On the 26th of October the mother and son set off to Mannheim.
The mother writes that Wolfgang intended to write to Augsburg,
"but he will scarcely be able to do so to-day, for he is now at
the rehearsal of the oratorio; so I must beg you to accept my
humble self instead." Wolfgang then adds:--



70.

Mannheim, Oct. 30, 1777.

I must beg you also to accept my insignificancy. I went to-day
with Herr Danner to M. Cannabich's [Director of the Elector's
orchestra]. He was uncommonly polite, and I played something for
him on his piano, which is a very good one. We went together to
the rehearsal. I could scarcely help laughing when I was
presented to the musicians, because, though some who knew me by
renomme were very civil and courteous, the rest, who knew nothing
whatever about me, stared in such a ludicrous way, evidently
thinking that because I am little and young nothing great or
mature is to be found in me; but they shall soon find it out.
Herr Cannabich is to take me himself to-morrow to Count Savioli,
the Intendant of Music. One good thing is that the Elector's
name-day is close at hand. The oratorio they are rehearsing is
Handel's, but I did not stay to hear it, for they first rehearsed
a Psalm Magnificat of the Vice-Capellmeister here, [Abbe] Vogler,
which lasted a good hour. I must now conclude, for I have still
to write to my cousin.