After he married, he went to live in Vienna. Here he became acquainted with Joseph Haydn, and the two musicians were soon warm friends.

Haydn could appreciate to the full the greatness of Mozart. He said to Mozart's aged father: "I declare to you, on the faith of an honest man, that your son is the greatest composer who ever lived."

Mozart was always poor. Although his music was applauded and enjoyed by crowds of people, he was never well paid for it. Rich nobles gave him costly watches and silver snuff-boxes, but no money. The great musician often suffered from cold and hunger.

He died young, but his name will live forever. Papa Haydn used to say sadly in his old age: "The playing of Mozart! I can never forget it. It always went to the heart."

X.

MOZART'S VISITOR

One day there came to Mozart's house in Vienna a homely, overgrown youth of seventeen. To the servant at the door he explained that he was a student of music. He wished to see the great master for a few moments.

Mozart happened to be entertaining some friends. While the shy country boy waited, he heard laughter and voices in the next room, and occasionally a few notes of music. The boy's eyes brightened at the sound, but

nervousness.

his breath came hard and his hands were trembling with Could it be possible that he would soon see the greatest musician who had ever lived? For years he had hoped for this meeting. Now at last his dream was coming true.

Suddenly the door was pushed open and Mozart entered He was an attractive young man with a very His smile was so kind that the shy boy

the room. courtly manner.

took courage.

"I understand that you are a musician, my friend," said Mozart pleasantly. "I am always interested in young musicians. What is your name?"

"Ludwig van Beethoven," replied the boy.

Mozart asked a few more questions and then said: "Let me hear you play."

Mozart's mind was full of a new opera which he had just written. He stood and listened, good-naturedly but rather absent-mindedly, while young Beethoven played. The great composer thought that the boy had simply been trained for this particular occasion.

Beethoven saw that the important visit was not going to end well. At that moment success meant everything to him.

"Give me a subject yourself, sir," he cried, "and you will see what I can do with it!"

He seemed so anxious and unhappy that kind-hearted Mozart took pity on him. He gave Beethoven a theme.

The boy began eagerly to improvise, that is, to compose his music as he played. His awkwardness and shyness were forgotten. He tossed back his shock of tumbled hair and his eyes shone.

Mozart listened in surprise to the brilliant, powerful playing. As Beethoven went on, the music grew more and more beautiful. Mozart stepped softly to the door and beckoned to his friends. They came on tiptoe into the room where Beethoven was playing.

"Pay attention to that boy," whispered Mozart excitedly. "Some day he will make the world speak of him."

Ludwig van Beethoven was born at Bonn, a German city on the banks of the picturesque river Rhine. His childhood was very different from the happy childhood of Mozart. Little Mozart was taught by a wise, loving father. He was petted and admired by the great people of many lands.

He was a

Beethoven's father was harsh and brutal. singer, but he had no real love for music. He remembered the fame of young Mozart,

"My boy too shall be a child musician," he said. "He will be another Mozart and he will make me rich!"

So poor little Ludwig had to practice for many weary hours every day. His muscles used to ache with the strain, and often tears streamed down his cheeks. When he refused to practice any longer his father beat him cruelly.