They are accustomed to the drumming of the native pianoforte virtuosos.  I fear that the newspapers will reproach me with the same thing, especially as the daughter of an editor is said to drum frightfully.  However, it does not matter; as this cannot be helped, I would rather that people say I play too delicately than too roughly.

When Count Moritz Lichnowski, to whom Chopin was introduced by Wurfel, learned after the first concert that the young virtuoso was going to play again, he offered to lend him his own piano for the occasion, for he thought Chopin’s feebleness of tone was owing to the instrument he had used.  But Chopin knew perfectly the real state of the matter:  “This is my manner of playing, which pleases the ladies so very much.”  Chopin was already then, and remained all his life, nay, even became more and more, the ladies’ pianist par excellence.  By which, however, I do not mean that he did not please the men, but only that no other pianist was equally successful in touching the most tender and intimate chords of the female heart.  Indeed, a high degree of refinement in thought and feeling combined with a poetic disposition are indispensable requisites for an adequate appreciation of Chopin’s compositions and style of playing.  His remark, therefore, that he had captivated the learned and the poetic natures, was no doubt strictly correct with regard to his success in Vienna; but at the same time it may be accepted as a significant foreshadowing of his whole artistic career.  Enough has now been said of these performances, and, indeed, too much, were it not that to ascertain the stage of development reached by an original master, and the effect which his efforts produced on his artistically-cultivated contemporaries, are objects not undeserving a few pages of discussion.

During the twenty days which Chopin spent in Vienna he displayed great activity.  He was always busy, and had not a moment to spare.  His own public performances did not make him neglect those of others.  He heard the violinist Mayseder twice, and went to representations of Boieldieu’s “La Dame blanche,” Rossini’s “Cenerentola,” Meyerbeer’s “Crociato in Egitto,” and other operas.  He also visited the picture gallery and the museum of antiquities, delivered letters of introduction, made acquaintances, dined and drank tea with counts and countesses, &c.  Wherever Chopin goes we are sure to see him soon in aristocratic and in Polish society.

Everybody says that I have pleased the nobility here exceedingly The Schwarzenbergs, Wrbnas, &c., were quite enraptured by the delicacy and elegance of my playing.  As a further proof I may mention the visit which Count Dietrichstein paid me on the stage.

Chopin called repeatedly on the “worthy old gentleman” Count Hussarzewski and his “worthy lady,” with whom he dined once, and who wished him to stay for dinner when he made his farewell call.  With the Countess Lichnowska and her daughter he took