ble entreaty on
the son's part. He was a devoted member of the Church and entertained a
deep reverence for its forms. The Church then, as now, was hostile to all
secret orders, and was particularly inimical to the Masons because they
had attacked certain alleged abuses in the cloisters. His prejudices were
overcome, however, and he soon became as ardent a devotee of Masonry as
his son. It formed one of the principal subjects of their correspondence;
but unfortunately all these letters were destroyed by the cautious father
a short time before his death, which occurred May 28, 1787. In only one
letter do we find reference to the subject, and that in a guarded manner.
On the 3d of April of that year Mozart heard of his father's illness, and
the next day he writes to him:--

"I have this moment heard tidings which distress me exceedingly, and
the more so that your last letter led me to suppose you were so well;
but I now hear that you are really ill. I need not say how anxiously I
shall long for a better report of you to comfort me, and I do hope to
receive it, though I am always prone to anticipate the worst. As death
(when closely considered) is the true goal of our life, I have made
myself so thoroughly acquainted with this good and faithful friend of
man, that not only has its image no longer anything alarming to me, but
rather something most peaceful and consolatory; and I thank my Heavenly
Father that He has vouchsafed to grant me the happiness, _and has given
me the opportunity (you understand me), to learn that it is the key to
our true felicity_."

Mozart's membership in the order began at an opportune time for him.
Though at the height of his fame he was at the very lowest depth of his
finances; and both in 1787 and 1789, though he was Imperial Chamber
Musician and his opera "Don Giovanni" was having a successful run, he was
obliged to apply repeatedly to his friend and brother Mason, the merchant
Puchberg of Vienna, for loans, and also to Herr Hofdaemmel, who was about
to become a Mason upon Mozart's solicitation. During the short remainder
of his life he was devotedly attached to the order, and he was buried in
the dress of the brotherhood; but, strange to say, not one of the members
accompanied their illustrious associate to the grave.

Four of Mozart's works were directly inspired by Masonry. In 1785 he
wrote a simple but beautiful lodge song for voice, with piano
accompaniment ("Die