difficult, but very poor, al solito. The astonishment of the
Capellmeister and the organist was indescribable. I have played
my six sonatas by heart repeatedly, both here and in Munich. The
fifth in G, I played at the distinguished Casino concert, and the
last in D, which has an incomparable effect on Stein's pianos.
The pedals, pressed by the knees, are also better made by him
than by any one else; you scarcely require to touch them to make
them act, and as soon as the pressure is removed not the
slightest vibration is perceptible.

To-morrow perhaps I shall come to his organs, that is, write to
you about them, and I reserve for the last the subject of his
little daughter. When I said to Herr Stein that I should like to
play on one of his organs, as the organ was my passion, he seemed
surprised, and said, "What! such a man as you, so great a
pianist, like to play on an instrument devoid of sweetness and
expression, with no gradations from piano to forte, but always
going on the same?" "That does not signify; the organ always was,
both in my eyes and ears, the king of all instruments." "Well,
just as you please." So we went together. I could readily
perceive from his conversation that he did not expect me to do
great things on his organ, evidently thinking that I should
handle it in the style of a piano. He told me that by Schobert's
own desire he had taken him also to the organ, "and very nervous
it made me," said he, "for Schobert had told everybody, and the
church was nearly full. I did not doubt the man's spirit, fire,
and execution; still, this does not much suit the organ. But the
moment he began my opinion was entirely changed." I only said in
reply, "Do you then think, Herr Stein, that I am likely to run
wild on the organ?" "Oh! you!"--When we came to the organ-loft, I