Transcriber's Note:
1. Page scan source: http://books.google.com/books?id=VTMZAAAAYAAJ
2. Ossip Schubin is the pseudonym for Lola Kirschner.
3. There are 4 missing words or two-word phrases in the 3d para., Page 54; and 6missing words or two-word phrases in the 2nd para. page 55.Missing text is indicated with "[...]" sequences.
BORIS LENSKY
From the German
BY
OSSIP SCHUBIN
Translated by Élise L. Lathrop
ILLUSTRATED
NEW YORK
WORTHINGTON COMPANY
747 BROADWAY
1891
Copyright, 1891, by
WORTHINGTON CO.
Press of J. J. Little & Co.
Astor Place, New York
BORIS LENSKY.
"He had many faults, but one greatest of all faults he had not, that ofquackery--
"With all his faults he was a man, fiery real from the great fire bosomof nature herself."--Carlyle.
I.
"Whoever wishes to know how great is the power which the charm of musiccan exercise over humanity must visit one of Boris Lensky's concerts.
"Boris Lensky! The name in itself has a legendary sound--a magicfascination surrounds the man and his violin. For every one who hasattended one of his concerts, the longing, listening expression on thefaces of the women who hear him is something which remains foreverinterwoven in remembrance with the complaining sweetness of his art.The best and noblest of women, when they listen to his wonderfulviolin, fall into a feverish trance which makes them lose all powerover themselves.
"In Russia they call Boris Lensky the devil's violinist, and inexplanation of the godless charm which glows in his art, the followingneat little tale is told:
"Almost fifty years ago, crept through the poorest quarter of Moscow aneglected, ugly child, who, in order to earn his scanty food, scrapedhis violin as best he might, and sometimes received a copeck, but nevera caress. This child was Boris Lensky. His heart languished fortenderness, like that of all repulsed ones. Then the devil met him, andallured him with splendid temptations. He would lay the whole world athis feet, if the boy would give him his soul for his own in exchange.But the boy felt a terror at this hellish slavery and said: 'No.' Thenthe devil at first went his way, and gnashed his teeth that he had notsucceeded in capturing a human soul. But suddenly he turned back andcalled to the boy: 'I desire nothing of you; keep your soul; but youshall accept a present from me--a gift. In your art shall dwell a charmwhich no one can resist.'
"Then the boy was astonished at the devil's generosity, and acceptedthe gift. But the devil rejoiced, for he said to himself: 'If I havelost one soul, I have taken ten thousand oth