with his more famous cousin Andreas and was very successful.  In 1796 they came to Vienna and gave a concert at which Beethoven assisted.  Bernhard afterward was a professor in the Paris Conservatoire and later became Kapellmeister at Berlin.  He was a composer of operas, concertos, etc.  While he and Beethoven were not in accord on the subject of musical composition, each disliking the other’s works, there is no question but that his proximity to him at Bonn, was one of the forces that had much to do with Beethoven’s artistic development.

Then there was Franz Ries, pupil of Salomon, the distinguished violinist.  Ries had already achieved fame in Vienna as soloist, and had been before the public since childhood.  He was Beethoven’s teacher, as stated.  We must not forget Neefe, Beethoven’s former teacher, who was pianist, or Simrock, all of whom formed a galaxy of virtuosi and composers unequalled by any similar organization.  Beethoven greatly profited by his association with these chosen spirits, assimilating their experiences and endeavoring to emulate them.

Thus passed a few years pleasantly enough during this formative period at Bonn, music in one form or another taking up most of his waking moments.  He fell in love a few times, first with a Mlle. de Honrath of Cologne, who visited the Von Breunings frequently and was their intimate friend.  She had a bright, lively disposition, and like a true daughter of Eve, took great pleasure in bantering him.  There was also a Miss Westerhold who made a deep impression on him.  Both were the subject of conversation by him in after years.

The visit of Haydn, who with Salomon made a short sojourn at Bonn, on their return from London to Vienna in July of 1792, gave Beethoven an opportunity for an interview with the great master, which had an important bearing on the young man’s career.  Salomon was acquainted with the Beethovens as he was a native of Bonn.  The fame of the young musician had reached his ears, and he brought about the meeting with Haydn.  Beethoven at twenty-two, had, unlike so many promising children, fulfilled the promise of his youth.  He was not only a distinguished performer:  his compositions were also attracting attention in his circle.  In honor of the distinguished guests, a breakfast was arranged at Godesburg, a resort near Bonn, at which some compositions of Beethoven’s were performed by the Elector’s orchestra.  Some of this music had been submitted to the master previously.  Haydn, who was in holiday humor, seems to have been specially attracted to it, and encouraged Beethoven to continue.

Some of the sketch-books of the Bonn period are in the British Museum, and an examination of them is of interest as it shows his method of composing.  Beethoven all through life was a hard worker and a hard taskmaster to himself.  He elaborated and worked over his first inspiration, polishing, cutting down, altering, making additions, never satisfied, always aiming after the attainment of his highest ideals, never considering himself, always placing his art first and personal comfort and convenience afterward.  This is apparent in the sketch-books of this early date.  His industry was extraordinary, although his work grew but slowly.  It was elaborated bit by bit in much the same way in which Nathaniel Hawthorne built up his romances.