Scenes in Switzerland | Page 8

there was
hope of his recovering his sight. This done, he was once more offered
the position; but Herr Hoffner was a just man; to do by others as he
would be done by was his motto. Herr Von Stein had filled the post
acceptably; it was no fault of his that the old organist had lost his place.
Herr Hoffner would not accept it, but only asked that he might be
allowed to give concerts with his children. Franz labored diligently at
his studies, and already was he beginning to surprise his friends, not
only with his playing, but with his composition.
Years passed: there was a great gathering in that grand old capital. A
musical festival was in progress, and all the celebrities the world over
had congregated there. Franz Hoffner was in the zenith of his glory. At
the close of the performance, and while the entire audience joined in
acclamations of praise to the youthful leader, a rich medal was
presented. On one side the profile view of the elector and his daughter,
set round with diamonds; on the other, "Music is only valuable as it
lifts the heart and purifies our fallen nature."
Franz Hoffner lived to be a great musician; but he never ceased to think
of his parents and Nanette. Honors were empty, and applause vain, only
so far as they contributed to the happiness of those he loved.

The Glaciers Of Savoy
After a few weeks passed in Geneva, we determined to go on to
Chamouni, and for this purpose engaged a guide accustomed for years
to the mountain passes, and on whom we were told that we could rely
implicitly.
This being arranged, we took a last drive around the environs of the
city; the views of the lake and of the mountains in every direction, were
enchanting and sublime. From the head of the lake, a greater variety of
interesting objects met the eye than can be seen perhaps from any other
spot in Europe. At your feet you behold a venerable and populous city;

while a vast and beautiful lake spreads its clear waves beyond, amid a
landscape rich in all the products a cultivated soil can furnish; while
vast and gloomy mountains stretch their giant forms on high. In clear
weather, Mont Blanc appears the venerable monarch of the Alps.
Below this, Saléve rises to upwards of three thousand feet, with the
uninterrupted length of the Jura on the left, whose highest point is over
four thousand. Proceeding along the banks of the Arve, we at length
alighted at the entrance of a thicket, through which we made our way
with difficulty, the path being hilly and very slippery, to a place where
we saw at our feet the celebrated junction of the Arve and the Rhone.
The Arve has a thick soapy appearance; the Rhone is of a fine dark
green, and seems for a while to spurn a connection with its muddy
visitor. For two or three miles the Rhone keeps up its reserve, and the
rivers roll side by side, without mingling their waters. At length they
meet and blend: the distinction is lost, the polluted Arve is absorbed in
the haughty and majestic Rhone.
We were to leave Geneva the next morning. Before night our guide
came: he was ill, would we take his son? The proposition did not please
us; it was a dangerous journey, and many had been lost in the mountain
passes.
"Erwald knows as much of the passes as I do," said the father, "and he
is anxious to go; his sister lives at Maglan, and she is down with the
fever."
I saw how it was. Erwald was to go to Maglan to visit his sister; and if
the father could arrange for him to go with us, of course he himself
would be free to make another engagement.
"Do you feel sure that you can guide us safely?" I asked of Erwald.
"Certainly, monsieur; I have been over the way many times. If I was
not quite sure, I would not offer to go."
"Not if you could gain a good many francs by going?"
"It would not be right to say to you that I knew the way, if I did not."
The boy's face was attractive, his voice gentle, and his blue eyes full of
tenderness. His look and his answer delighted me.
"No, it would not be right, Erwald; and because you love the right and
feel sure that you can serve us, I will take you in your father's place."
"I am glad, very glad; and now I must see my mother. Vesta is sick and
she will be glad to see any one from home."

Erwald's face was glowing; I turned to the father.