adhering to the
tonic of the former key; so that the singer, unable to find his way
in this strange region was brought to a dead stand.

"Exasperated by the laughter of those around him, Heller complained
to the elector, who (to use Beethoven's expression) 'gave him a most
gracious reprimand, and bade him not play any more such clever
tricks.'"

At Bonn young Beethoven devoted himself almost wholly to the organ.
The memories of the Rhine filled his life, which ended so sadly on
the Danube. Bonn and Beethoven are as one name to the English or
American tourist.

THE FATHER OF ORGAN MUSIC.

Bach, the greatest organist and composer of organ music of the last
century, was born at Eisenach, 1685, and had truly a remarkable
history. His art was born in him. He wrote because he must write,
and sung because he must sing.

His father was a court musician, and had a twin brother who occupied
the same situation, and so much resembled him that their wives could
not tell them apart. These twin brothers produced music nearly
alike; their dispositions were identical; when one was ill, the
other was so likewise, and both died at the same time.

John Sebastian Bach was the brightest ornament of this music-loving
family. His parents died in his boyhood, and his musical education
was undertaken by his eldest brother, a distinguished organist. He
fed on music as food.

An incident will show his spirit. He was eager to play more
difficult music than his brother assigned. He noticed that his
brother had a book of especially difficult pieces; and he begged to
be allowed to use it, but was denied. This book was kept locked in a
cupboard, which had an opening just wide enough to admit the boy's
thin hand. He was able to reach it, and, by rolling it in a certain
way, to bring it out and replace it without unlocking the door. He
began to copy it by moonlight, as no candle was allowed him in the
evening, and in six months had reproduced in this manner the whole
of the music. About this time his brother died, and the friendless
lad engaged himself as a choir-singer, which gave him a temporary
support.

Organ-music became a passion with him. He determined, at whatever
sacrifice, to make himself the master of the instrument. He might go
hungry, lose the delights of society; but the first organist in
Germany he would be: nothing should be allowed to stand in th