sorry to say that Wolfgang's Serenata has totally eclipsed
Hasse's opera."] Fortunately I know all the airs thoroughly by
heart, so I can see and hear them in my own thoughts at home.



40.

Milan, Nov. 24, 1771.

DEAREST SISTER,--

Herr Manzuoli, the musico, who has always been considered and
esteemed as the best of his class, has in his old age given a
proof of his folly and arrogance. He was engaged at the opera for
the sum of 500 gigliati (ducats), but as no mention was made in
the contract of the Serenata, he demanded 500 ducats more for
singing in it, making 1000. The court only sent him 700 and a
gold box, (and enough too, I think,) but he returned the 700
ducats and the box, and went away without anything. I don't know
what the result of this history will be--a bad one, I fear!



41.

Milan, Nov. 30, 1771.

That you may not suppose I am ill, I write you a few lines. I saw
four fellows hanged in the Dom Platz. They hang here just as they