deed, trod this earth nearly a thousand years? It is false; I am yet a boy. I have had a dream-a long, long, busy dream, of buying and selling; marrying and giving in marriage; of building and planting; feasting and warring; sorrowing and rejoicing; loving and hating: but it is false to call it a life. Go to-it has been a vision of the night; and now that I am awake, I will forget it. "Lamech, my son, how long is it since we planted the garden of oaks beside the river? Was it not yesterday?" "My father, dost thou sport? Those oaks cast a broad shadow when my sister carried me beneath them in her arms, and wove me chaplets of their leaves." "Thou art right, my son; and I am old. Lead me to thy mother's tomb, and there leave me to meditate. What am I the better for my past length of being?__ Where will be its records when I am gone? They are yonder-on all sides. Will those massy towers fall? Will those golden plains become desolate? Will the children that call me father,' forget? The seers utter dark sayings upon their harps, when they sing of the future; they say our descendants shall be men of dwindled stature; that the years of their lives shall be contracted to the span of our boyhood: but what is that future to me? I have listened to the tales of Paradise-nay, in the blue distance, I have seen the dark tops of its cedars. I have heard the solemn melodies of Jubal, when he sat on the sea shore, and the sound of the waves mingled with his harping. I have seen angels the visitants of men-I have seen an end of all perfection; what is the future to me?" A SONG FOR CHRISTMAS, "A Merry Christmas to you!" Bring hither the "Holly," with berries so red : |