and Italian music being everywhere dominant. Wagner, on the
contrary, was privileged to see the promise of the fulfillment of
his strivings in the light of the German victories of 1870-1871.
When the genius of Germany soared aloft she carried Wagner with
her; Wagner's days of glory in August, 1876, were conditioned by
the great war with France. How insignificant must the patronage
of Joseph II, scantily enough bestowed on Mozart in comparison
with that showered on Salieri, appear, when we recall the
Maecenas Ludwig II.



109. "Frequently I fall into a mood of complete listlessness and
indifference; nothing gives me great pleasure. The most
stimulating and encouraging thought is that you, dearest father,
and my dear sister, are well, that I am an honest German, and
that if I am not always permitted to talk I can think what I
please; but that is all."

(Paris, May 29, 1778, to his father.)

110. "The Duke de Guines was utterly without a sense of honor and
thought that here was a young fellow, and a stupid German to
boot,--as all Frenchmen think of the Germans,--he'll be glad to
take it. But the stupid German was not glad and refused to take
the money. For two lessons he wanted to pay me the fee of one."

(Paris, July 31, 1778, to his father. Mozart had given lessons in
composition to the Duke's daughter. See No. 51.)