quartette by Haydn.

Armed with these works, I set out in the summer on my first
journey as a musician. My sister Clara, who was married to the
singer Wolfram, had an engagement at the theatre at Magdeburg,
whither, in characteristic fashion, I set forth upon my adventure
on foot.

My short stay with my relations provided me with many experiences
of musical life. It was there that I met a new freak, whose
influence upon me I have never been able to forget. He was a
musical conductor of the name of Kuhnlein, a most extraordinary
person. Already advanced in years, delicate and, unfortunately,
given to drink, this man nevertheless impressed one by something
striking and vigorous in his expression. His chief
characteristics were an enthusiastic worship of Mozart and a
passionate depreciation of Weber. He had read only one book--
Goethe's Faust--and in this work there was not a page in which he
had not underlined some passage, and made some remark in praise
of Mozart or in disparagement of Weber. It was to this man that
my brother-in-law confided the compositions which I had brought
with me in order to learn his opinion of my abilities. One
evening, as we were sitting comfortably in an inn, old Kuhnlein
came in, and approached us with a friendly, though serious
manner.

I thought I read good news in his features, but when my brother-
in-law asked him what he thought of my work, he answered quietly
and calmly, 'There is not a single good note in it!' My brother-
in-law, who was accustomed to Kuhnlein's eccentricity, gave a