yet in his early youth,
in Schumann, Chopin, and Liszt. Imagination in its higher functions he
seemed to lack. A certain opulence and picturesqueness of fancy united
in his artistic being with an intelligence both lucid and penetrating,
and a sense of form and symmetry almost Greek in its fastidiousness. The
sweet, vague, passionate aspiration^, the sensibility that quivers
with every breath of movement from the external world, he could not
understand. Placidity, grace, and repose he had in perfection. Yet he
was very highly appreciated by those who had little in common with his
artistic nature. As, for example, Robert Schumann writes of Thalberg and
his playing, on the occasion of a charity concert, given in Leipzig in
1841: "In his passing flight the master's pinions rested here awhile,
and, as from the angel's pinions in one of Rucker's poems, rubies and
other precious stones fell from them and into indigent hands, as the
master ordained it. It is difficult to say anything new of one who has
been so praise beshow-ered as he has. But every earnest virtuoso is glad
to hear one thing said at any time--that he has progressed in his
art since he last delighted us. This best of all praise we are
conscientiously able to bestow on Thalberg; for, during the last two
years that we have not heard him, he has made astonishing additions to
his acquirements, and, if possible, moves with greater boldness, grace,
and freedom than ever. His playing seemed to have the same effect on
every one, and the delight that he probably feels in it himself was
shared by all. True virtuosity gives us something more than mere
flexibility and execution: aman may mirror his own nature in it, and in
Thalberg's playing it becomes clear to all that he is one of the favored
ones of fortune, one accustomed to wealth and elegance. Accompanied
by happiness, bestowing pleasure, he commenced his career; under such
circumstances he has so far pursued it, and so he will probably continue
it. The whole of yesterday evening and every number that he played gave
us a proof of this. The public did not seem to be there to judge, but
only to enjoy; they were as certain of enjoyment as the master was of
his art."

Thalberg in his appearance had none of the traditional wild
picturesqueness of style and manner which so many distinguished artists,
even Liszt himself, have thought it worth while to carry perhaps to
the degree of affectation. Smoothly shaven, quiet, emine