at do these confounded boys want?' I laughed and pointed to his
own figure. 'Yes, yes! You are quite right,' he said, and hastily put on
a dressing-gown."

Moscheles's associations were even at this early period with all the
foremost people of the age, and he was cordially welcome in every
circle. He composed a good deal, besides giving concerts and playing in
private select circles, and was recognized as being the equal of Hummel,
who had hitherto been accepted as the great piano virtuoso of Vienna.
The two were very good friends in spite of their rivalry. They, as well
as all the Viennese musicians, were bound together by a common tie, very
well expressed in the saying of Moscheles: "We musicians, whatever we
be, are mere satellites of the great Beethoven, the dazzling luminary."

II.

In the autumn of 1816 Moscheles bade a sorrowful adieu to the imperial
city, where he had spent so many happy years, to undertake an extended
concert tour, armed with letters of introduction to all the courts of
Europe from Prince Lichtenstein, Countess Hardigg, and other influential
admirers. He proceeded directly to Leipzig, where he was warmly received
by the musical fraternity of that city, especially by the Wiecks, of
whose daughter Clara he speaks in highly eulogistic words. He played his
own compositions, which already began to show that serene and finished
beauty so characteristic of his after-writings. A similar success
greeted him at Dresden, where, among other concerts, he gave one before
the court. Of this entertainment Moscheles writes: "The court actually
dined (this barbarous custom still prevails), and the royal household
listened in the galleries, while I and the court band made music to
them, and barbarous it really was; but, in regard to truth, I must add
that royalty and also the lackeys kept as quiet as possible, and the
former congratulated me, and actually condescended to admit me to
friendly conversation." He continued his concerts in Munich, Augsburg,
Amsterdam, Brussels, and other cities, creating the most genuine
admiration wherever he went, and finally reached Paris in December,
1817.

Here our young artist was promptly received in the extraordinary world
of musicians, artists, authors, wits, and social celebrities which then,
as now, made Paris so delightful for those possessing the countersign of
admission. Baillot, the violinist, gave a private concert in his honor,
in which he in company with Spohr