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Show ANECDOTE OP VOS WEBER. The following anecdote of Weber, the illustrious composer, presents him in a new and unexpected light, and will be read with interest: I was in London in 1811. Weber was in a boat on the river with some ladies, and began to perform on the flute, which he played to great perfection. perfec-tion. But seeing that his boat was followed closely by another, in which were several youDg officers, he put his flute in his pocket. "Why do you stop playing?" said one of the officers to Weber. "For the same reason thatl began," replied the composer. "And that is?" "Because it pleases me." "Well, then," said the officer, "take up your flute again, or it will please me to throw you into the water. The composer, seeing that the dialogue dia-logue was unpleasant to the ladies he was with, gave way and began playing again. When leaving the boat, however, how-ever, he accosted the bold son of Mars, and said: "Sir, the fear of annoying the people who were with me made me brook your insolence, but to-morrow I will have satisfaction. We can meet in Hyde Park at 10 o'clock. If you have no objection we will fight with swords; we need no seconds; the quarrel quar-rel is only between you and me, and it is quite useless to bring in strangers." The officer accepted the challenge. He was at the rendezvous at the ap- pointea nour, ana met Weber, as agreed on. He drew his sword and put himself him-self on his guard, when Weber put a pistol at his throat. "Do you wish to murder me?" said the officer. "No," said Weber; but be kind enough to put up that sword and dance a minute, or you are a dead man." The officer made some objection, but the authoratative and determined tone of Weber seemed to influence him, and notwithstanding the arrival of some people on the soene of action, he went through what he was asked, or rather told, to do. "Sir," said the musician, you compelled me yesterday to play against my wish; I have now compelled you to dance against yours. Our bond is over. However, should you be dissatisfied dis-satisfied still, I am quite ready to givs you any satisfaction you may wish for." The officer held out his hand and begged his adversary to honor him with his friendship. From that moment an attachment sprung up between them which lasted to the day the illus-rious illus-rious composer died. |