"Mr. Garrick came to me one morning in a violent hurry, and, without even his usual salutation, abruptly exclaimed-" My dear friend, the Doctor is in want, you must instantly do me a favour; come, come, put on your hat, and without delay go to Dr. Johnson's lodgings, and present him with these bank-notes, but on your life do not mention from whom you had them." The amount, Mr. Wallis remarked, was by no means inconsiderable.

"In compliance with his request," continued Mr. Wallis, "I instantly waited on the Doctor, and being announced, was ushered into his apartment; having prefaced my errand with as much delicacy as possible, I presented the notes, which the Doctor received with much agitation, and after a few moments, wiping away the tears that involuntarily rose in his eyes, he pressed my hand between his with energy, exclaiming, Mr. Wallis, I know from whence this comes; tell Mr. Garrick that his kindness is almost too much for me: tell him also, that I shall never be enabled to repay this, much less what I have before received at his hands. A few months after this donation the Doctor died."

ACCOUNT OF THE LATE CELEBRATED
MOZART.

For the following account of the singular talents of the celebrated performer, Mozart, the public are indebted to that eminent musician, Mr. John Ashley, who thus prefaces the interesting memoir

SO little is the merit or the history of this most extraordinary character known in this country, that I have been induced by a sense of duty, as well as gratitude to a generous public, to compile a short sketch of his life, partly from German biographers and periodical publications, and partly from the information of those who were personally acquainted with him. Should it afford the smallest entertainment to that public, I shall be amply gratified.

I have the honour to be,
With the deepest sense of past favours,
Its devoted humble servant,
JOHN ASHLEY.

Feb. 20, 1801.

Ostendent terris hunc tantum fata, neque ultra
Esse sinent.

MOZART

VIRGIL'S ENEID, 6, line 869.

was born at Salsburg, in 1756—his father was a musician of considerable merit; and observed at a very early age, an extraordinary love of harmony in his son. For when only three years of age, he would sit and listen to his sister, as she practised on the harpsichord, with great attention, for a length of time. When she left it, he would endeavour to find out the chords, and would express the greatest joy at his success. He soon ac

quired a variety of airs, and performed them in so charming a style, that his father began to form the most agreeable expectations of his future celebrity.

Before he reached his sixth year, he had composed several sonatas for the harpsichord, although it is said he was unable to commit them to paper; which deficiency was supplied by his father. Mornng, noon, and night, found him at his harpsi chord, or occasionally at the violin, on which, though self-taught, he made no mean progress. All his soul seemed absorbed in this delightful study. The toys and playthings which please most childeren, had no attraction for him. Music only had charms for his wonderful imagination—and he pressed forward to the perfection of his art, not by gradual advances, but as it were by the velocity of intuition.

In the year 1762, when only six years old, he performed a concerto before the elector at Munich, which astonished the whole court. From hence his father carried him to Vienna, when he played before the emperor, who, willing to try the child's abilities further, hinted that he could not play so well, if he did not constantly look at his fingers. The little fellow, fired at the insinuation, requested the keys might be concealed from his sight, and exerted himself with increased effect.. In short, his execution and music appeared so wonderful, that his Imperial Majesty was beyond measure delighted, and bestowed on him an appellation of the little Sorcerer. In 1763 he visited Paris, where he performed before the court, and was thought greater on the organ than on the harpsichord. Here his father, sister, and himself, gave two concerts with so much reputation, that their portraits were painted, engraved, and eagerly sought after; and here also he first published some of his earliest compositions.

London, the centre of liberal patronage, next heard his amazing powers, where he and his sister performed to the most fashionable audiences. His present majesty is said to have been his auditor, when a bass was given him as a ground, upon which he immediately raised a most exquisite melody.

From London, where he published six lessons for the harpsichord, he passed into Holland and France, and from thence to his native place. After a year spent in study, and in the examination of the compositions of Emanuel Bach, Handel, and the old Italian masters, he paid a second visit to Vienna in 1768 when he composed, at the express desire of Joseph II. his first comic opera La Finta Semplice, which gained the unqualified applause of the best judges-about this time also he composed the music for the consecration of the church of orphans, which he himself conducted.

In 1769, Mozart returned to Salzburg, where he was appointed Maitre de Concert. Some time after, he set off for Italy, the school of taste and enthusiasm. Bologna admired and applauded genius so unrivalled-and Florence extolled him to the skies. At Rome he wished to have taken a copy of the celebrated Miserere from the Pope's chapel, but this being refused, he examined it with a quick eye, and afterwards in his chamber wrote out the whole of the numerous parts from memory only!

The Pope bestowed on him the order of the Guilt Spur, and Bolognia complimented him with the title of Member and Master of the Phil-harmonic Academy. The probationary exercise for which honour, a fugue for four voices, he wrote in half an hour. He aftewards visited Naples. He generally wore a fine diamond ring when he performed in public. Some of the Neapolitan ladies observed to

him, that his music must be the effect of magic, and that it lay in his ring. Taking that in the literal sense which was meant only as a compliment, he immediately took off his ring, and soon convinced that the magic lay only in his own unrivalled genius. In passing, on his return through Rome, the Pope presented him with a very valuable crucifix.

At Milan he composed his opera of Mithridates, which was much admired, and again went back to Salzburgh. In 1771 he made a second excursion to Paris, where, however, his stay was short. In 1773 he composed Lucio Sulla, by request, for the carnival. In 1781, being now twenty-five years of age he composed, at the desire of the Elector of Bavaria, the celebrated opera of Idomeneo, for the carnival of that year also, which has merit enough in itself to have rendered the author illustrious.

He was now invited to Vienna, where his merit soon outshone the most brilliant of his rivals. The rapidity of his exquisite taste and feeling, were beyond all praise. His compositions were circulated far and wide, and every where astonished by their originality, expression, and energy. His next work was l'Enlevement du Serail.. During the composition of this opera, he married Mademoiselle Weber, a lady of great musical talents and genius and to this circumstance has been attributed that peculiar tone of tender passion, for which this piece is so remarkable.

:

The story of the Marriage of Figaro, which filled at this time most of the theatres, was converted into an opera, and composed by Mozart, at the instance of the emperor; the songs of which were vociferated in the streets, the gardens, and the taverns, and it was performed at Prague during the greatest part of the winter. Here the manager of