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so as to be read at all times one exactly under the other, but often in a desultory manner.
Suppose then, a capital speech in Shakespeare[1] never seen before, and yet read by a child of eight years old, with all the pathetic energy of a Garrick.
Let it be conceived likewise, that the same child is reading, with a glance of his eye, three different comments on this speech tending to its illustration; and that one comment is written in Greek, the second in Hebrew, and the third in Etruscan characters.
Let it be also supposed, that by different signs he could point out which comment is most material upon every word; and sometimes that perhaps all three are so, at others only two of them.
When all this is conceived, it will convey some idea of what this boy was capable of, in singing such a duet at sight in a masterly manner from the score, throwing in at the same time all its proper accompaniments.
When he had finished the duet, he expressed himself highly in its approbation, asking with some eagerness whether I had brought any more such music.
Having been informed, however, that he was often visited with musical ideas, to which, even in the midst of the night, he would give utterance on his harpsichord; I told his father that I should be glad to hear some of his extemporary compositions.
The father shook his head at this, saying, that it depended entirely upon his being as it were musically
- ↑ The words in Metastasio's duet, which little Mozart sung, are very pathetic.
