respect.  As to our return home, it is not likely to be soon, nor should mamma wish it, for she must know well what a good thing it is to have a little breathing time.  We shall come quite soon enough to——.  One most just and undeniable reason is, that my opera is to be given again on Friday next, and I am very necessary at the performance, or it might be difficult to recognize it again.  There are very odd ways here. 1000 kisses to Miss Bimberl [the dog].

The Archbishop of Salzburg, who was very reluctant to admit the merits of his Concertmeister, was an involuntary witness of the universal approbation bestowed on Wolfgang’s opera, although he would not go to hear it himself.  On the 18th of January, 1775, Wolfgang added the following lines to his father’s letter:—­

57.

My dear sister,

[Footnote:  Nannerl had not yet gone home, but was enjoying the Carnival in various masks.]

How can I help the clock choosing at this moment to strike a quarter after seven o’clock?  It is not papa’s fault either.  Mamma will hear all the rest from you.  At present there is no fair sailing for me, as the Archbishop is staying here, though not for long.  It is currently reported that he is to remain till he sets off again!  I only regret that he is not to see the first masked ball.

Your faithful Franz v.  NASENBLUT.

Milan, May 5, 1756.

Immediately after Ash Wednesday the trio returned to Salzburg, where Mozart remained uninterruptedly for another year and a half, actively engaged in the duties of his situation.  He wrote the following letter on the 4th of September, 1776, to the celebrated Pater Martini in Bologna:—­

58.

Molto REVDO PADE maestro, padrone mio stimatissimo,-

La venerazione, la stima e il rispetto, che porto verso la di lei degnissima persona mi spinse di incommodarla colle presente e di mandargli un debole pezzo di mia musica, rimmettendola alla di lei maestrale giudicatura.  Scrissi l’anno scorso il Carnevale una opera buffa ("La finta Giardiniera”) a Monaco in Baviera.  Pochi giorni avanti la mia partenza di la desiderava S. A. Elletorale di sentire qualche mia musica in contrapunto:  era adunque obligato di scriver questo Motetto in fretta per dar tempo a copiar il spartito per Sua Altezza ed a cavar le parti per poter produrlo la prossima domenica sotto la Messa grande in tempo del Offertorio.  Carissimo e stimatissimo Sigr.  P. Maestro!  Lei e ardentemente pregato di dirmi francamente e senza riserva il di lei parere.  Viviamo in questo mondo per imparare sempre industriosamente, e per mezzo dei raggionamenti di illuminarsi l’un l’altro e d’affatigarsi di portar via sempre avanti le scienze e le belle arti.  Oh quante e quante volte desidero d’esser piu vicino per poter parlar e raggionar con Vostra Paternita molto Revda.  Vivo in una paese dove la musica fa pocchissimo