111. "An Italian ape, such as he is, who has lived in German
countries and eaten German bread for years, ought to speak
German, or mangle it, as well or ill as his French mouth will
permit."

(Said of the violoncellist Duport, the favorite of King William
I, of Prussia, in 1789, when Mozart was in Berlin and Duport
asked him to speak French.)

112. "I pray God every day to give me grace to remain steadfast
here, that I may do honor to myself and the entire German nation,
to His greater honor and glory, and that He permit me to make my
fortune so that I may help you out of your sorry condition, and
bring it to pass that we soon meet again and live together in
happiness and joy. But His will be done on earth as in heaven."

(Paris, May 1, 1778, to his father who had plunged himself in
debt and was giving lessons in order to promote the career of his
son. His sister also helped nobly.)

113. "If this were a place where the people had ears, hearts to
feel, and a modicum of musical understanding and taste, I should
laugh heartily at all these things; as it is I am among nothing
but cattle and brutes (so far as music is concerned). How should
it be otherwise since they are the same in all their acts and
passions? There is no place like Paris. You must not think
that I exaggerate when I talk thus of music. Turn to whom you
please,--except to a born Frenchman,--you shall hear the same
thing, provided you can find some one to turn to. Now that I am
here I must endure out of regard for you. I shall thank God