In 1838 Mme. Sand’s son Maurice became ill, and she proposed a trip to Majorca.  Chopin went with the party and fell ill himself.  There were many discomforts during their travels, due to bad weather and other inconveniences.

Chopin’s health now began to be a source of anxiety to his friends.  He had to be very careful, gave fewer lessons during the season, and spent his vacations at Nohant.  He played rarely in public, though there were two public concerts in 1841 and ’42 at Pleyel’s rooms.  From 1843 to 1847 he lived quietly and his life was apparently happy.  He was fond of the Sand children, and amused himself with them when at Nohant.

But the breach, which had started some years before, between Mme. Sand and Chopin, widened as time passed, and they parted in 1847.  It was the inevitable, of course.  Chopin never had much to say about it; Sand said more, while the students asserted she had killed their beloved master.  Probably it all helped to undermine the master’s feeble health.  His father passed away in 1844, his sister also, of pulmonary trouble; he was lonely and ill himself.  He gave his last concert in Paris, February 16, 1848.  Though weak he played beautifully.  Some one said he fainted in the artist’s room.  The loss of Sand, even though he had long wearied of her was the last drop.

To secure rest and change, he undertook a trip to London, for the second and last time, arriving April 21, 1848.  He played at different great houses and gave two matinees, at the homes of Adelaide Kemble and Lord Falmouth, June 23, and July 7.  These were attended by many titled personages.  Viardot Garcia sang.  The composer was thin, pale, and played with “wasted fingers,” but the money helped replenish his depleted purse.

Chopin visited Scotland in August of the same year, and stayed with his pupil Miss Jane Stirling, to whom he dedicated the two Nocturnes, Op. 55.  He played in Manchester, August 28; his playing was rather weak, but retained all its elegance, finish and grace.  He was encored for his familiar Mazurka, Op. 7, No. 1, and repeated it with quite different nuances.  One survivor of this audience remarked subsequently in a letter to a friend:  “My emotion was so great I was compelled to retire to recover myself.  I have heard all the celebrated stars of the musical firmament, but never has one left such an impression on my mind.”

Chopin returned to London in November, and left England in January 1849.  His purse was very low and his lodgings in the Rue Chaillot, Paris, were represented as costing half their value, the balance being paid by a Russian Countess, who was touched by his need.  The generous hearted Miss Stirling raised 25,000 francs for the composer, so his last days were cheered by every comfort.  He passed away October 17, 1849, and every writer agrees it was a serene passing.  His face was beautiful and young, in the flower-covered casket, says Liszt, for friends filled his rooms with