plished amateur,
and played the piano and violoncello with more than ordinary skill. He
was In his ninth year Liszt played for the first noblemen encouraged him
to continue his studies, and guaranteed him sufficient to defray the
expenses of six years' tuition. He went to Vienna at once and studied the
piano with Czerny, besides taking lessons in composition from Salieri and
Randhartinger. It was while in that city that his first composition, a
variation on a waltz of Diabelli, appeared. In 1823 he went to Paris,
hoping to secure admission to the Conservatory; but Cherubini refused it
on account of his foreign origin, though Cherubini himself was a
foreigner. Nothing daunted, young Liszt continued his studies with Reicha
and Paer, and two years afterwards brought out a one-act opera entitled
"Don Sancho," which met with a very cordial reception. The slight he had
received from Cherubini aroused popular sympathy for him. His wonderful
playing attracted universal attention and gained him admission into the
most brilliant Parisian salons. He soon became known as the
"wonder-child," and was a favorite with every one, especially with the
ladies. For two or three years he made artistic tours through France,
Switzerland, and England, accompanied by his father, and everywhere met
with the most brilliant success. In 1827 the father died, leaving him
alone in the world; but good fortune was on his side. During his stay in
Paris he had made the friendship of Victor Hugo, George Sand, Lamartine,
and other great lights in literature and music, and their influence
prepared the way for his permanent success. Notwithstanding that he was
in many senses a Bohemian and a man of the world, he had a strong
religious tendency. For a time he became deeply interested in the
doctrines of Saint-Simon; but his adherence to that system did not last
long. He speedily returned to the Roman Church, and some years afterwards
went to Rome, at the suggestion of the Pontiff took orders, and set
himself about the work of reforming the church music,--a task, however,
which he soon abandoned; too many obstacles stood in his way. He expected
to become Capellmeister at the Sistine Chapel; but, as he himself said:
"I was thwarted by the lack of culture among the cardinals; and besides,
most of the princes of the Church were Italian." The Abbe was soon in
Germany again, where he resided until the close of his life. From 1839 to
1847 he travelled from one city to