The concert of the good Hiller, who is a pupil of Hummel and a youth of great talent, came off very successfully the day before yesterday.  A symphony of his was received with much applause.  He has taken Beethoven for his model, and his work is full of poesy and inspiration.

Since then the two had become more intimate, seeing each other almost every day, Chopin, as Osborne relates, being always in good spirits when Hiller was with him.  The bearer of the said letter was Mr. Johns, to whom the five Mazurkas, Op. 7, are dedicated, and whom Chopin introduced to Hiller as “a distinguished amateur of New Orleans.”  After warmly recommending this gentleman, he excuses himself for not having acknowledged the receipt of his friend’s letter, which procured him the pleasure of Paul Mendelssohn’s acquaintance, and then proceeds:—­

Your trios, my dear friend, have been finished for a long time, and, true to my character of a glutton, I have gulped down your manuscripts into my repertoire.  Your concerto will be performed this month by Adam’s pupils at the examination of the Conservatoire.  Mdlle.  Lyon plays it very well.  La Tentation, an opera-ballet by Halevy and Gide, has not tempted any one of good taste, because it has just as little interest as your German Diet harmony with the spirit of the age.  Maurice, who has returned from London, whither he had gone for the mise en scene of Robert (which has not had a very great success), has assured us that Moscheles and Field will come to Paris for the winter.  This is all the news I have to give you.  Osborne has been in London for the last two months.  Pixis is at Boulogne.  Kalkbrenner is at Meudon, Rossini at Bordeaux.  All who know you await you with open arms.  Liszt will add a few words below.  Farewell, dear friend.

   Yours most truly,

   F. Chopin.

   Paris, 2/8/32

CHAPTER XVI.

1832-1834.

Chopin’s success in society and as A teacher.—­Various concerts at which he played.—­A letter from Chopin and Liszt to Hiller.—­ Some of his friends.—­Strange behaviour.—­A letter to Franchomme.- -Chopin’s reserve.—­Some traits of the polish character.—­Field.- -Berlioz.—­Neo-romanticism and Chopin’s relation to it.—­What influence had Liszt on Chopin’s development—­publication of works.—­The critics.—­Increasing popularity.—­Journey in the company of Hiller to Aix-la-chapelle.—­A day at Dusseldorf with Mendelssohn.