Frederic Chopin, v. 1 (of 2)

on the Diet, that was shortly to assemble for the purpose of preserving the Polish nation from the miseries incident to anarchy, f

gh to protect itself against hostile foreign influence, or a repetition of the dismemberment of 1773. Consequently, an imposing standing army was organized, and, for the purpose of raising t

n ambassadors attended the palace to ascertain the intentions of King Stanislas Augustus respecting the thorough reforms required by the people. The chariots of the highest official functionaries, Wojewoden, and Kastellane, fre

generation. The future Republic was viewed in the most glowing light. Notwithstanding the recent partition which had rent the very heart of the country, and narrowly circumscr

Members of the aristocracy, famous for their patriotism and willing self-sacrifice for the good both of the people and the Republic, were universally gre

m the dress of the burgher to the gorgeous apparel of the rich noble, who at that time generally wore the picturesque national costume-fixed his

of Lorraine and Bar passed, as is well-known, by the peace of Vienna, in 1735, into the posse

ndivided esteem and affection of his subjects. Nicholas Chopin was born when the remembrance of this prince and philosopher was still in its first freshness. It had long been the desire of Chopin, and many other educated Lorrainers, w

ghly cultured mind and amiable manners, offered him the appointment of tutor to her two children, which he readily accepted. Bi

lage of Czerniejow, the young Frenchman became acquainted with many impor

hat acquisition he soon made considerable progress. The discussions in the Diet interested him much, because they revealed the m

ant political celebrations in Warsaw. The proclamation of the new Constit

he whole nation with unexampled enthusiasm. The joy of the people of Warsaw was unbounded, and everyone ho

hich promised brighter fortunes to the land of the Sarmatians. The recollection of this period never faded from his memory, and he would often describe to his family the trans

r Poland had not in the smallest degree meddled in her affairs, Russia was the first to take up arms, under the pretext of opposing the Jacobite tenets of the Constitution and of restoring to the nobles the power taken fro

o enter into a mutual engagement with Russia for a second partition of Poland, by which he received, in the year 1793, an area of 1,100 square miles, in the neighbourhood of Dantzic and Thorn. From this time until its total annihilation, one misfortune after another beset the sorel

l by the Prussians. Brave by nature, and zealous for the independence of Poland, Nicholas Chopin entered the ranks of the National Guards, and took an active part in the defence of the country. He had attained the position of captain at the time of the defeat of the Polish army at Maciejowice, when

n 10,000 persons fell victims to the conqueror?s cruelty. The third partition of Poland, which was accomplished in the following year, gave the death blow to its political exist

journey at that time involved. He, therefore, remained in Warsaw, and supported himself by giving lessons in French. When asked why he had abandoned the idea of returning to his own country, he used to repl

son. He there met and fell in love with Fr?ulein Justine Krzyzanowska, whom, in 1806, he married. Their union was blessed with t

to the importance of an actual capital, Warsaw became the centre of action, animating and concentrating all the powers of the newly-made Duchy. Thither everyone eagerly repaired. With impetuous haste a government was organized, a soldiery formed, and new schools established. Following the general example, Nicholas Chopin returned with his family to Warsaw, where he would be able to work wi

sly formed the Grand Duchies, Nicholas Chopin undertook the professorship of French at the Military Elementary School. The insurrection o

rmy was disbanded, the universities removed, the Lyceum and other educational establishments closed. Nicholas Chopin was a member of the Exa

blameless purity of his life, caused him to be highly respected in the country he had made his own. The best Polish families were anxious to entrust the training of their sons to his care, and to place them in a household universally esteemed, so that for some years

eace was her highest happiness. Providence afflicted her with severe trials: after the death of her husband she lost two amiable daughters, and then her only and dearly loved son, the last moments of whose life she was unable to soothe by her motherly ca

conjunction with her sister, Isabella, she wrote some books on the best means for the elevation of the working classes. After her marriage with Professor Jedrzejewicz, in 1832, she devoted herself to the education of her

spector of Schools, Anton Barcinski, who afterwards became

beyond her years, unceasingly bright and witty, she possessed the happy gift of always diffusing cheerfulness. She was, therefore, much beloved, and her w

which she wrote for special occasions were distinguished by blameless form and harmony; even in her thirteenth year Emily and her sister Isabella were engaged in translating into Polish the tales of the German writer, Salzmann; but her early death, unfortunately, prevented the completion of this work. Judging from such of her poeti

t des Menschen

in Leid, die Seine

away this talented girl, whose premature

. In a certain sense a human being resembles a plant: nationality, parents, family, friends, and teachers, all have a share in his dev

thanks of the whole nation by the compilation of his valuable Polish dictionary. His merit is so much the greater as, independently of the labours of Wilhelm von Hum

remarkable pianist for her time. To her Chopin dedicated his first published work, Rondo, op. 1. This comp

celebrated for his researches in history and Slavonic law. His works are

nd student of aesthetics; Julius Kolberg, an engineer, father of the ethnologist Oskar, the indefatigable collector of folk songs; Jarocki, a learned zoologist; Anton Brodowski, a celebrated historical and portrait pai

Augustus. His first appointment was that of music teacher in the house of Prince Ca

nd counsel assisted considerably in the development of his talent for composition. Frederic, therefore, not only loved and valued Elsner as a teacher, but also as an intimate

Breslau, gave him his first instruction in counterpoint. In 1792, Elsner went to Poland, holding the post of bandmaster and composer at the National Theatre, first at Lemberg and then in Warsaw. In 1816, after

iastical works, among which the oratorio, "Das Leiden Christi" was several times performed in Warsaw, and very favourably received. Its wealth of melody, no less than its technical working, renders this one of the chief, and, perhaps, the most successful of Elsner?s compositions. H

sed by public subscription,

brilliant talents were more fully developed, his father counted among his guests not only savants, poets, and artists, but the élite of the aristocracy, who considered it an honour to become acquainted with t