the treasure in your possession you
yourself certainly know not at all. In your vocal accomplishment there sounds already
a high degree of natural grace, a rich sum of unsuspecting vigorous being and life,
and an abundance of poetry and humanity. It is permissible to tell you, and to give
you positive assurance, that you therefore promise to become in every way a genuine
singer, because it is likely that you are a person who is compelled to sing by her
very inmost nature, and who appears only to live, and only to be able to enjoy life,
when she begins to sing, thus transforming all her actual delight in life into the
art of song, whence all that is humanly and personally significant, all that is suffused
with soul, all that is full of understanding, ascends into something higher, into
an ideal. In a beautiful song there is always a concentration and compression of experience,
perception, and feeling, an explosive aggregate of condensed life and animation of
the soul, and with such a song, a woman who makes good use of her situation, and mounts
the ladder of her opportunities, may as a star in the firmament of music move profoundly
the hearts of many people, amass great wealth, transport a public to demonstrations
of stormy and enthusiastic applause, and draw down upon herself the sincere love and
admiration of kings and of queens.”
Serious, and astonished, the girl listened to the words I spoke, though I uttered
them certainly more for my own delight than in any hope that the little thing might
appreciate and understand them, for she lacked the necessary maturity.
From afar I can already see a railway crossing which I shall have to traverse; but,
at present, I have not got that far; for I shall have, it must be clearly realized,
two or three important commissions to execute, and several insuperable arrangements
to make. On these commissions a report must be drawn up, or delivered, in as much
detail, and with as much precision, as possible. It will generously be permitted me
to remark that I have in passing to present myself with all expediency at an elegant
gentleman’s outfitters or tailor’s workshop to discuss a new suit which I must try
on and have tailored. Second, I have to pay off heavy taxes in the local office or
town hall; and third, I ought to take a noteworthy letter to the post office and throw
it into the letter box. It will be seen how much I have to do, and how this apparently
idle and easygoing walk is full of practical business affairs, and people will therefore,
I hope, be so good as to excuse my loitering, appreciate my delays, and approve the
long-winded discussions with professional and clerical people; yes, perhaps even welcome
them as acceptable adjuncts and contributions to the entertainment. For all consequent
lengths, breadths, and heights I humbly request in advance the reader’s pardon. Has
a provincial or metropolitan author ever been more diffident and courteous toward
the circle of his readers? I hardly think so, and therefore, with my conscience utterly
clear, I continue my little chat and narrative and report the following:
God bless my soul! It’s high time I went over to Frau Aebi for my dinner, or lunch.
This very minute it is striking half past twelve. As luck would have it, the lady
lives very near indeed to where I am standing; I need only slip, smooth as an eel,
into the house, as into a loophole, and as into a shelter for poor starvelings and
pitiful distressed gentlefolk.
F RAU A EBI
received me most magnanimously. My punctuality was a masterpiece. It is known how
rare masterpieces are. Frau Aebi smiled when she saw me arriving, really most kindly.
She offered me, in a cordial and winning way, which in a manner of speaking enchanted
me, her nice little hand, and led me at once into the dining room, where she requested
me to sit at the table, a request which I naturally and with the utmost
yourself certainly know not at all. In your vocal accomplishment there sounds already
a high degree of natural grace, a rich sum of unsuspecting vigorous being and life,
and an abundance of poetry and humanity. It is permissible to tell you, and to give
you positive assurance, that you therefore promise to become in every way a genuine
singer, because it is likely that you are a person who is compelled to sing by her
very inmost nature, and who appears only to live, and only to be able to enjoy life,
when she begins to sing, thus transforming all her actual delight in life into the
art of song, whence all that is humanly and personally significant, all that is suffused
with soul, all that is full of understanding, ascends into something higher, into
an ideal. In a beautiful song there is always a concentration and compression of experience,
perception, and feeling, an explosive aggregate of condensed life and animation of
the soul, and with such a song, a woman who makes good use of her situation, and mounts
the ladder of her opportunities, may as a star in the firmament of music move profoundly
the hearts of many people, amass great wealth, transport a public to demonstrations
of stormy and enthusiastic applause, and draw down upon herself the sincere love and
admiration of kings and of queens.”
Serious, and astonished, the girl listened to the words I spoke, though I uttered
them certainly more for my own delight than in any hope that the little thing might
appreciate and understand them, for she lacked the necessary maturity.
From afar I can already see a railway crossing which I shall have to traverse; but,
at present, I have not got that far; for I shall have, it must be clearly realized,
two or three important commissions to execute, and several insuperable arrangements
to make. On these commissions a report must be drawn up, or delivered, in as much
detail, and with as much precision, as possible. It will generously be permitted me
to remark that I have in passing to present myself with all expediency at an elegant
gentleman’s outfitters or tailor’s workshop to discuss a new suit which I must try
on and have tailored. Second, I have to pay off heavy taxes in the local office or
town hall; and third, I ought to take a noteworthy letter to the post office and throw
it into the letter box. It will be seen how much I have to do, and how this apparently
idle and easygoing walk is full of practical business affairs, and people will therefore,
I hope, be so good as to excuse my loitering, appreciate my delays, and approve the
long-winded discussions with professional and clerical people; yes, perhaps even welcome
them as acceptable adjuncts and contributions to the entertainment. For all consequent
lengths, breadths, and heights I humbly request in advance the reader’s pardon. Has
a provincial or metropolitan author ever been more diffident and courteous toward
the circle of his readers? I hardly think so, and therefore, with my conscience utterly
clear, I continue my little chat and narrative and report the following:
God bless my soul! It’s high time I went over to Frau Aebi for my dinner, or lunch.
This very minute it is striking half past twelve. As luck would have it, the lady
lives very near indeed to where I am standing; I need only slip, smooth as an eel,
into the house, as into a loophole, and as into a shelter for poor starvelings and
pitiful distressed gentlefolk.
F RAU A EBI
received me most magnanimously. My punctuality was a masterpiece. It is known how
rare masterpieces are. Frau Aebi smiled when she saw me arriving, really most kindly.
She offered me, in a cordial and winning way, which in a manner of speaking enchanted
me, her nice little hand, and led me at once into the dining room, where she requested
me to sit at the table, a request which I naturally and with the utmost
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