after a perusal of his graphic pages, than after a long course of dry historical details.  His remarks on the Polonaise and Mazourka are full of the philosophy and essence of history.  These dances grew directly from the heart of the Polish people; repeating the martial valor and haughty love of noble exhibition of their men; the tenderness, devotion, and subtle coquetry of their women—­ they were of course favorite forms with Chopin; their national character made them dear to the national poet.  The remarks of Liszt on these dances are given with a knowledge so acute of the traits of the nation in which they originated, with such a gorgeousness of description and correctness of detail, that they rather resemble a highly finished picture, than a colder work of words only.  They have all the splendor of a brilliant painting.  He seizes the secrets of the nationality of these forms, traces them through the heart of the Polish people, follows them through their marvelous transfiguration in the pages of the Polish artist, and reads by their light much of the sensitive and exclusive character of Chopin, analyzing it with the skill of love, while depicting it with romantic eloquence.

To those who can produce the compositions of Chopin in the spirit of their author, no words are necessary.  They follow with the heart the poetic and palpitating emotions so exquisitely wrought through the aerial tissue of the tones by this “subtle-souled Psychologist,” this bold and original explorer in the invisible world of sound;—­all honor to their genius: 

     “Oh, happy! and of many millions, they
     The purest chosen, whom Art’s service pure
     Hallows and claims—­whose hearts are made her throne,
     Whose lips her oracle, ordained secure,
     To lead a priestly life, and feed the ray
     Of her eternal shrine, to them alone
     Her glorious countenance unveiled is shown: 
     Ye, the high brotherhood she links, rejoice
     In the great rank allotted by her choice! 
     The loftiest rank the spiritual world sublime,
     Rich with its starry thrones, gives to the sons of Time!”

Schiller.

Short but glowing sketches of Heine, Meyerbeer, Adolphe Nourrit, Hiller, Eugene Delacroix, Niemcevicz, Mickiewicz, and Madame Sand, occur in the book.  The description of the last days of poor Chopin’s melancholy life, with the untiring devotion of those around him, including the beautiful countess, Delphine Potocka; his cherished sister, Louise; his devoted friend and pupil, M. Gutman, with the great Liszt himself, is full of tragic interest.

No pains have been spared by the translator to make the translation acceptable, for the task was truly a labor of love.  No motives of interest induced the lingering over the careful rendering of the charmed pages, but an intense desire that our people should know more of musical art; that while acknowledging the generosity and eloquence of Liszt, they should learn to appreciate and love the more subtle fire, the more creative genius of the unfortunate, but honorable and honored artist, Chopin.