Mamma cannot write; in the first place, she is not inclined, and, secondly, she has a headache.  So I must hold the pen for her and keep faith with her.  I am just going with the Professor to call on Madlle.  Keiserin.  Yesterday we had in our house a clerical wedding, or altum tempus ecclesiasticum.  There was dancing, but I only danced four minuets, and was in my own room again by eleven o’clock, for, out of fifty young ladies, there was only one who danced in time—­Madlle.  Kaser, a sister of Count Perusa’s secretary.  The Professor thought fit to leave me in the lurch, so I did not go to Madlle.  Keiserin, because I don’t know where she lives.  Last Saturday, the 4th, on the stately and solemn occasion of the name-day of his Royal Highness the Archduke Albert, we had a select music-party at home, which commenced at half-past three o’clock and finished at eight.  M. Dubreil, whom papa no doubt remembers, was also present; he is a pupil of Tartini’s.  In the forenoon he gave a lesson on the violin to the youngest son, Carl, and I chanced to come in at the time, I never gave him credit for much talent, but I saw that he took great pains in giving his lesson; and when we entered into conversation about violin, concert, and orchestral playing, he reasoned very well, and was always of my opinion, so I retracted my former sentiments with regard to him, and was persuaded that I should find him play well in time, and a correct violinist in the orchestra.  I, therefore, invited him to be so kind as to attend our little music rehearsal that afternoon.  We played, first of all, the two quintets of Haydn, but to my dismay I could scarcely hear Dubreil, who could not play four continuous bars without a mistake.  He could never find the positions, and he was no good friend to the sospirs [short pauses].  The only good thing was that he spoke politely and praised the quintets; otherwise—­As it was, I said nothing to him, but he kept constantly saying himself, “I beg your pardon, but really I am out again! the thing is puzzling, but fine!” I invariably replied, “It does not in the least signify; we are only among ourselves.”  I then played the concertos in C, in B, and in E flat, and after that a trio of mine.  This was finely accompanied, truly!  In the adagio I was obliged to play six bars of his part.  As a finale, I played my last divertimento in B; they all pricked up their ears.  I played as if I had been the greatest violin-player in all Europe.

The Sunday after, at three o’clock, we were at a certain Herr von Hamm’s.  The Bishop of Chiemsee set off to-day for Salzburg.  N. B.—­I send my sister, by him, “6 duetti a clavicembalo e violino,” by Schuster.  I have often played them here; they are by no means bad.  If I remain long enough, I intend to compose six in this style, for it is much liked here.

64.

Munich, Oct. 11, 1777.