d everything was
arranged for the London visit. Haydn was to have 300 pounds for six
symphonies and 200 pounds for the copyright of them; 200 pounds for
twenty new compositions to be produced by himself at the same number of
concerts; and 200 pounds from a benefit concert. The composer paid his
travelling expenses himself, being assisted in that matter by an advance
of 450 florins from the prince, which he refunded within the year. In
order to provide for his wife during his absence he sold his house at
Eisenstadt, the gift of Prince Nicolaus, which had been twice rebuilt
after being destroyed by fire.

Salomon sent advance notices of the engagement to London, and on the
30th of December the public were informed through the Morning Chronicle
that, immediately on his arrival with his distinguished guest, "Mr
Salomon would have the honour of submitting to all lovers of music his
programme for a series of subscription concerts, the success of which
would depend upon their support and approbation." Before leaving for
London Haydn had a tiff with the King of Naples, Ferdinand IV, who was
then in Vienna. The composer had taken him some of the works which he
had been commissioned to write, and His Majesty, thanking him for the
favour, remarked that "We will rehearse them the day after to-morrow."
"The day after to-morrow," replied Haydn, "I shall be on my way to
England." "What!" exclaimed the King, "and you promised to come to
Naples!" With which observation he turned on his heel and indignantly
left the room. Before Haydn had time to recover from his astonishment
Ferdinand was back with a letter of introduction to Prince Castelcicala,
the Neapolitan Ambassador in London; and to show further that the
misunderstanding was merely a passing affair he sent the composer later
in the day a valuable tabatiere as a token of esteem and regard.

Bonn and Beethoven

The journey to London was begun by Haydn and Salomon on the 15th of
December 1790, and the travellers arrived at Bonn on Christmas Day. It
is supposed, with good reason, that Haydn here met Beethoven, then
a youth of twenty, for the first time. Beethoven was a member of the
Electoral Chapel, and we know that Haydn, after having one of his masses
performed and being complimented by the Elector, the musical brother of
Joseph II, entertained the chief musicians at dinner at his lodgings. An
amusing description of the regale may be read in Thayer's biography
of Beethoven. Fro