ENPages
gcls_courant_012 6
86 THE COURANT; A SOUTHERN LITERARY JOURNAL. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ half-a-dozen instances which we would dispose of in the same manner; but this author is more moderate. He has omitted several of the malignant fabrications (by whom fabricated we do not say) in Dr. Griswold's Memoir. We give this instance mainly to indicate the kind of material in our hands, which will be available at some future time. In reference to this, as one of the so-called facts of POE'S biographers, and the many among which it is stated, we merely quote: "Ab uno disce omnes." One statement disproved, affects the character of a writer--he is, to say the very least, careless; careless in collecting facts, if a collector; but false as a witness, if deposing in his own person. The fact is, that, as usual, a too credulous ear was given to the pitiable niaiseries of the garrulous Mrs. Grundy. He, she, or they, who have that weakness, are objects of compassion mainly--of contempt sometimes, however. Our anonymous Memoirist, farther intimates that all the personal difficultues and business misunderstandings, in which POE was a party, necessarily originated with him. POE had busines engagements with Graham, Godey, and Burton, of Philadelphia. These are three. At first, the broad announcement was made, that POE had quarrelled with all, and, therefore, the fault must be with him. Let us see. As to Graham, we commend to the ghost of Griswold, a perusal of Graham's notorious Letter. As to Godey, that gentleman himself writes to the Knickerbocker, of January, 1857, that the story is untrue, and that POE'S conduct to him "was in all respects honorable, and unblameworhty." This is two out of three against the charge, and in acquittal of POE. As to Burton, it may be a pertinent inquiry, how far his employees enerally find his bearing towards them agreeable, or tolerable. We make no such inquiry, lest we do Mr. Burton an inadvertent wrong; but, when two out of three point towards the employers, the same process of logic that with the opposite assumption condemned POE, will now condemn Burton. But this is distasteful in the extreme to us, and impertinent, we take it, to the true issue. Let it pass. We object to our anonymous Memoirist's using such phrazes as, "as a matter of course he quarrelled with Graham," "the inevitable quarrel ensued," etc., etc., forestalling judgment, when his ostensible purpose is merely to make a statement of facts. His conclusions are too sweeping. In fine, we opine that POE was quite human himself, and moved among beings, at least, equally uncelestial. "But he lies in dust, And the stone is rolled Over his sepulchre dark and cold." Whatever be our impressions--false or true--charity becomes us passing well. The Blue and Gold edition before us, sells at seventy-five cents. J. W. D. ------------------------------------------ (COMMUNICATED.) EFFECTIVE OF THE PRUSSIAN FORCES. MR EDITOR.--I have had frequent occasion to notice gross errors, in regard to the effective of the Prussian Forces, and beg leave to submit, for the readers of your paper, a correct statement. The following I have extracted from the official report of the Minister of War, for the year 1854. The army has not decreased; on the contrary, it has been on the increase since that time. Respectfully, F. A. C. "Forty-five regiments of the line, of 3,000 men each, divided into three batallions, 135,000 men, (infantry of the guard not included;) 125,000 men of landwehr, second levy; 45,000 men of the complimentary batallions; 5,000 men of the batallions of chasseurs, reserved forces; cavalry, not compromising the guards, 30,400 men; cavalry of the landwehr, 30,400 men; complimentary cavalry, 7,700 men; field artillery, not including that of the guard, 9,000 men; horse artillery, 4,500 men; foot artillery of the landwehr, 9,000 men; cavalry, 4,500 men; nine detachments of pioneers and engineers, 4,500 men; landwehr, 4,500 men; field artillery, 8,000 men; landwehr, 8,000 men; pioneers and engineers of fortresses, 4,000 men. The fleet, which is not as yet entirely organized, counts 3,000 men. Wagon service, commissary department, munition service, hospitals, &c., 10,000 men. Total, 614,000 men and 1,584 cannon." ------------------------------------------ WHAT IS MEERCHAUM?--In the islands of Negropont and Samos, in the Archipelago, a peculiar variety of magnesite, or carbonate of magnesia, is found on the coast, beneath a thin stratum of earth. When first obtained, it resembles the foam or froth fo the sea, and hence it is termed meerchaum by the Germans, while the French style it ècume de mer. Analysis proves that it is composed of magnesia, carbonic acid, water and about four per cent, of silex. The idea so common in this country, that meerchaum is the foam of the sea, originated in the resemblance referred to, and also to the old fashion of calling meerchaum pipes "sea-foam pipes." When first dug from the earth, the magnesia is soft, and easily moulded into any shape that fancy may dictate. In this condition it is formed into pipes and segar holders, and exposed to the action of the air until it hardens. Before being boiled in wax or oil, it is nearly as light as pith, and full of minute pores, through which a pin or knife may be stuck, with no more damage than would result from the same operation performed on a fine sponge.-- The pipes are boiled in wax or oil, in order to give them a polish, as well as to render them more durable; but smoking soon burns out the oleaginous secretions and the "oil of smoke" sinks into the pores gradually, until the outer surface is colored.--N. Y. Sunday Mercury. ------------------------------------------ OUR EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENCE. LEIPZIG, June 10, 1859 You remember how Socrates discourses, in the Phædon, I believe, on the intimate connection existing between pleasure and pain, and suggests the propriety of a fable which should represent them by a sort of biform-animal. Plato has made him speak with great elegance and distinctness; but this is, perhaps the only feature of that portion of the discourse which is worthy of particular commendation--this relation bein as thoroughly understood, though not so gracefully expressed, by that member of the distinguished fraternity wearing "the dusky livery of a burning sun," (more famililarly known as n-----s,) who remarked that he loved to stump his toe, because it felt so good when it got well! I have experienced in an eminent degree the truth of this doctrine since the close of the Fair here. It oppressed me like a full dinner of cabbages--it weighed upon me in the early hours of night like an incubus--toward morning it rode me like a witch--and all day it bruised and stunned and stifled me. Jews and booths and old women thronged my dreams; brass pans and fruit-sellers agonized my waking hours; I seemed to breathe segar smoke, to drink out of pipes, to wipe my mouth greasy six-foot coats; I feared every cabman would turn somersaults on his horse's back; I avoided my friends, lest they should bid for my old clothes; I hid from my landlady, under apprehension that she would bawl out, "Presto--change," and transform me into a chimney-sweep. It was a greater affliction than Charles Lamb's poor relation; it bored me worse than a Scotchman did Dr. Johnson; it disgusted me more than a week marked with no murder does the Editor of the N. Y. Herald; it shocked me more than an uncontested election does a Sand-hillian; it tortured me more painfully than a day of silence does a woman! Would that I could describe it--the days of crowds and bustles and tumults and jewing and drumming--the nights of circuses and menageries and acrobatic performances; the braying and screeching of brass; the whining and shrieking of harps and fiddles, in the hands of she-Davids, to charm the evil spirits into a man; the dust, smoke, smells--oh! our language has no terms for it. But it is over; and my spirits rise with unwonted elasticity, convinced of nothing so thoroughly as the inestimable blessing of a prolonged affliction. I know not what to talk about; but I am attacked with a garrulity that will not be controlled--so if you don't hear the words of genius, you shall those of semiinsanity, which is the next thing to it. As I am not yet well acquainted with your readers, I trust they will indulge me in a few barometric remarks, which may finally suggest something. The Spring is but lately fairly in. A few venturesome leaves came long ago to herald her coming; but they suffered many a cold shower and frosty night before she deigned to settle down among us. Like a young girl, she came and retired and smiled and pouted long before she would bless us. Now she would and now she would not; to-day she tripped in all smiles and sunshine; to-morrow she turned away with frowns and frosty coldness; now she laughed in light merry winds, and now she wept in all the angry violence of girlhood. After thus annoying us for weeks, with alternate hopes and disappointments, she has finally yielded to our prayers and taken up her abode among us. Like the rest of her sex, she was long in clothing herself; this week she drew on a tender thread of yellowish green; the next she dotted it around with purple flowers; then she drew round them a broad skirt of dark verdure bordering on black; then she set it of with white and golden ornaments; but unlike them she is dressed for the day. For the last few days she has been at what most ladies attempt on coming out--kicking up a great dust! Even old Leipzig has become almost beautiful. The trees on the Promenade are out in all their fullness; the Park is supremely lovely, with its matted arches of boughs and its gravelled walks and sheets of water; almost every window is set with bright flowers, and the few gardens are covered with roses and violets, and many things unknown to me. The roses, however, are very like withered premature cabbages, evidently regarding krautdom as the chief end of vegetable existence. To me it is particularly pleasant to stroll on certain portions of the Promenade about noon. It is a hot walk thither; but to leave the sultry sunshine, and lounge through the deep shades, with cool winds sighing around and sweet birds hopping on every branch, -------- "filling the air with light And vagrant melodies," this makes one feel that there should have been happiness in Eden. You may imagine these Germans appreciate it. They dread the sun, and burrow in all sorts of cellars during the day; but after sunset all classes turn out to enjoy the sweet influences of the season. From the decrepit old man, who limps along with almost a smile upon his wrinkled face, to the little child that comes toddling down stairs, both feet to each step, and babling in the peculiar mealy voice of infancy--all seem inspired with a new life. And the youth! What says the Laureate Tennyson?
"In the Spring a fuller crimson comes upon the robin's breast; In the Spring the wanton lapwing gets himself another crest. In the Spring a livelier iris changes on the burnished dove, In the Spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love."
So here as elsewhere: I do not exaggerate when I say that hundreds throng the walks from sunset till midnight--paired off, male and female, arm in arm, whispering their rough affections in broad as and schs, and deep guttarals; soldiers gallanting it as they have done from Nero down; beardless youth lisping puppy hopes and fears; stout, patent beer-concealers; gurgling maudlin sentimentality; delicate females shivering bashful responses; hearty chambermaids sighing till the ground shakes; the very cooks crowding together in dark corners, and steaming forth what A. Fische Shelley well calls their "greasy loves." In the exuberance of their affection they even indulge in embraces, and you can frequently hear a distinct and palpable smack. Now we don't object to a little romance:
------- "We remember love ourselves In our sweet youth"--
remember, though too much, of the Toots and Watkins Tottle order ever to propose of having limped over several album pages in doleful iambics, and, on one or two special occasions, of having perpetrated, a dismal Trochaic Trimeter Hypermeter Catalectic! But this is rather "piling on the agony." The whole town seems to indulge in the luxury. Even in my retirement I am worried by a stout young Romeo of a cart-driver, who nightly offers up his devotions at the shrine of a robust Juliet of a house-maid, just across the street. They have frequent balcony scenes; she leaning out of a high parterre window to exchange gutturals with him on the ground. An occasional "wie," or a "jawohl," is about all I can catch; but, perhaps, they speak as true a poetry as the others. You have probably seen something of this kind on the battery in Charleston, or in New York; but they do not plunge into it there with the earnestness they do here. The fact of there being 3,000 or 4,000 soldiers here will account for a good deal of it. You may readily imagine that I have not become altogether domesticated here. At the same time that I find much to amuse me, even in every-day life, in addition to those unfailing sources of enjoyment which are open to me under every sky, I still find a good deal strange and difficult to become accustomed to. I find a greater resemblance to what I imagined England was formerly than anything else, and can trace to my satisfaction the Teutonic element of that nation. I have been almost invariably able to distinguish every other people from the German, except the English. The physique is very similar--both generally thick-set, not usually tall--broad heads and faces--(the German mouth has no rival in extension!)--complexion fair and clear in women, and in men who do not indulge largely in beer--hair generally light and blue eyes common, nor very bright--articulation broad and rather slow than otherwise --not quick or nervous in action, &c. Then the houses of any age, particularly in the country, are just as the pictures represent them of old in England, and like the few I saw there. The servant girls too, all carry water by those yokes suspended from the neck, which you see in old books, and sometimes in a play of English life. You must know I was but a few hours in England, (at Cowes,) and had no opportunity to see. These girls all draw water from the pumps on the street, and it looks very pretty to see them late in the evening, sometimes to the number of a dozen, trudging along with their buckets swinging from the yokes. They (the girls) are not all delicate, but very hearty and buxom, frequently verging on alligator roughness, but invariably flushed with the bloom of health and labor. I have not been greatly captivated with she-Germany anyhow: I find many beautiful complexions, and occasionally a sweet face; bu their vast mouths and oval chins, frequently doubled, and lack-lustre eyes, contrast badly with the intelligent eyes and delicate feautres of our girls. I doat on a double chin in an old lady; it smacks of rich coffee and juicy fried chicken; but it is not exactly romantic in the young. Then they have some titles which remind one of the England of long ago, e. g.: they write Herr (Mr.) before and wohlgeborren (well-born or gentleman) after your name--like the old Mr. ------- Gent. They like titles, these people. I find at hotels, where they speak English, that my name is always written Mr. -------, Esq., where only German the wohlgeborren above. There is a man opposite me at dinner, who has his napkin ring marked Hr. Prof. Dr. -----------. It is needless to say, the Herr Professor Doctor is as great a snob as ever bore a title--one of those who would be beasts were they not insects--vultures were they not owls--who is conscious of the existence of but one terrestrial, a small, nervous individual next him, bent on bringing himself forward in the world, brings his hair forward, brushes his sidewhiskers forward, and carries his nose on a level with the horizon. This anthropic perseverance is the most amusing feature in small men; nor is it strange; the world is above them, and they must look up to see it. The Germans are, I believe, of all nations, the most abject slaves to custom. Their clock-work regularity is no doubt highly commendable in business affairs, constancy and method being the main elements of mechanical success. But even in matters of recreation and amusement, they carry it to perfect Donkeyism. Fink, in "Debit and Credit," makes quite a rational contrast between the German and the American in this respect, although the author seems not to know how sensible ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
gcls_courant_012 7
THE COURANT; A SOUTHERN LITERARY JOURNAL. 87 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ it really is. A man will almost always eat at the same hour, at the same restaurant, at the same table, frequently in the same seat; so many glasses of beer does he drink; so many segars smoke; some wine always at dinner, &c., &c. Of course, there are exceptions; but all are, more or less, like the Dutchman who preferred the bad to the good road, because it was "the way his father went." Some of their customs are very nice, could one believe they meant anything by them; e. g.: they seldom or never bid you good night without a Schlafen Siewohl, (sleep well, or, may you sleep well.) They have also a way of wishing you Gute Mahlzeit, (nothing more nor less than a good digestion,) just before and after meals. Now this is not altogether unchristian, particularly to the afflicted with dyspepsia; but I should not like to say it to a young lady, it being suggestive of chyle and gastric juice and the duodenum, and such like, which the ladies will agree are not exactly the romantic portions of the human system. They mean little or nothing by it though, I suppose. Do you know Jermetimes wish we had terms of leave and salutation, which contained no wish for health and happiness? not that we might indicate indifference by such, so much as convey a meaning by those others in which the desire is expressed--that one need not say adieu when he means to the Devil with you, yet really commit you to the divine protection when he says so. You will have heard of the affairs at Montebello, Palæstro, &c., long ere this letter can reach you; so I need not attempt to give you the news. These Saxons are in a great fever in regard to the war. We have much drilling and marching about, soldiers frequently singing patriotic songs, but generally in a debilitated way. Their boasts, evident fears, surmises and conjectures, have become most wearisome to me. They have at least the sense to see that their best policy is to spring upon their monster enemy and strangle him at once. The initiative is very naturally left to Prussia, and it is believed that she will only exert herself in defence of the German soil. I am inclined to think that the Austrian government in Italy is not looked upon with any great favour in the Fatherland, and that even the loss of Lombardy and Milan would not be a matter of very general regret; but the fear of an invasion, as in the days of the first Napoleon, renders the people eager to prevent it by the most violent and unwarranted aggression. I believe it will finally end in the liberation of Italy, but whether through French conquest or foreign mediation, no one can say. Everything relating to the war is in great obscurity. Many think that it will involve the whole Continent; and not only that, but that we are on the eve of a great revolution that is to do its work in Germany. "Scire nefas quem finem," &c. While I write it is 8 1/2 o'clock; yet the sun has just set, and the beautiful soft twilight, peculiar to these latitudes, hangs all around. It does not become altogether dark till ten, or even later, and the solstice is still near a fortnight off. Schlafen Sie wohl! NOUS VERRONS. P. S.--I see that the Peter's Gate I wrote you of was refitted, as it says, "auspiciis Frederici Augusti, anno MDCCXXIII;" therefore, by Auust the "Delapidated Strong," whose maximnous Carlyle enumerates as in physical strength--sumptrosities, (perfectly "regardless of expense,)--b------ds (had 354 of them)--"lastly, he has baked the biggest Bannoch on record; cake with 5,000 eggs in it, and a tun of butter!" ------------------------------------------ CONCERT-PITCH. Very considerable inconvenience has long been felt in the musical world in consequence of the want of a uniform standard by which the pitch of musical instruments, whether used individually or in concert, might be regulated. The tendency in all the most celebrated orchestras to an increased elevation of pitch, has been attended by evils which affect the interests of music in no small degree. Composers, instrument makers, and artists are alike sufferers from this cause, and the great difference existing between the pitches (or diapasens, as they are called) of various countries, or of various musical establishments, is frequently a fertile source of embarrassment in musical transactions. With a view to remedy this acknowledged and growing evil, the French Government some time ago appointed a Commission of distinguished men, to discuss and collect information upon the whole question; and the result of their labours has lately appeared in the Moniteur, in the shape of a very elaborate and interesting Report. The Commission consisted of fourteen members, all of them eminent in the world of music or science, as the following enumeration of their names will show:--Pelletier (SecretaryGeneral in the Ministry of State) President, Halévy, Auber, Berlioz, Despretz (Professor of Physic at the Faculty of Science) Camille Doucet (Ministerial head of the Theatrical department), Lissajous (Professor of Physics at the Lycée St. Louis, and Member of the Council of the Society for the Encouraement of works of National Industry), General Mellinet (Superintendant of the Bands of the Army), Mayerbeer, Monnais (Imperial Commissary at the Lyrical Theatres and at the Conservatoire), Rossini, and Ambroise Thomas. Any opinions emanating from a body of men so well qualified to judge upon a subject of this nature, must necessarily be worthy of attention; and, we think, therefore, that a short summary of their Report may not be uninteresting to the musical portion of our readers. The Report commences by stating that it is an undoubted fact that the diapason, or pitch, has been steadily rising for at least a hundred years, and that it is now quite a whole tone higher than it was in the middle of the last century. As a proof of this, we have the internal evidence of the scores of Gluck, Monsigny, Grétry, and others, besides the more certain testimony of the organs of the time. Rousseau (Dictionnaire de la Musque, article Ton) states that the pitch of the opera in his time was lower than that of the chapel, and consequently more than a tone lower than that of the opera of the present day. The first question, then, that naturally presents itself for consideration is, what were the causes which have led to this result? Vocalists cannot fairly be charged with any participation in producing this change. They screamed, it seems, even in those days, without the facilities afforded to them by the operas of Signor Verdi. Besides, it is manifestly never for the interest of the singer that the diapason should be forced up--a circumstance which can only tend to increase his fatigue, and make inroads upon his voice, The interests, too, of composers are, for many reasons, opposed to an undue elevation of the pitch. They have, moreover, but little power of influencing an orchestra in this respect. The composer does not fix the diapason--he submits to it. It is, then, says the Report, to the instrumentalists and instrument makers that this result must be attributed. They are the persons who have evidently a joint interest in raising the diapason of the orchestra. Up to a certain point, the more elevated the pitch the greater the brilliancy and sonority of an instrument. The numerous inventions and improvements which have been effected in wind-instruments have, more than anything, induced the unnatural height which the diapason has now reached. A direct confirmation of this is afforded in a particticular instance, by a letter addressed to the Commission, by M. Kittl, the director of the Conservatory at Prague, who states that the Emperor Alexander I., upon becoming proprietor of an Austrian regiment, ordered new instruments to be made for the band. The manufacturer, in order to increase the brilliancy of tone, raised the pitch considerably. This having produced the desired effect, the example was followed by other military bands, who all raised their diapason. With the view of obtaining as much valuable information as possible upon the subject, which is one of universal interest to musical art, the Commission wrote to all the most celebrated musical centres in England, Belgium, Holland, Italy, and America. Almost all the answers which they received agreed in their estimation of the importance of the subject, and in deprecating the undue height of the diapasons now in use. Some of these communications, coming as they do from composers and conductors of the first eminence, are very interesting. It would, however occupy more space than we can afford, to attempt anything more than a very brief mention of one or two of the more striking. Reissiger writes from Dresden that he hopes all Europe will warmly applaud the establishment of the Commission. The great elevation of the pitch, in his opinion, destroys the effect and effaces the character of the ancient music--of the master-pieces of Mozart, Gluck, and Beethoven. Ferdinand David, Franz Abt, and Lachner, express with equal decision, their approval of the step which teh French Government has taken. Herr Wieprecht, the director of the military music of Prussia, and Dr. Furke, each forwarded able papers upon the subject, and manifested a lively sympathy with the objects which the Commissions had in view. From several quarters tuning-forks, to the number of twenty-five, were received. Of these, Messrs. Broadwood sent three, which afford a striking example of the necessity which exists in our own country for some re-adjustment and assimilation of the pitches now in use. The first is a quarter of a tone lower than that of Paris, and is used exclusively for piano-fortes destined to be employed for the accompaniments at vocal concerts. This, it seems, was the pitch used about thirty years ago by the Philharmonic Society. The second, which is higher than the Paris pitch, is that to which Messrs. Broadwood ordinarily tune their instruments, as being most likely in general to be in tune with harmoniums, flutes, &c. It is the diapason of instrumentalists. The third, still higher, is that now used by the Philharmonic Society, and, with one exception--viz., that employed in the band of the Belgian regiment of Guides--is the highest which the Commission received. The latter vibrates nine hudnred and eleven times in a second, whereas the No. 1, of the Messrs. Broadwood, the lowest of all the tuning-forks sent in, gives only eight hundred and sixty-eight vibrations in the same time. The difference is nearly equivalent to a semi-tone. With these and various other similar communications before them, the Commissioners unanimously came to the conclusion that it was desirable--first, that the diapason should be lowered; and, secondly, that when so lowered, it should be taken as an invariable regulator. The determination of the particular diapason to be adopted naturally presented considerable difficulties, and accordingly led to some diversity of opinion. All agreed that a depression of more than a semi-tone was neither practicable nor necessary. One member alonea dvocated a depression of less than a quarter of a tone. He, indeed, proposed that the alteration should at the most extend to half a quarter of a tone--fearing that any greater change, coming suddenly into operation, might act perjudicially upon the trade in musical instruments, which is one of the most successful branches of French industry. It is difficult, however, to see much force in this objection, when we consider the great variety which exists in the diapasons already in use througout Europe. In a letter addressed to the Minister of State by the principal French Instrument makers, they enlarge upon the embarrassment resulting "from the continually increasing elevation of the diapason, and from the variety of diapasons," and go on to request his Excellency "to put an end to this kind of anarchy, and to render to the musical world a service as important as that rendered to the industrial world by the creation of a uniform system of measures." It is evident from this that the manufacturers themselves do not regard with apprehension the contemplated change of diapason. Ultimately, a depression of a quarter of a tone was fixed upon. This, it was thought, would afford an appreciable relief to vocalists; and, "without introducing too great an arrangement in established habits, would insinuate itself, so to speak, incognito into the presence of the public. It would render the execution of the ancient master-pieces more easy; it would lead us back to the diapason employed (in Paris) about thirty years ago--the period of the production of works which have for the most part retained their places in the repertory, and which would accordingly be restored to the original condition of their composition and representation. It would also be more likely to be accepted in other countries than the depression of half a tone." In accordance with the recommendations of the Commission, an official order has been issued, establishin by law a uniform pitch to be used by all the musical establishments of France which have any connection with the Government. This "normal diapason" is an A given by a standard tuning-fork, to be preserved at the Conservatoire, which vibrates 870 times in a second. All musical establishments authorised by the State must be provided with a tuningfork, verified and officially stamped as consonant with this standard. These regulations come into force on the 1st of July next for paris, and on the 1st of December for the departments. Such are the energetic steps which the French Government has taken in a question which, in our own country, would probably be thought far too trivial to call for State interference of any kind. It, would, moreover, in all probability, be almost impossible for us to effect any analogous reformation in the musical world by means of official legislation, inasmuch as we have--and we regret that it is so--scarcely any musical establishments which are dependent for their support upon the Government, or which can in any way be said to have a national character. Much, however, might be done by private combination. If such men as Professor Bennett, Mr. Casta, Mr. Benedict, Mr. Alfred Melton, and the Messrs. Broadwood, could, upon consultation among themselves, and with others of our more eminent musicians and instrument makers, come to some understanding upon this question, and would offer their suggestions to the world, it would not improbably lead to reform which, as we have before remarked, is even more presingly called for in our own country than in France, where the movement has originated. It would, at any rate, be satisfactory to know the opinion of the men who, in England, are best qualified to speak authoritatively upon the subject. ------------------------------------------ The following are extracts from a play written (in imitation of the clouds of Aristophanes) in derision of German philosophy and theology, and performed some few years ago by the students of Oxford. They will bear re-printing.
CHORUS OF PROFESSORS. Professors we From over the sea, From the land where Professors in plenty be; And we thrive and flourish, as well we may, In the land that produce one Kant with a K, And many Cants with a C. Where Hegel taught, to his profit and fame, That something and nothing were one and the same; The absolute difference not a jot being 'Twixt having and not having, being and not being, But wisely declined to extend his notion To the finite relations of thalers and groeschen. Where, reared by Oken's plastic hands, The "Eternal Nothing of Nature" stands; And theology sits on her throne of pride, As "Arithmetic personified;" And the hodmandod crawls, in its shell confined, A "symbol exalted of slumbering mind." Bacon, be dumb, Newton, be mum; The worth of induction's a snap of the thumb, With a bug, bug, bug, and a hum, hum, hum, Hither the true Philosophers come.
ANTISTROPHE. Theologians we, Deep thinkers, and free, From the land of the new Divinity; Where Critics hunts for the sense sublime, Hidden in texts of the olden time, Which none but the sage can see. When Strauss shall teach you how Martyrs died For a moral idea personified, A myth and a symbol, which vulgar sense Received for historic evidence. Where Bauer can prove that true Theology Is special and general Anthropology, And the essence of worship is only to find The realized God in the human mind. Where Feurbach shows how Religion began From the defied feelings and wants of man, And the Deity owned by the mind reflective, Is human consciousness made objective. Presbyters, bend, Bishops, attend! The Bible's a myth from beginning to end. With a bug, bug, bug, and a hum, hum, hum, Hither the true Theologians come.
HYMN TO THE INFINITE, BY THE FULL CHORUS. The voice of yore Which the breezes bore, Wailing aloud from Paxo's plain, Is changing to a gladder and livelier strain, For the great god, Pan, is alive again, He lives and he breathes once more. With a deep intuition and mystic rite We worship the Absolute, Infinite, The Universe-Ego, the Plenary-Void, The Subject-Object identified, The great Nothing-Something, the Being-Thought, That mouldeth the mass of Chaotic Naught, Whose beginning unended and end unbegun Is the One that is All, and the All that is One. Hail Light with Darkness joined! Thou Potent Impotence! Thou Quantitative Point Of all Indifference! Great Non-Existence, passing into Being, Thou two-fold Pole of the Electric One, Thou Lawless Law, thou Seer all Unseeing, Thou Process, ever doing, never done! Thou Positive Negation! Negative Affirmation! Thou great Totality of everything That never is, but ever doth become, Thee do we sing, The Pantheist's King, With ceaseless bug, bug, bug, and endless hum, hum, hum, ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
gcls_courant_012 8
88 THE COURANT; A SOUTHERN LITERARY JOURNAL. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ For the Courant. THE FAITHLESS. ----- BY PRESTON DAVIS SILL. ----- I. At morn the sky was bright and blue, The fragrant rose was damp with dew, And my fond love was kind and true.
II. At noon the sky was overcast, Away the rose's beauty pass'd, My fickle love was veering fast.
III. At eve the storm-rife sky was drear, The radiant rose was dead and sere, And my lost love--can'st tell me where? Columbia, S. C. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "WHO IS THE HEIR?" THE Proprietor of the YORKVILLE ENQUIRER proposes to answer this question, (which by the way, concerns every man and woman in the country,) by the publication of a spirited ORIGINAL NOUVELETTE, written expressly for the ENQUIRER, by a talented young writer of this State. This Story, which, wherever it is read, will produce a sensation, is entitled, "WHO IS THE HEIR; OR, THE DARK MYSTERY OF THE DESERTED HOUSE." BY WILLIE LIGHTHEART, Author of "Lula Woodsworth," "Winnie and Willie," "The Children of the Sun," "Old Heads and Young Hearts," &c., &c. The publication will commence with the FIRST WEEK IN AUGUST, and continue through the ensuing three months, unfolding a plot replete with stirring incidents, dark and mysterious developments, with a strange and startling document. The Proprietor, willing to encourage Southern Literature by PRACTICAL means, has paid a round price for this production, and hopes that a generous public patronage will remunerate his outlay, and thus encourage, by the only method possible, the development of home talent. In addition to this, several contributors of known ability are constantly engaged for the ENQUIRER. In every number, letters of correspondence appear from different sections. The brilliant and witty "RUBY" writes regularly. Our promising young poet, J, WOOD DAVIDSON, contributes every other week. A lady of Columbia, who is well known in newspaper literature, but whose name we are not at liberty to disclose, has been permanently engaged for our columns, and will write short and brilliant sketches for each number. In addition to those, we receive constant supplies from Rev. J. W. KELLY, J. FOREST GOWAN, W. W. EAST, Mrs. M. W. STRATTON, "PUNCH," "A. H. L.," "X. Y. Z.," who, with our own strict and careful attention to current affiars, make up a weekly melange, which, the proprietor believes, will interest readers of every class, and should attract the patronage of our people. THE ENQUIRER is published in Yorkville, S. C., at $2, in adadvance. Clubs of TEN, $15, and an extra paper to the person making up the club. Send for it immediately, so as to get the first number of "WHO IS THE HEIR?" All letters should be addressed to the "ENQUIRER," Yorkville, S. C. LEWIS M. GRIST, Proprietor. July 7, 1859. 10--tf. SAM'L W. MELTON, Editor. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TO THE PUBLIC.
HAVING purchased the valuable and judiciously selected stock of BOOKS and STATIONERY of Mr. R. L. BRYAN, in this city, I respectfully notify the public, of which, the friends and patrons of that gentleman constitute a large and respectable part, of my establishment in business at his late stand. It will be my earnest endeavor to maintain the unexceptionable character of the late proprietor's business in every respect; and as assurance of my fitness to be his successor, I beg leave to call attention to the subjoined card." P. B. GLASS, Successor to R. L. Bryan. COLUMBIA, S. C., June 2d, 1858. ---- IT will be seen from the above notice that Mr. P. B. GLASS, my very efficient and confidential head assistant for the past ten years, has become my successor in the BOOKSELLING and STATIONERY business in Columbia. The business qualifications and sterling integrity of character of my successor, are too well known to my friends and customers throughout the State, to need any endorsement on my part. Most heartily thunking my friends and the public for the very liberal patronage which they have extended to me for nearly sixteen years, and which I now give up on account of feeble health, I most earnestly entreat its continuance to my successor. My twenty years of business experience will be at his service in the PURCHASING DEPARTMENT (the most important) to which I have undertaken to attend. R. L. BRYAN. June 9, 1859. 6--tf. Columbia, S. C. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- W. F. FARLEY. J. J. FORDE. COPARTNERSHIP NOTICE.
THE undersigned, having entered into copartnership, as MerchantTailors, in the city of Columbia, and having on hand a choice selection of Cloths, Cassimeres, Vestings, Gloves, Shirts, Handkerchiefs, &c., would respectfully inform their friends, and the public generally, that they are prepared to make up Gentlemen's garments in order, in the most fashionable style, and on reasonable terms; and hope, by strict attention to business, to merit a share of the public patronage. Call and examine our stock, at No. 137 Richardson Street, next door to Berry's Furniture Store. June 2, 1859 5--tf FARLEY & FORDE. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- F. W. HOADLEY, ATTORNEY AT LAW AND SOLICITOR IN CHANCERY, (Formerly of Columbia, S. C.,) LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS.
PARTICULAR attention given to the collection of claims in any part of the State, buying and selling of lands, locating swamps and overflowed lands, entering land at the General Land Offices, and paying taxes on lands in any county in Arkansas. June 16, 1859 7--ly ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WOOD, EDDY, & CO'S Single Number Lotteries. (CHARTERED BY THE STATE OF GEORGIA.) ---------------------------------------- CAPITAL PRIZE FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS! ---------------------------------------- Tickets Only $10. ---------------------------------------- WOOD, EDDY & CO., MANAGERS. (Successors to S. SWAN & Co.) ------------------ THE following Scheme will be drawn by Wood, Eddy & Co., Managers of the Sparta Academy Lottery, in each of their Single Number Lotteries for June, 1859, at Augusta, Georgia, in public, under the superintendence of Commissioners. Class 23 draws Saturday, June 4, 1859; Class 24 draws Saturday, June 11, 1859; Class 25 draws Saturday, June 18, 1859; Class 26 draws Saturday, June 25, 1859. On the plan of Single Numbers.-- Five Thousand Four Hundred and Eighty-Five Prizes! Nearly one prize to every nine Tickets. -------------------- Magnificent Scheme, to be Drawn each Sat'y in June.
| 1 Prize of.................$50,000 | 1 Prize of.................$1,500 |
|---|---|
| 1 " ".................... 20,000 | 50 Prizes of............... 500 |
| 1 " ".................... 10,000 | 100 " "................. 400 |
| 1 " ".................... 5,000 | 100 " ".................. 300 |
| 1 " ".................... 4,000 | 100 " ".................. 150 |
| 1 " ".................... 3,000 | 100 " ".................. 100 |
| 1 Prize of............$19,170 | 4 Prizes of.................$2,000 |
|---|---|
| 2 Prizes of............10,000 | 20 " ".....................1,000 |
| 2 " "...............8,000 | 130 " ".......................230 |
A list of the numbers that are drawn from the wheel, with the amount of the prize that each one is entitled to, will be published after every drawing, in the following papers:--Augusta (Ga.) Constitutionalist, Mobile Register, Nashville Gazette, Richmond Dispatch, Paulding (Miss.) Clarion, and New York Times. May 26, 1859 4--ly -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FAMILY GROCERIES. J. N. & T. D. FEASTER HAVE on hand, and are still receiving, a choice article of SugarCured Hams, Bacon Strips, Sides and Shoulders, Lard, Goshen and Country Butter, Smoked and Pickled Beef, Pork and Tongues, Mackerel, Salmon, Shad and White Fish, Extra Family Flour, Rice, Potatoes, Beans, &c., Pickles, Preserves, Spice, Pepper, Ginger and many other articles appertaining to the GROCERY business, which they offer at Low Prices for CASH. A carefully selected assortment of the best Wines, Brandies, Ale, &c., kept constantly on hand, all of which we warrant pure. Give us a trial, and we will endeavor to give satisfaction. Our terms are strictly CASH. June 30, 1859. 9--tf † -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE COURANT IS PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY, AT COLUMBIA, S. C., BY Wm. W. WALKER, Jr., & Co., AT TWO DOLLARS PER ANNUM, INVARIABLY IN ADVANCE. ---------------------------------------- Rates of Advertising: One square of eight lines, or less, solid Minion, one insertion $1 00. " " " " " " " each subsequent " 50. All advertisements from parties at a distance must be paid in advance. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DO YOU WANT A GOOD PIANO FORTE? [drawing of piano] IF you wish to be sure of getting a PIANO of Superior Qualities, fine Tone, Touch, and Style, and good to hold in Tune, go to W. RAMSAY'S Music Store, 142 Richardson Street, Columbia, S. C., where you can be sure of a FirstClass Instrument, and save money, at the low prices at which Pianos are now selling there. Every Piano is fully guaranteed in every particular, and are of the best makers. The genuine Driggs' Patented Double Sounding-Board, Hallet Davis & Co., and any maker's you choose. May 5, 1859. 1--tf -> N. B.--Beware of Piano Peddlers. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PAPER COMMISSION WAREHOUSE, AND PRINTERS' DEPOT, FOR the sale of Writing, Printing, Envelope, and Colored Papers, Cards, and Printing Materials of all kinds. Agent for L. JOHNSON & Co., Type Founders, R. HOE & Co., and other Printing Press makers. Printing Inks, of best quality, at Manufacturers' Prices. ------------ TO MERCHANTS. The subscriber begs to call attention to his Large Stock of Writing and Wrapping Paper of all kinds, which he will sell very low for cash, or short credit on large sums. JOSEPH WALKER, 120 Meeting Street, May, 5, 1859 1--tf Charleston, S. C. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A FINE ASSORTMENT OF LETTER, Foolscap, and Note Paper, from $1.00 a ream to $6.00. Blank Books for Merchants and Public Officers, such as Sheriffs, Clerks, &c. Writing Desks for Ladies and Gentlemen, from $1.50 to $15.00 each, (all sizes). Penknives, Gold Pens, Portfolios, Chess Men, Globes, Mathematical Instruments; also, Engravings, and Lithographs, from 25 cents to $10.00 each; also, Picture Frames, all sizes made to fit in an hour's notice; also, Drawing Materials and Paints, &c., &c., for sale, at low prices, at R. L. BRYAN'S Bookstore, May 5, 1859 1--tf Columbia, S. C. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ALLEN & DIAL, IMPORTERS and Dealers in English and American Hardware and Cutler, Iron, Steel, Nails, Castings, Mill-Stones, Bolting Cloths, Mill-Irons, Sugar Pans, India Rubber and Leather Belting, Carpenters', Blacksmiths' and Tanners' Tools, Housekeeping and Furnishing Hardware, Agricultural Implements, Lime, Cement, Plaster, Paints, Oils, French and American Window Glass, Guns, Rifles, Pistols, Shot-Belts, Powder-Flasks, Powder, Shot, &c.; wholesale or retail; at the sign of the Golden Pad-Lock, Columbia, S. C. J. M. ALLEN J. C. DIAL. May 19, 1859 3--tf ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STANDARD BOOKS FOR LIBRARIES. R. L. BRYAN, Columbia, has for sale, and is constantly receiving, the Writings of the Eminent Authors of Europe and America, Modern and Ancient--fine and plain copies. Also, New Publications of the day received twice a week. The experience of twenty years in the Book Business, and the use of CASH in ALL his purchases, enables him to offer inducements to those who may be disposed to call upon him. Orders by mail promptly attended to. A fine lot of Books expected this week--for sale cheap. Call and buy. May 5, 1859. 1--tf ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- S. G. COURTENAY & CO., No. 9 BROAD STREET, BOOKSELLERS and Stationers, Cheap Publications, Magazines and Newspapers. Charleston, S. C. [May 5, 1859 1--tf ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL, Columbia, S. C. PRINCIPALS {A. B. BRUMBY, A. M.--Latin and Mathematics. {J. WOOD DAVIDSON, A. M.--Greek and English ASSISTANT, T. BEZANCON--Graduate University France--French. Terms $30 per session. May 5, 1859. 1--tf ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHINGLER BROTHERS, DEALERS in Exchange, Uncurrent Money, Land Warrants, &c. No. 7 Broad Street, Charleston, S. C. [May 5, 1859. 1--tf ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WEARN & HIX. NO. 170 MAIN STREET, COLUMBIA, S. C. ARE prepared to execute Portraits, from Miniature to Life Size, in all departments of the Photographic Art. The public are invited to call and inspect specimens of the new and beautiful IVORYTYPE. May 5, 1859. 1--tf ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ F. PATTERSON & CO., WHOLESALE and Retail Dealers in Books, Stationary, Fancy Goods, Daily and Weekly Newspapers, Magazines, &c. Corner of King and Society Streets, Charleston, S. C. N. B.--Miscellaneous and Mail Orders for Goods, whether in our line or not, promptly attended to. [May 5, 1859. 1--tf ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ SCHOOL BOOKS--COLLEGE BOOKS, IN all the English and Ancient Languages. Law Books, on all subjects. Medical Books, on every disease. Theological Books, Religious Publications. Also, Hymn Books for ALL THE CHURCHES; Bibles for the Pocket, all sizes; Family Bibles, from $1.25 to $25.00. For sale cheap, at R. L. BRYAN'S Bookstore. May 5, 1859 1--tf Columbia, S. C. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ TO TRAVELERS. SCHEDULE OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA RAILROAD. ------------------------------------------ Northern Route. Stations. D. Trains. N. Trains Leave Charleston..............10.25 a. m. 8.30 p. m. Arrive at Kingsville, (Junction of the Wilmington and Manchester Railroad)...4.50 p. m. 4.40 a. m. Arrive at Columbia............6.30 p. m. 6.45 a. m. Arrive at Camden..............7.20 p. m. Leave Camden..................4.10 a. m. Leave Columbia................5.00 a. m. 1.30 p. m. Leave Kingsville................6.45 a. m. 3.30 p. m. Arrive at Charleston..........1.00 p. m. 11.00 p. m. Western Route. Leave Charleston..............5.45 a. m. 2.30 p. m. Arrive at Augusta..............1.15 p. m. 11.15 p.m. Leave Augusta.................10.10 a. m. 8.15 p. m. Arrive at Charleston..........1.00 p. m. 11.00 p. m. Through Travel Between Augusta and Kingsville. Leave Augusta..................10.10 a. m. 8.15 p. m. Arrive at Kingsville.............4.50 p. m. 4.40 a. m. Leave Kingsville.................6.45 a. m. 3.30 p. m Arrive at Augusta...............1.15 p. m. 11.15 p. m. May 5, 1859 1--tf -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------