Literary. A letter written by the Great Composer Mendelssohn, in Engel berg, August 23rd, 1831. The accompanying letter may be of interest to those students who are at present reading Lohmeyer’s pretty little story, Der Geissbub von Engelberg. In 1827, at the age of eighteen, Mendelssohn left the University of Berlin with great hon ors; he was a profound classical scholar; he excelled in gymnastics; he was an elegant rider, and like Lord Byron, he was a bold and ac complished swimmer. During the years 1830-31, he visited London, Weimar, Rome, Switzerland and Paris. The letter shows the buoy ancy and poetry which possessed his heart. Engelberg, August 23rd, 1831 My heart is so full I must tell you about it. In this enchanting valley I have just taicen up Sciller’s “ Wil helm Tell, ” and read half of the first scene; there is surely no genius like that in Germany! Heavens knows why it is so, but I do think that no other nation could fully com prehend such an opening scene, far less be able to compose it. This is what I call a poem. It is now more than four years since I read it. I mean presently to go over to the monastery, to work off my excitement on the organ. I have passed a most enjoyable morning, and I feel in the kind of mood which makes you long to re call such a man (Schiller) to life, in order to thank him, and inspiring an earnest desire, one day, to compose a work which shall impress others with similar feelings. This is the nicest inn imaginable, clean, tidy, very small and rustic; an old white-haired innkeeper; a wooden house, situated in a meadow, a little apart from the road; and the people so kind and cordial, that I feel quite at home. My room has THE STATE COLLEGIAN windows on every side, command ing a view of the valley; the room is prettily panelled with wood; some colored texts and a crucifix are hanging on the walls; when I lie in bed I have the following view:— (Here follows a sketch of the mon astery buildings.) I shall always consider this valley to be one of the lovliest in all Switzerland. I have not yet seen the gigantic mountains by which it is encompassed, as they have been all day shrouded in mist; but the beautiful meadows, the numerous brooks, the houses, the foot of the hills, so far as I can see them, are exquisitely lovely. Now, good night; I must rise very early to morrow; it is to be a grand fete to-day in the monastery, and a religious service, and I am to play the organ for them. The monks were listening this morn while I was extemporizing a little, and were so pleased, they invited me to play the people in and out at their festival to morrow. The father organist gave me the subject on which I am to ex temporize; it is better than any that would have occurred to an organist in Italy. I shall see to-morrow what I can make of it. When I came past the monastery last evening, the church was closed, and scarcely were the doors shut, when the monks began to sing nocturns fer vently, in the dark church; they in toned the deep B, which vibrated splendidly, and could be heard far down the valley. Afternoon This has been another splendid day, the weather bright and enjoya ble, and the bluest sky I have seen since I left Chamouni; it was a holi day in the village, and in all the mountains. After long continued fogs, and every kind of bad weather, once more to see from the window in the morning the clear range of mountains and their pinnacles, is in deed a grand spectacle. They are acknowledged to be finest after rain, GO TO GEO. B. JACKSON I-OR CIGARS, TOBACCO AND FRESH ROASTED PEANUTS A Pull Line of Smokers’ Fancy Articles. ALLEN ST., STATE COLLEGE, PA A.F.MARKLE MIX.K and ICE W. L. FOSTER ..State- College.. College Hardware Co. State College THE MCALLISTER DIN lIN Gr II ALL RATES 21 consecutive meals, 52.75, by ticket, rash in advance. Single meal ticket, 25 cum*. Your Patronage W. 11. HOUSED Respectfully Solicited Caterer FLASHLIGHTS, VIEWS, GROUPS All Kinds of STUDENT PHOTOGRAPHY D. A. BARNETT Room 377 Main •Successor to.I. 1. .Morgan. August 24th. Watch and Jewelry Repairing a Specialty All work done promptly . . . and Guaranteed F. P. BLAIR & CO. Jewelers and Opticians BELLEFONTE - - PA. DEALER IN STATE COr.r.F.GR FIRST CLASS LIVERY General Hardware, Tin Ware Spouting and Repairage
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