finish a work already so nearly finished by you."
He would pay 4 ducats for each air rather than have the mortification
of a refusal. After this there is little of interest to note in the
correspondence, unless it be a very "previous" letter of condolence
which Thomson sent to Vienna. A false rumour had reached him that Haydn
was dead. The following extract from a note which Haydn dictated to
be sent to the friend who received Thomson's letter will explain the
matter:

Kindly say to Mr Thomson that Haydn is very sensible of the distress
that the news of his alleged death has caused him, and that this sign of
affection has added, if that were possible, to the esteem and friendship
he will always entertain for Mr Thomson. You will notice that he has put
his name and the date on the sheet of music to give better proof that he
is still on this nether world. He begs you at the same time to be kind
enough to have Mr Thomson's letter of condolence copied and to send him
the copy.

Haydn's experience in this way was perhaps unique. Burney says he was
reported dead in 1778; and the false rumour which reached Thomson in
1805 led Cherubini to compose a sacred cantata for three voices and
orchestra, which was duly performed in Paris when his death actually
occurred.

Haydn furnished in all some 250 airs with symphonies and accompaniments
for Thomson. In the packet of letters from the composer, docketed by
Thomson himself, the latter has placed a slip of paper indicating the
various payments he had made. According to this statement Haydn had
291 pounds, 18s. for his work from first to last--not by any means an
insignificant sum to make out of a side branch of his art.

Eventide

This interesting correspondence takes us up to the year 1806, by which
time Haydn's work was entirely over. His eventide, alas! was darkened by
the clouds of war. The wave of the French Revolution had cast its bloody
spray upon the surrounding nations, and 1805 saw the composer's beloved
Vienna occupied by the French. Haydn was no politician, but love of
country lay deep down in his heart, and he watched the course of events,
from his little cottage, with the saddest forebodings.

The Last Public Appearance

Once only was he drawn from his seclusion. This was on the 27th of March
1808, when he appeared in public for the last time at a performance of
"The Creation" at the University. The scene on this remarkable occasion
has been described by many p