would come out. He would catch quickly what was played to him, and play it correctly himself; he would even invent little pieces, which he played; and his very sports were set to music, for when he was playing with his favorite, a trumpeter in his father's band, he would insist that the playthings should be carried from one room to another to the sound of music. He was an affectionate little fellow, full of tenderness, and eager to be loved; so that he would jump up from his sports and run to those about him, asking if they really loved him; if they laughed and teased him by saying No, his eyes would fill with tears.

There was one other study besides music which took hold of him, and that was arithmetic. The floors, and walls, and chairs, and tables were covered with figures which the impulsive little scholar was using; and this is not to be wondered at, for though music seems to us often such a matter of feeling, yet we know that the science of music is very exact, and has much to do with numbers, as any one may see who notices such expressions as thirds, consecutive fifths, and the like.

As little Wolfgang grew, his father and all looked on in wonder. It seemed as if they could teach him nothing, for whatever they

told him of music, that he seemed to know already. Nevertheless the boy studied hard, practicing and composing, and led a happy life between his clavier, his figures, and his childish plays; they all seemed to be the same thing. When he was seated at the instrument he was like one in sport, and when he was busy with his games he was like one in earnest, so natural and fresh was his life. At length, when he was six years old and Nannerl eleven, his father, who had for many months given up teaching music to others that he might educate his children, determined to take a journey with them, and show the world how wonderful they were, especially his little Wolfgang. At that time a musician, if he would prosper, must attach himself to some prince, or other person of distinction; and if he was dissatisfied with his place, he must travel and seek some other patron. Mozart, the father, was not contented at Salzburg, and he wished to try his fortunes elsewhere; he wished also by travel to teach the children many things, and to bring them to the knowledge of such persons as would be likely to notice and help them. They took short journeys first, to Munich and Vienna, and encouraged by the great attention which they re

ceived, they set out on a tour which occupied them three years, during which they visited Paris and London, and travelled through Germany, Holland, France, and Switzerland, the father all the while carefully educating his children. On this tour the children performed wherever there was a court, - Wolfgang playing the clavier, the organ, and the violin; singing, playing, and composing extempore; and indeed, doing at eight or nine years, all the various things which are done by educated musicians.

Everybody was astonished at the child, and every one loved him; for little Wolfgang, while playing the most difficult music, was only doing what it was easy and natural for him to do, and he would go right from his music to his sports as if they were both alike to him. When he was in England, he was playing before a gentleman who tells how "While playing to me, a favorite cat came in, on which he left his harpsichord, nor could we bring him back for a considerable time. He would also run about the room with a stick between his legs by way of horse." Wherever they went they were treated with attention, and presents were given them, after the fashion of the day not only in money, but in the shape of snuffboxes, watches, and elegant clothes.

When they were once more in Salzburg, the troubles which always gather about reputation, began to arise. The Archbishop, who was wont to think of the musicians as his servants, was annoyed that they should be receiving honor and renown of which he had small share, and resolved that they should be still more dependent upon him; and the other musicians began to be filled with a mean jealousy of this wonderful boy, and they did all they could to make him seem less remarkable. They kept out of his way and refused to hear him play, in order that, when they were asked about him, they might say, "O, we have never heard him; we do not wish to encourage a mountebank," knowing very well that they could not thus speak of him after hearing him; but the father laid a trap for one of them.

"I had persuaded some one, quietly," he says, "to give us intelligence when he would be present, and our friend was to bring this person an extraordinary difficult concerto, which could be placed before little Wolfgang. We came together, and he had the opportunity of hearing his concerto played by Wolfgang, as if he knew it by heart. The astonishment of this composer and clavier-player, and the ex

pressions of admiration he used, confirmed all that I have stated above. He ended by saying, 'I can say no less, as an honest man, than that this boy is the greatest man in the world; it could not have been believed.'

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Still Mozart kept on studying and composing, growing more admirable as a musician every day, and keeping, too, just as boyish and full of life and merriment. He did not mind these things as his father did, who now began to lay plans for Wolfgang, that he might be freed from the necessity of living always at Salzburg. The two took a journey to Italy, and Wolfgang, who was now nearly fifteen years old, gave himself up to the life about him; he wrote music, he heard music, he visited friends who covered him with favors, and in the midst of all he was constantly writing letters home, full of fun and merry wisdom. At Milan his first opera, "Mithridates," was performed, and brought the most triumphant applause. It was church music, however, which at that time he wrote best and most freely.

For ten years now, Mozart continued to live in Salzburg, and to make journeys thence, with shifting fortune, but always pouring out his wonderful music, and suffering no trials or