card than the announcement that Henry Ward Beecher does the same thing. All this is a premium to notoriety, and no doubt swells the profits of successful authorship. Whether it adds to the reward of merit, or to the value of our periodical literature, is another question. We incline to the opinion that the preservation of the impersonal and anonymous character-the literary incognito observed by the great English organs, both of literary and political opinion-by Blackwood and the Saturday Review, equally with the London Times, leads to better results. fact, the very life-breath of the locomotive en- the Baltimore Oriole. The medallion upon the The advertisement that "John Allen writes for gine." title-page represents the eclectic idea, under the the New York Ledger" would have been a greater While Blackett's experiments were going on at guise of two female figures-one winnowing, the Wylam, Stephenson was anxiously investigating other gleaning-encircled by a garland of fruits the subject of the locomotive at Killingworth. He and grain. We do not know of another magazine, had succeeded, it has been noted, in applying the English or American, which makes a more taste surplus power of the pumping engines to drawing ful and appropriate appearance. In this change coals out of the mines from the deeper cuttings; of dress, the publishers, of The New Eclectic have and yet the problem of cheaper transportation for made a needful concession to the taste of the age, this commodity, from point to point above ground, which demands show in everything. The time has remained unsolved. Stephenson had invented passed when it could be said that "good wine needs upon some parts of the route, over which his coals no bush." The best vintage in the world only had to be hauled, inclined planes worked by grav- sells now-a-days by virtue of attractive labels and itation; but, as this method could only be applied assiduous puffing and advertising. The rule apat isolated points, the difficulty and expense of plies to literary wares as well, and the recognition transportation, by horse-power, for the most part, of this fact by publishers generally is shown by Putnam's contains, among other things more remained. In the years 1812 and '13, he had wit- the various styles and degrees of ornamentation or less interesting, a poem, "Among the Trees," by nessed the working of Blackett's engine on the and pictorial embellishment, meant to catch the Bryant; a heretofore unpublished historical fragtram-way past the door of the cottage at Wylam in eye and invite further examination, exhibited by ment by Fennimore Cooper on the "Battle of Plattswhich he was born, and he had also been present the covers of the scores of magazines spread out burgh Bay;" an article on "Steam-Travel in at the performance of one of Blenkinsop's ma- for sale upon the counters of the newsdealers. It Cities," of which we have made free use in the pachines. The difficulties under which both these may be observed that The New Eclectic's black per on "Underground Railways" in the present machines labored have already been noted. The and orange is no gayer, by-the-way, than the Ed- number of this journal; a pleasant sketch of Hans locomotive, indeed, needed for its perfection, what inburgh's dress of blue and buff, which we believe Christian Andersen, the Danish story-teller, and the stationary engine had found in James Watt. the great Review has worn from the date of its the usual interesting budget of editorial notes; This want it was George Stephenson's mission to first publication in the earlier part of the century. rather of literary gossip than of literary criticism. those on foreign literature being in the nature supply. In 1813 he induced the principal partners We congratulate our contemporary, therefore, of the Killingworth Colliery to furnish the means upon the exchange of its Quaker-like garb for a Harpers' Magazine is not heralded as a holiday for the construction of a locomotive. The first dress à la mode. The table of contents is also number. Its established character is preserved machine constructed by Stephenson was modeled more than usually varied-including, besides a without the introduction of changes or innovamainly upon that of Blenkinsop, but the power multitude of selections from current English and tions. An opening poem-"The Silent City at was communicated to the wheels supporting the American periodicals, a brief sketch of John Rus- Greenwood"-perhaps may suggest how, at the engine on the trrck, instead of to the cog-wheels kin, by Mr. William Hand Browne, designed to recurrence of each New Year, we should recall which acted on a cogged rail, independent of the accompany a portrait of the great English Art those who have gone upon that journey which four supporting wheels. The wheels of this last Critic and Essayist, which forms another new fea- leads to the "city, vast yet voiceless;" but the locomotive were all smooth, Stephenson being sat- ture in the January number. With the exception other papers seem to bear no special relation to the isfied by experiments that the weight of the engine of rather heavy doses of "Phineas Phinn" and "The season. "The Buffalo Range" takes the reader to was sufficient for the purpose of traction. This Woman's Kingdom," prompted, no doubt, by the the plains, and places him in the midst of the wild machine was placed on the Killingworth Railway Publishers' desire (shared by the public) to get rid hunt; "Paul du Chaillu again" is a fearful coilon the 25th of July, 1814. It was found to have of both as soon as possible-the selections generally ing and writhing of snake stories, hardly suited capacity for drawing eight loaded carriages, of 30 have the merit of brevity-which besides inviting for such as may drink too deeply of the wassail tons each, up an ascending gradient of 1 in 450, at reading, affords scope for greater variety. the rate of about four miles an hour. Though, in important particulars, this engine was a great im The holiday number of Lippincott's also sig cup; "South Coast Saunterings in England" is continued, and will, by both illustrations and letter-press, repay the reader; "Learning Common Sense" is a sensible essay upon a practical subject; My Old Woman and I" is-we will so style it-a poem, by John Brougham, only redeemed by an admirable illustration; "Chivalrous and SemiChivalrous Southrons" is a sensible and discrimi Washington; "The Bishops of Rome;" "My En emy's Daughter," and "Abbas Pacha of Egypt," conclude the number. Of course, the peculiar features of the Easy Chair, Drawer, Book Table and Record of Current Events are preserved. provement upon those which had preceded it, the nalises the entrance of that improving and very Blucher," as it was popularly called, proved to readable monthly upon the third volume and be a cumbrous and clumsy machine. It had no second year of its existence. In their prospectus springs; its machinery was huddled together and the Publishers announce a number of attractive hung entirely upon the boiler, and the motive features for the year 1869, and the names of a host power was communicated by means of a spur-gear, of American and European contributors. They nating paper, sustaining the Bureau-Major's repuwhich, with the other defects mentioned, caused have also adopted the practice of appending to the tation for fairness; "My Visit to Utopia" is eviits motion to become a succession of jerks-each different articles, as published, the names of the wri-dently written by a woman who has not yet caught cylinder alternately propelling or becoming pro- ters. Whether this particular feature is an improve the Woman's Rights' fever; "A Public Building" pelled by the other, as the pressure of the one upon ment, we think, is questionable, although it is the makes some apt criticisms upon the Capitol at the wheels became greater or less than the pressure common American practice. Even the Atlantic, of the other. When the teeth of the cog-wheels although it does not print its contributors' names at became at all worn, a rattling noise was produced the foot of their articles, or in its table of contents, during the traveling of the engine. Stephenson's contrives each month to let the public into the first attempt, moreover, did not answer the main secret of the authorship of the various papers. condition of the problem, which was to produce The result is, that contributions are solicited and transportation cheaper than that of horse-power. literary productions sell, not for what they are The Atlantic commences its twenty-third volAt the end of the year the first Killingworth en- worth, but for the sake of the popularity or noto-ume with the January number. Its first pages gine had not performed its work at a less cost than riety even which may attach to the name of the contain the opening chapters of a new serial the same could have been accomplished by horses. author. Thus-a trashy article by A, whom every-novel-"Malbone: an Oldport Romance," enough body knows, is worth to a New York or Boston of which is not given, however, to indicate its publisher infinitely more than a valuable contribu- character; "The Sunshine of the Gods," a poem tion by B, who has ten times the amount of brains by Bayard Taylor, is undoubtedly superior to and scholarship, but is unfortunately less known. most magazine poetry; "A Literary Gourmand" It doesn't matter from what source the popularity is a ragout compounded of the aphorisms of BrilJANUARY MAGAZINES. or notoriety in question springs; it is enough if it lat-Savarin, who, though musician, linguist, chemThe first place among the magazines of the New is "available," and serves to sell the magazine or ist, astronomer, littérateur and savant, devoted Year belongs by courtesy to our contemporary, book. If "the work of grace," as it was impu- all his knowledge to the great art of eating; "The The New Eclectic, which enters upon its fourth dently called, lately supposed to be in progress in Good-Natured Pendulum" is a story by Mr. Evervolume, with renewed evidences of improvement the dens and purlicus of Water street, New York, ett Hale, after his usual style, but a little watered; and prosperity, within and without. Externally, had not come to such a sudden and inglorious "The Flying Dutchman" are verses meant to be it has put on gayer and handsomer attire. Instead conclusion, we should probably have had "Scenes satirical, but rather common-place; "Co-Operative of the dull, unattractive gray covers under which from My Life," or "Autobiographical Sketches by Housekeeping" is a continuation of a series of pait has heretofore hid its literary light, it comes out the Wickedest Man in New York," published in pers which could only originate in a New England in a plumage of black and orange-the colors of some of the leading periodicals of the metropolis. I brain; "In the Teutoberger Forest" is the first of [CONTINUED NEXT WEEK.] Reviews. in speaking of Miss Hunt, whom we heard for the firs: Why are we obliged to refrain from this enthusiasm. time that same night? Miss Hunt has a good sopran voice of sufficient compass, which has been very muet. worked upon, but her school is not good; her ar ticulation is not clear, and she made many mistakes in matters of taste. The Andantino of the air from Tra a number of articles upon the by-ways of Europe; a magazine can be made "very cheap, and well migrate into his violin. That is music, where there is Whittier contributes a poetical thanksgiving, worthy of being retained on the tables or laced inspiration, and not a mere mechanical process. "After the Election," characteristic and radical; in the library of any family." Miss Braddon's "Consumption in America" is the commencement "Run to Earth" is commenced; some stories from of an investigation by Dr. Bowditch of the causes English magazines, and several original contribuof that disease and the means of its eradication; tions make up the table of contents. "The Mean Yankees at Home" is a very thorough account of the municipal and social organization of a New England town, by James Parton, with some very sensible reflections mixed with much of the usual Yankee glorification; "Dante," by Bryant; "On a Certain Condescension in Foreigners,' a breaking out of the English-phobia; "Gnadenhutten;" "Cinders from the Ashes," reminiscences The Lady's Friend.-This is a monthly mage-viata was not rendered with the expression it requires, zine of literature and fashion, with plates, patterns, and the shades of crescendo and diminuendo were and all the necessary directions to make up that not well observed before coming to the second part in fearful and wonderful result-a woman's wardrobe. F major "A quell'amor." In the cabaletta the scales A serial novel, "Roland Yorke," by Mrs. Henry Guglielmo, the lover, and the bird, was better sung.— were not sufficiently neat and pearled. The song of Wood, is commenced in this number, besides We must not forget to say that Miss Hunt trills rewhich are several stories of the usual character.markably well, and we think that with good instrueof school days, by Holmes; and "The Moral Sig-The poetry is both selected and original-the latter tion she will sing better. nificance of the Republican Triumph," by E. P. Whipple, are the concluding papers of a number by no means the better of the two. fully equal in character and peculiarities to its predecessors. They are followed by the usual quota of Reviews and Book Notices. Golden Hours is a new magazine for Boys and Girls, published by Hitchcock & Walden, Cincinnati, and Cariton & Lanahan, New York. It is illustrated, and the articles of the first number are numerous, and, from a cursory glance, both suitable and attractive. HERR SIPP-PRUME'S CONCERT-MISS Mr. Courlænder.played a Polonaise of Chopin, if we are not mistaken; we have already expressed our appreciation of his talent. Did we not know that he is engaged in teaching all day long, we should like to see a little more expression and warmth in his playing, but we are sure he cannot feel much inclined to play after a long day of lessons, and it was very kind and unselfish on his part to lend his co-operation to M. Prume. In the third of the Peabody Concerts, Miss Hunt sung again a Cavatina from Il Crociato. Her voice sounded better than at the Monumental Assembly Room, which is not adapted for music, but we regret not to be able to modify our opinion of her school of singing, though among the same mistakes of style and school, two or three phrases were better said and sung. The Crociato is an Opera written in the first style of Meyerbeer. This illustrious composer, more which did not suit his genius, to write Robert le Diable and Les Huguenots-operas which will make his name harmonist than melodist, soon abandoned a style last forever. Our Young Folks.-Fields, Osgood & Co.'s well known illustrated magazine for Boys and Girls, contains an unusual number of contributior.s. some of them by Aldrich, Miss Muloch, Mrs. H. The Galaxy shows both the result and the ne- B. Stowe, Mrs. Agassiz, &c. The illustrations are cessity of the transfer which has been made of its very good-and the whole appearance of the numcontrol to other hands. The present number is aber before us indicates decided enterprise and imvast improvement upon those of November and December. A notice of the "New York Journal-provement in the arrangements for its conduc during the coming year. ists" is an interesting paper; "The Liberal Triumvirate of England,' evidently by an Englishman, is a heavy but apparently intelligent analysis of contemporaneous English politics, particularly discussing the positions of Gladstone, Bright and Mill; "A Belt of Asteroids" touches a subject which might be expanded into a volume-those single poems, kinless and anonymous, which each succeeding generation accepts as true poetry and preserves; "The Lanman Scandal" is a story well planned and well written; "The Waking of the Cid" is a poem, imitative, and suggesting more than one familiar model; the following paper upon "Edwin Booth" is a very complete analysis Three concerts and four operas in two weeks are an of his great dramatic powers; "Our Crime Land abundance of riches to which we are not accustomed Excursion," by A. Oakey Hall, is a Bunyanised in this city-and an unusual task for our pen-still we experience of a philosophical Prosecuting Attor-shall endeavor to give an exact account of these musical entertainments, following the order in which ney; "English Grammar," by R. Grant White, is they were produced. a discussion of words and their uses; "The Flight of Diomed" is a translation from the Eighth Book of Homer's Iliad, by William Cullen Bryantgracefully done, with true poetic power and some license. The "Miscellany," which succeeds the regular magazine contributions, is made up of shorter articles, none the worse that they are brief and not pretentious. The other departments are filled with the usual contents, and the Supplement Prume's concert, on the contrary, drew a very fash-the Conservatory, in selecting the music to be percontains the opening chapters of "Susan Field-ionable audience at the Monumental Assembly formed at these concerts,is not influenced by any prejuing," a new novel by Mrs. Edwards, author of Rooms. We must add, however, to comfort Herr Sipp, dices against certain composers, and that he does not "Archie Lovell," which will be published serially during the year from the advanced MSS. of the author. The Riverside Magazine.-Hurd & Houghton's well known monthly for young people commences the year with renewed enterprise. The opening paper, "The Court Cards," is by Hans Christian Andersen; "The Battle of New Orleans: Our Uncle's Account of it," is from the pen of Paul II. Hayne-ever graceful in prose or poetry; "How Statues are Made," and a pleasant sketch of Andersen, the Danish story teller, show the variety and character of the contents. The other papers are all good-and what is better-suitable to the young. The illustrations, it is needless to say, to those who know the Riverside, are of a very high order. Every Month is the title of a new monthly pub. lished in New York by C. H. Jones & Co. The January is the initial number, and the purpose is announced by the publishers to demonstrate that HUNT-PEABODY INSTITUTE, THIRD The Orchestral part of the Concert was very good. The violins and violoncellos distinguished themselves, both in Mendelssohn's Symphony and in the Overture of William Tell. The flutes and the horns will have to improve-they are the weak part of the Orchestra. We should also recommend less enthusiasm on the part of the cymbals and the bass-drum; on many ce casions these instruments were so loud as to stifle the stringed instruments. Thalberg in “Die Kunst des Gesange auf dem Pianoforte," (the art of singing applied to the Pianoforte.) says: "Sich nicht zu übereilen und langsam zu spielen, ist Herr Sipp's concert came off first of all, at Knabe's schwerer als man glaubt." (It is much more difficult than Rooms. It was, said the programme, " A Classical and supposed not to hurry and to play slowly.) It is so Miscellaneous Concert." We shall await another op-true that the Orchestra played all the fast movements portunity to speak of Herr Sipp's playing. The night much better than the slow ones. The Pianissimos reon which this concert took place was so inclement quire more study, as the hall is never filled and is very that few could attend, and as it is always painful and sonorous. difficult for an artist to play for a small audience, we for having had the good taste not to overhurry the We must not forget to praise Mr. Southard desire only to express to him our regret at the circum- concluding portion of the Overture to William Tell, as stance. is too generally done. We hope that the Director of stickle for his own taste and preferences. These concerts, if we do not mistake Mr. Peabody's views, aim to diffuse a taste for music among all classes of people; for that purpose a great variety and diversity of musie must be played, as taste in every department is only formed by means of comparison. that the attraction of a German cotillon and of a sup- tated. M. Prume divides with Joachim, Ole Bull and Vieuxtemps the reputation of occupying the first rank among violinists. He is not superior to Joachim, but we prefer him to Vieuxtemps; not that his mechanical skill is superior, but because his bow sings with the greatest expression, while Vieuxtemps remains often cold, and fails to touch the heart. The selections made by M. Prume were far superior to those Herr Kopta played at Miss Kellogg's Concert, since they enabled him to exhibit as well the skill of his execution as the purity of his school, style and taste. When he plays, his whole soul seems to trans sitions must be played to allow the public, the supreme judge, to decide between them. Wagner's music, when first executed in France, proved the greatest failure, but Hairl, the leader of the orchestra of the Conservatory in Paris, and Pasdeloup, the intelligent Director of the Sunday Popular Concerts, with the greatest energy and perseverance, appealed again and again to the judgment of the public; and, to-day, the "Entr'actes des Maitres Chanteurs` of Wagner are encored every time they are executed at the Sunday Popular Concerts, Let us now speak of M. Maretzek's combined Italian and German troupe, The Sicilian Vespers is an opera written by Verdi upon a French libretto, expressly for the Grand Opera of Paris and for the prima donna Cruvelli. We do not think that a Director who has only at command a stage like that at the Concordia, an orchestra of some twenty-five musicians, and a chorus of about the same force, ought to attempt to represent the Sicilian Vespers. But, as it was announced, the public who pay, ought to have the Sicilian Vespers and not a parody of the Opera. M. Maretzek, who pays his artists, ought to require them to sing and to act more respectfully towards a public that is only too tolerant and kind. HAMMER AND ANVIL. A NOVEL, BY FRIEDRICH SPIELHAGEN. CHAPTER IV.-CONTINUED. who had been my comrade in many a merry frolic by land and water, and was no less fond of the rosy, soft-voiced Christel Möwe, I felt the liveliest sympathy with them; and, improbable though it may seem, their love, with its sorrows and its joys, and the possibility of its happy termination, lay at this moment nearer my heart than the thoughts But at the time, the haggard form with the lame of my own fortunes. My mind, however, refoot was still too far behind to cast the shade of curred to my own situation, when, as we reached a her terrors upon me; two other figures, however, slight elevation in the path, the forge, with the as I hastened with a quickened pace over the heath, light of the kitchen-fire shining through its low If we except Miss States and Antonucci, of whom appeared in sight, who had assuredly nothing window, appeared close at hand, and Klaus asked we shall speak later, the performance was a perfect spectral about them, for they were standing in if we should now turn back. He then for the first burlesque. M. Brignoli, who, like M'me Benoiton in a close embrace. They sprang apart, with a time learned that it was no mere evening stroll Sardou's comedy, is always spoken of and never to be cry of alarm from a female voice, as, turning that had brought me so far from the town across seen, made at last a second appearance in Baltimore. sharply around a hillock, I came directly upon the heath, and that my intention was to ask his But why did he come? He is undoubtedly a very them. The maiden caught up a great basket, father for shelter for a day at least, or perhaps for good singer when he sings, but except a few bars in the duet with Guido, and in the duet in the last act with which she had set upon the ground, having just several days. At the same time I briefly explained the Duchess Helene, which he rendered in the man-had other employment for her arms, and her com- to him the cause that compelled me to so singular ner of the very best school, he did not take the slight-panion gave an 'Ahem!' which was so loud and so a step. est pains. In the finale of the 2d act, he moved his confused that it could only have proceeded from a 1ips and did not utter a sound. Besides, and it is some- very innocent breast. hing which an actor could not do in Europe without being hissed off the stage, he omitted the greatest part of his rôle; for instance, the beginning of scene V, the air at the beginning of the 3d act, and the greatest part of the duet with Helene in the last act. Orlandini did better; instead of the grand scene and air at the beginning of the 2d act, he sung a short cavatina from Ernani! If we add that all the dances, a part of the chorus and all the action of the drama was suppressed, we respectfully inquire of Baltimoreans if they really imagine they have seen the Sicilian Vespers? Miss States has a very good voice, that requires a little more cultivation in the manner she takes her high notes. She played and sang her part most conscientiously, and so did Antonucci. The orchestra was very poor, and the chorus took evident pleasure in singing out of tune, especially at the end of the 1st act. As we do not enjoy the gift of ubiquity, we could not be at the same time at Ole Bull's Concert and at the Opera; we chose to go to the opera, Ole Bull's talent being so well known in Baltimore. 'Good evening,' I said; 'I trust-' Oh! I thought it was him!' stammered Chris- Klaus seemed greatly affected by what he heard; he grasped me by the hand, and taking me a little aside, asked in an agitated whisper if I had well considered what I was about? My father, he said, could not mean to deal so harshly with me, and would certainly forgive me if I returned at once. He himself would go and prepare the way, and let the storm spend its first wrath upon him. 'But, Klaus, old fellow,' I said, 'you are no better off than I. We are comrades in misery: your father has forbidden you his house, just as mine has done with me. What difference is there be "This difference,' Klaus answered, 'that I have done nothing to give my father the right to be angry with me, while you tell me yourself that you-don't take it hard of me—have been playing a very ugly trick.' Klaus, who saw that my resolution was taken, and who had always been accustomed to adapt himself to my plans, gave my hand another hearty grasp, and said-' Well, then, till to-morrow.' Christel said I had been very wicked; and so we separated, Klaus going back toward the town, and soon disappearing in the darkness, and Christel and I keeping on to the forge, where through the window the fire was now blazing brighter than before. Although the position in which Klaus and Christel evidently stood toward each other did not ex-tween us?' actly require an explanation, still I was somewhat astonished. As long as Klaus lived with his father, from the commencement of our friendship, I had never detected in the good fellow's heart anything more than brotherly affection for his pretty adopted sister; but then that was four years ago; I answered that, be that as it might, home I But why, after all, should the Directors or the Sing-Klaus was but sixteen when he went to work with could never go. What further I should do, I did ers take any pains, when the day after such performances the leading papers of this city (we except The locksmith Wangerow; and perhaps this tempora- not know: I would come on board the steamer toAmerican) sing always in the same key the very same ry separation had aroused the love which other-morrow and talk the matter over with him: it was song of praise; making no distinction whatever wise would have calmly slumbered on, and possi- very likely that I would need his assistance. between artists of merit and mediocrities. We have bly never awakened of itself. This was confirmed noticed that these same critics praised much more by what the lovers themselves told me, as we Miss Hunt and Miss Kellogg. Is that the way to form walked slowly on together toward the forge, often the public taste, and to encourage deserving artists? stopping for a minute at a time, as the recital We put the question to intelligent men. reached a point of particularly critical interest. His good heart was so full of what he had just One of these points-and indeed the most serious heard, that he was going off without bidding Chriswas the strongly and even violently expressed tel good-bye, had I not, laughing, called his attenaversion of old Pinnow from the engagement. tion to this highly reprehensible oversight. But Klaus did not say so, but from all that I gathered he did not get the kiss I had hoped for him: I surmised that it was not altogether impossible that the old man himself had cast an eye upon his pretty adopted daughter. At least I could see no other reasonable explanation of the fact that year by year, and day by day, he had grown more morose and rancorous toward Klaus, and at last, after much snarling and storming over his gadding about, and his shameful waste of time, had ended by forbidding him the house, without the I put other questions, to all of which I received good fellow-as he solemnly asseverated, and I Christel and I believed him-having ever given him the slightest but the briefest possible answers. cause of complaint. Therefore they-the lovers-had always been the best friends in the world, and were under the necessity of keeping their meetings I had ever known her as the brightest, merriest that music, it should be for an abuse of brass instru- secret, a proceeding not without considerable dif-creature. I could only suppose that she had been ments. The fine Terzetto, “Gut Sönnchen," in the first ficulties, as the old man was extraordinarily watch- seriously offended by my bit of sportiveness. As act, was very well rendered, and the prisoners' chorus ful and cunning. For instance, he would send the it was never my nature, unless when overcome deaf and dumb apprentice, Jacob, to the town to with passion, to wound the feelings of any one, Except a few slight imperfections, the ensemble of the opera was most gratifying to the lovers of mu- make the necessary purchases, although he was least of all a poor girl of whom I was really fond, sic. How proud' will be those deserving artists when certain to make some blunder or other; and to- so I did not for a moment hesitate to frankly ask they see in the morning papers that no distinction day he would not have sent Christel, had he not her pardon if I had offended her, saying that what whatever is drawn between their performance and I had done was with the best intention in the world, that of the Italian Troupe-each buttered with the namely, that her lover should not, through my fault, leave her without a good-bye kiss. Christel made me no answer, and I was about placing my arm around her trim waist, in order to give more emphasis to my petition for forgiveness, when the girl suddenly burst into tears, and in a frightened What a difference between the execution of the Sicilian Vespers and that of Fidelio! We said above what we thought of the Italian Company; we are too happy to acknowledge that the German singers, realizing the dignity of their art, and feeling what is due to the public, sung and played that beautiful opera of Beethoven in the most satisfactory manner. Mad. Rotter and Mad. Cellini are not stars, but they have good voices and have done their best. Hermann is perfect in his character of Gaoler. He is a conscientious artist, who studies his parts and understands them thoroughly. Habelmann sang well his air in the prison; he was also well made up. Mad. Cellini failed somewhat in the prison scene, but it is just to say that she had to struggle against a very loud ac companiment, and if any criticism can be made on is to be praised. same praise! We shall have to speak of the Barbiere and of Martha in our next paper, as The Statesman will this week make its appearance two days earlier on account of Christmas day, NEMO. heard that Klaus had some late work to do on ashore. As I had a sincere affection for the good Klaus, How does the old man come to be working so late?' I asked the girl. 'It just happens so,' she answered. tone said that I must not go with her to 'his' house; and that it was anyhow of no use, for 'he' would certainly give me no lodging there. CHAPTER V. of iron at my throat, when suddenly the laughter Where is the girl? You, Pinnow, take off your ceased. For shame, old man!' cried a sonorous leather apron and come in too.' voice, he has not deserved that of you;'-and a With these words he opened the low door on the This declaration and this warning would have pair of strong arms tore the smith from me. I right of the forge-fire, which led from the forge made most persons hesitate. The forge was in sprang to my feet and confronted my deliverer, into the living-room. I had often enough been in such a lonely place, the reputation of the old for so I must call him, for without his interference the latter, and indeed I knew the whole place smith was very far from being a good one, and II do not know what would have happened to me. well: the living-room was a moderately large was sufficiently versed in robber-stories to recall apartment, but only half as high from floor to ceilthe various romantic situations where the robber's ing as the forge, the sleeping-rooms lying above it, daughter warns the hero, who has lost his way, which were reached by a steep stair, or sort of ladagainst the remaining members of her estimable He was, as well as I could distinguish by the der, in a corner of the room, passing through a family, and at the same time reveals her love for faint light of the moon that was now partly ob- hole in the ceiling. There was also a door, reached him in a style equally discreet and intelligent. But scured by clouds, a man of tall stature and slender by two steps, which led into a small side-room, I was never subject to those attacks of timidity to frame; so alert in his movements that I took him where the smith's mother slept. This old woman, which imaginative persons are so liable; and be- to be young, or at least comparatively young, a prodigy of age, was now crouching in her easysides, I thought, if the old man is jealous of his until, at a sudden turn he made, the flickering chair in her usual corner, close to the stove, which son-and this I set down as certain-why may he glare of the fire through the open door fell upon was heated from without. In the middle of the not be so of me?-and in the third place, a little his face, and I saw that his features were deeply room stood a heavy oaken table, and on the table cur at this moment rushed, furiously barking, at furrowed, apparently with age. And as now, hold- the great basket which Christel had brought from my legs, and simultaneously appeared a stout ing my hand, he led me into the forge, which the town. Christel herself was apparently searchfigure at the open door of the forge, and Smith glowed with a strong light, he seemed to me to being for something in a closet at the farther end of Pinnow's familiar voice called out in his deep neither young nor old, or rather both at once. bass- Who is there?' 'A friend-George Hartwig,' I answered, tossing the little yelping brute with my foot into the bushes. Christel must have given the old man an intimation of what I wanted, as she pushed by him into the house, for he said at once, without moving from his post in the doorway, 'I can give you no lodging here: my house is not an inn.' 'I know that very well, Pinnow,' I answered, stepping up and offering my hand; 'but I thought you were my friend.' the room. 'Now, Christel,' said the stranger, taking a light to look into the basket, 'what have you brought? That looks inviting. But bestir yourself, for I am hungry as a wolf-and you too,' turning to meare you not? One is always hungry at your age. Come this way, to the window. Sit down.' It is true, the moment was not precisely favorable to physiognomical investigations. The stranger surveyed me, with large eyes that flashed uncannily out of the crumpled folds and wrinkles that surrounded them, from head to foot, and felt my shoulders and arms, as a jockey might examine a horse that has got over a distance in three minutes He made me sit on one of the two benches that that it takes other horses five to accomplish. Then stood in the recess of the window, seated himself turning on his heel, he burst into a peal of laugh- on the other, and continued in a somewhat lower ter, as the smith turned upon the deaf and dumb tone, with a glance at Christel, who was now, with apprentice Jacob, who all this time had been blow- a noiseless despatch, beginning to set the table:— ing the bellows, quite indifferent to what was going 'A pretty girl: rather too much of a blonde, The old man did not take my hand, but muttered forward, and gave him a push which spun him perhaps; she is a Hollander; but that is in keeping something that I did not catch. around like a top. here is not the old woman nodding there in her 'Bravo! Bravo!' cried the stranger, 'that was easy chair just like a picture by Terburg? Then well done! Easier handling him than the other-old Pinnow, with the face of a bull-dog and the eh, Pinnow?' figure of a seal, and Jacob with his carp's eyes!— / But I like it; I seldom fail, when I have been in the town without my carriage, as happens to-day, to look in here, and let old Pinnow set me over; especially as with a good wind I can get across in half an hour, while by the town-ferry it takes me a full hour, and then afterwards as much more before I reach my estate.' 'I shall not return home, you may be sure of that,' I continued. 'So if you do not mean that I shall lie here in the bushes, and join your dog in howling at the moon, you will let me in, and mix me a glass of grog-half-and-half, you know; and take a glass or two yourself: it will do you good, and put better thoughts in your head.' With these words I laid my hand on the shoulder of the inhospitable smith, and gave him a hearty shake, in token of my friendly feelings. 'The other may thank his stars that he gets off so easily,' growled the smith, as he drew a red-hot bar from the coals. 'I am ready to try it again, at any time, Pinnow,' I cried, and was delighted that the stranger, with an amused look, nodded his approbation, while with affected solemnity he cried :- For shame, young man, for shame! a poor old man! That's something to boast of, indeed!' The smith had seized his heavy forge-hammer, and was plying the glowing bar with furious strokes until the sparks flew in showers, and the windows He gave the smith a push, as the latter had just before done to his apprentice, but the old man stood more firmly than the young one. With a furious look, he raised his hammer-it seemed as if the next moment he would bring it down on the stranger's head. The stranger spoke in a courteous, engaging manner, which pleased me exceedingly; and while speaking, repeatedly stroked with his left hand his thick beard, which fell half-way down his breast, and from time to time glanced at a diamond ring on his finger. I began to feel a great respect for the strange gentleman, and was extremely curious to know who he was, but could not venture to ask him. What an abominable atmosphere in this room!' he suddenly exclaimed; enough to make one faint;'-and he was about opening the window at which we were sitting, but checking himself, he turned and said:-'To be sure! the old woman might take cold. Christel, can't you get the old lady to bed?' 'Would you attack a weak old man in his own house?" he exclaimed in an angry tone, and in my turn I felt on my shoulders two hands whose size and steely hardness were, for a weak old man,' quite remarkable. My blood, which the cooler night air had by no means yet lowered to the de-rattled in the frames. sirable temperature, needed but little provocation; The stranger stopped his ears. 'For heaven's and besides, here was too favorable an opportunity sake, man,' he cried, 'stop that infamous noise! to put to the proof my much-admired strength; Who in the devil's name can stand it, do you so I seized my antagonist, jerked him at a single think? Do you suppose that I have your plebeian effort from the threshold, and hurled him a couple ears? Stop, I say, or of paces to one side. I had not the slightest design of forcing an entrance into his house; but the smith, who feared that this was my intention, and was resolved to prevent it at all hazards, threw himself upon me with such fury, that I was obliged in self-defence to exert my whole strength. I had had many a hard tussle in my time, and had always come off victorious; but never before had I been so equally matched as now. Perhaps it was from some small remains of regard for the old man, who now assaulted me, in sailor fashion, with heavy blows of his fist, that I refrained from repaying him in the same coin, but endeavored to grapple with him. At last I felt that I had him in my power: seizing a lower hold, I raised him from 'Excuse me,' I said, 'I have not the least idea of the ground, and the next moment he would have thrusting my company upon you: I would not measured his length upon the sand, when a peal of have set my foot in the house, had not-——' laughter resounded close at hand. Startled, I lost 'Now he's beginning again,' exclaimed the my hold, and my antagonist no sooner felt himself stranger, with a laugh of half vexation; 'will you 'Well done, young man,' said my new acquaintfree, than he rushed upon me again. Unprepared ever come to your senses, you two? What I want ance, as I came back to him; we must always be for this new attack, I lost my balance, stumbled is peace and quiet, and above all, some supper; polite to ladies. And now we will open the winand fell, my antagonist above me. I felt his hands and you shall keep me company. Hallo! Christel!dow.' 'Have you gone mad?' said the stranger, casting Yes, sir; directly,' said Christel, who had just finished setting the table, and going up to the old woman, screamed in her ear, Grandmother, you must go to bed!' The old woman received this intimation with evident disfavor, for she shook her head energetically, but at last allowed herself to be raised from her crouching position, and tottered from the room, leaning on Christel's arm. When Christel reached the steps that led to the side room, she looked round; I sprang to her assistance, and carried the old lady up the steps, while Christel opened the door, through which she then disappeared with her charge. He did so, and the night air rushed in. It had my help at the right moment, and now you have the little shed close to the beach, by which Pingrown darker; the moon was hidden behind a entertained me with food and drink. You are now's boat was usually drawn up on the sand. heavy mass of cloud that was rolling up from the welcome to laugh as much as you please, but I, They disappeared in the shadow of the shed: then west; from the sea, which was but a few paces for my part, will not stay to listen to it. Fare- I heard a chain rattle, and a grating on the sand; distant, came a hollow roaring and plashing of the well!' they were launching the boat. All was then still: waves breaking on the beach; a few drops of rain I looked round for my cap; then, remembering the only sounds audible were the stronger roaring fell upon my face. that I had none, strode to the door, when the of the sea, mingled with the rush of the wind in stranger, who, in the meantime, had also risen the leaves of the old oak, which threw its halffrom his seat, hastened after me, caught me by the decayed boughs over the forge. arm, and in the grave but kindly tone that had previously so charmed me, said: The stranger looked out intently at the weather. 'We must be off presently,' I heard him say to himself. Then turning to me: 'But now we will have some supper: I am almost dying of hunger. If Pinnow prefers grumbling to eating, let him consult his taste. Come.' 'Young man, I entreat your pardon. And now come back and take your seat again: I offer you the word of a nobleman that I will respect your feelings, even if your expres ion of them takes a I heard a rustling in the room, and turned quickly round. It was Christel; she stood behind me, looking with an intent gaze, as I had just done, through the window into the darkness. 'Well, Christel!' I said. She placed her finger on her lips, and whispered, 'Hush!' then beckoned me from the window. His dark eyes gleamed, and there were twitch-Surprised rather than alarmed, I followed her. surrounded 'You are jesting with me,' I said. What is the matter, Christel?' 'Don't go with them, whatever you do. And go away from here at once. You cannot stay here.' But, Christel, why not? And who is the gen tleman?' He took his sent at the table, inviting me by a gesture to place myself beside him. I had, during the day, eaten far less than I had drunk, and my somewhat singular form.' robust frame, which had long since overcome the effects of my intoxication, now imperatively de-ings in the maze of wrinkles that manded sustenance. So I very willingly complied them. with the invitation of my entertainer, and indeed the contents of the basket which Christel had now 'I am not,' he replied, 'upon the word of a unpacked, were of a nature to tempt a far more fas-nobleman. On the contrary, you please me extidious palate than mine. There were caviare, tremely, and I was several times on the point of smoked salmon, ham, fresh sausage, pickles; nor interrupting your story to ask a favor of you. was a supply of wine wanting. Two bottles of Come and stay awhile with me. Whether you are Bordeaux, with the label of a choice vintage, stood reconciled with your father, as I hope, or if the upon the table, and out of the basket peeped the breach be past closing, as you believe, at all events 'Why? What will they do to me, Christel?' silvery neck of a bottle of Champagne. you must first have a roof over your head; and 'Do? They will do nothing to you. But do not you cannot possibly stay here, where you are evi-go with them.' dently not wanted. As I said, I will feel it a favor A noise was heard outside: Christel turned if you will accept my invitation. I cannot offer away and began clearing the table, while the you much, but-there is my hand! Good! now voices of the two who were returning from the we will pledge good fellowship in champagne.' beach, came nearer and nearer. 'Quite a neat display,' said the stranger, filling both our glasses, helping himself first from one dish and then from another, and inviting me to follow his example, while chatting at intervals in his pleasant fashion. Without his questioning me directly, we had somehow come to speak of my affairs; and, unsuspicious and communicative as I was, before the first bottle was emptied I had given him a pretty fair account of my neither long nor eventful life. The occurrences of the past day, so momentous for me, occupied rather more time in the recital. In the ardor of my narration, I had, without observing it, filled and drunk several glasses of wine; the weight that had lain upon my spirits had disappeared; my old cheerful humor returned, all the more as this meeting with the mysterious stranger under such singular circumstances, gave my imagination room for the wildest conjectures. I described our flight from the school, I mimicked Professor Lederer's voice and manner, I threw all my powers of satire into my sketch of the Commerzienrath, and I fear that I smote the table with my fist when I came to speak of Arthur's shameful ingratitude, and the outrageous partiality of the Steuerrath. But here my talkative tongue was checked; the melancholy dimness of my father's study spread a gloom over my spirits; I fell into a tragic tone, as I swore that though I should have to go on a pilgrimage to the North Cape, barefoot, as I was already barcheaded, and beg my bread from door to door-or, as begging was not my forte, should I have to take to the road-I would nevermore set foot in my father's house again, after he had once driven me from it. That what I was in duty bound to bear from a parent had here reached its limits; that nature's bond was cancelled, and that my resolution was as firmly fixed as the stars in the sky, and if any one chose to ridicule it, he did it at his peril. 'I must not tell you; I must not speak his name. If you go with them, you will learn it soon enough; but do not go !' I had already forgiven my mysterious but amia- I do not know what another would have done in 'Everything in order?' Besides and this circumstance is, perhaps, the real key to my conduct that evening-the stranger, whoever he might be, with his partly serious and partly jocose, half-sympathetic and half-mocking language, had somehow established a mysterious influence over me. In later years, when I heard the legend of the Piper of Hameln, whom the children were irresistibly compelled to follow, I at once recalled this night and the stranger. He now appeared at the door, dressed in a coarse 'Except the anchor, which you would not let me wide sailors' jacket, and wearing a low-crowned finish.' 'We can do without it.' 'Not well.' The stranger stood for a few moments in thought; his handsome face seemed suddenly to have grown twenty years older; he stroked his beard, and I noticed that he was observing me from the corner of his eye. He then caught the smith by the arm and led him out of the door, which he closed behind him. Outside the door I heard them talking, but could make out nothing, for the stranger spoke With these words I sprang from the table, and in a subdued voice, and the smith's grumbling set down the glass from which I had been drink-speech was at all times difficult to understand; ing, so violently, that it shivered to pieces. For presently, however, the dialogue grew louder, the stranger, whose evident enjoyment of my and, as it seemed, more and more vehement, espestory had at times encouraged me, and at others cially on the part of the smith. embarrassed, when I came to my peroration, which was delivered with extreme pathos, burst into a paroxysm of laughter which seemed as if it would never end. 'You have been kind to me,' I exclaimed; 'true, I think I could have held my own without your assistance; but no matter for that-you came to 'I will have it so!' cried the stranger. And my affair as well.' The voices sank again, and presently I heard the outer door creak. They had left the forge; I stepped to the open window and saw them go to tarpaulin hat in place of his cloth cap. Pinnow opened a press in the wall, and produced a similar outfit for me, which the stranger made me put on. It is cold outside,' he remarked, and your present dress will be but little protection to you, though I trust our passage will be a short one. So: now you are equipped capitally: now let us be off.' The smith had stepped to Christel and whispered her a few words, to which she made no reply. She had turned her back upon me since the men had entered, and did not once turn her head as I bade her good-night. 'Come on,' said the stranger. We went through the forge, where the fire had now burnt down, and stepped out into the windy night. After proceeding a few steps, I turned my head: the light in the living-room was extinguished; the house lay dark in the darkness, and the wind roared and moaned in the dry branches of the old oak. The noise of the sea had increased: the wind had freshened to a stiff brecze: the moon had set; |