and realize how distasteful was the daily round of school work, and how he longed to have it over, that he might put on paper all the lovely themes that had come to him through the school day.  Other bright spots were the happy hours he spent with the Grob family, who lived also in the district of Lichtenthal.  The family consisted of a mother, a son and daughter.  They were all musical.  Therese Grob had a fine voice and she enjoyed the songs Schubert brought her to sing, while her brother Heinrich could play both piano and ’cello.  Many evenings filled with music were passed by the young people.  His friends at the Convict too, welcomed each new piece he wrote.  Nor did he forget his old master Holzer, the organist of the little church where the composer himself regularly attended.  During 1814, Schubert composed his first mass, which was performed October 16.  It excited so much interest that it was repeated ten days later at the Augustine church.  Franz conducted, the choir was led by Holzer, Ferdinand sat at the organ, and Therese sang the soprano solos.  In the audience sat old Salieri, Court Capellmeister of Vienna, with whom Beethoven had studied.  Salieri praised Schubert for his work, and said that he should become his pupil.  He kept his word and gave the young composer daily lessons for some time.  The father was so proud and happy that he bought a five octave piano for his boy, to celebrate the event.

Schubert added many compositions to his list this year, among them seventeen songs, including “Gretchen at the Spinning Wheel.”  His acquaintance with the poet Johann Mayrhofer, with whom he soon became intimate, was of benefit to both.  The poet produced verses that his friend might set to music.  The following year, 1815, he wrote a hundred and thirty-seven songs, to say nothing of six operas, and much music for church and piano.  Twenty-nine of these songs were written in the month of August.  One day in August eight songs were created; on another day seven.  Some of the songs were quite long, making between twenty and thirty pages when printed.

A new friend came into Schubert’s life the next year.  His name was Franz Schober, and he intended entering the University in Vienna.  Being a great lover of music and also familiar with some of Schubert’s manuscript songs, he lost no time, on arriving in Vienna, in seeking out the composer.  He found the young musician at his desk very busily writing.  School work was over for the day, and he could compose in peace.  The two young men became friends at once, for they felt the sympathetic bond between them.  They were soon talking as though they had always known each other.  In a few words Schubert told his new friend how he was situated at home, and how he disliked the daily drudgery of school teaching.  On hearing of these trials Schober suggested they should make a home together, which arrangement would free the composer from the grinding life he was living and enable him to give his whole time to his art.  The proposal delighted Franz, and the father willingly gave his consent.  And so it came about that the composer was free at last, and took up his abode at his friend’s lodgings.  He insisted on giving him musical instruction, to make some return for all his kindness, though this did not last long, owing to the dislike Franz always had for teaching of any sort.