Escaping, he arrived at Paris; and on the 18th of June, 1815, he fought the decisive battle of Waterloo when, being totally defeated, he was banished to St. Helena. There he died on the 5th of May, 1821, without pain and in silence, during a convulsion of the elements. The last words he stammered out were, "Army" and "France;" but whether it was intended as an adieu could not be ascertained.

CHAPTER XIII.

Musicians.

BOYHOOD OF HANDEL.

MUSIC, it seems, is an attainment denied to welldirected perseverance, and dependent, in a great measure, on certain original qualities, which are not to be acquired; but still application in the case of those on whom the precious gift has been bestowed, is not, on that account, by any means unnecessary.

George Frederick Handel was, perhaps, the greatest melodist and musical composer whom Providence has ever endowed with talents to delight and enrapture his fellow-creatures. His works, as has been remarked, are so numerous and different in their kind, as to elude all save general criticism; but certainly it is impossible to listen to them, without experiencing emotions of the most exquisite kind.

He was born at Halle, in Upper Saxony, on the 24th of February, 1684; and almost in infancy, displayed his wonderful taste and extraordinary capacity for music. Michael Kelly relates of himself, with

his usual richness of humor, that, when three years old, he was accustomed to be placed on his father's table, along with the wine, to sing for the entertainment of his guests, and was thus led to cultivate the talent with which nature had blessed him; but Handel's sublime genius had no such encouragement. That

"Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast,

To soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak,"

would probably and naturally have been pleaded in vain to his father, an eminent physician, who was anxious to bring up his son to the profession of the law. At all events, he showed no sympathy with the enthusiastic boy's innate passion. On the contrary, he endeavored to repress it by every means in his power-especially by sending every thing in the shape of a musical instrument out of the house. Young Handel's potent genius was not, however, to be thus baffled or subdued. He enlisted the aid of a trusted servant, with whose assistance he continued to indulge and delight in his musical prepossessions.

At the top of the house was a solitary garret, which became the scene of his juvenile efforts. There he kept a small clavichord, an instrument in the form of a spinet, with strings so covered with little pieces of cloth as to deaden or soften the sound. Upon this, he carefully and industriously practiced every evening, after the other members of the family had betaken themselves to repose. Thus he became

a proficient in harmony, without the advantage of any instruction whatever. For years he carried on this system; and the extent of his accomplishments was first brought to light by his strong and absorbing interest in music and musical instruments.

An elder brother being in the household of the Prince of Saxe-Weissenfels, Handel was, at the age of seven, taken by his father on a visit to the ducal palace. While wandering through the apartments, he could not withstand the temptation of touching with his fingers the notes of the harpsichord, the very sight of which had an irresistible fascination for him. Happening to arrive at the royal chapel just as the service was concluding, he stole into it unperceived, and commenced playing upon the organ. The rich sounds he drew from its notes came just in time to reach the ears of the prince, as he was ceremoniously retiring; and he immediately inquired who was playing. Handel's brother, being in attendance on the occasion, turned back to ascertain; and finding, with surprise, who the person was, communicated the intelligence to his master, adding that the performer was only seven years old. The prince then requested, that both father and son should be brought to his presence; and the interview resulted in Handel being placed for tuition under the organist of Halle cathedral. The latter, with creditable discernment, allowed the young musician to form his own style, according to the promptings of his young

genius, furnishing him, at the same time, with assistance in every way calculated to contribute to his improvement in the science. In this kind of discipline he remained for two years; and so rapid had been his progress, that when that period came to a conclusion, he was qualified to officiate, now and then, as organist for his instructor, and occasionally to furnish compositions for the church service. Thus passed the time till he was fourteen.

It was then deemed advisable that he should proceed for further instruction to Berlin, where he was accordingly sent, and there he made the acquaintance of Attilio and Bononcini, who were afterward his rivals on English ground. The former behaved to the boy with great kindness and encouraging familiarity; but the other assumed toward him a sullen and supercilious bearing.

It must be confessed, however, that Handel had his revenge more than twenty years later, in that great musical contest, in which Handel was declared the victor. It was thus alluded to by Swift:

Compared with Signor Bononcini,

Some say that Handel's a mere ninny,

Others assert that he to Handel

Is scarcely fit to hold a candle."

The Dean, with his wonted ability and bitterness, adds:

'Strange, such a difference there should be

'Twixt tweedle-dum and tweedle-dee."