ead all this. But how far Haydn's feelings towards Pleyel
were influenced by patriotic considerations it is impossible to say.

The defeated Professionals had a certain advantage by being first in
the field in 1792. But Haydn was only a few days behind them with his
opening concert, and the success of the entire series was in no way
affected by the ridiculous rivalry. Symphonies, divertimenti for
concerted instruments, string quartets, a clavier trio, airs, a cantata,
and other works were all produced at these concerts, and with almost
invariable applause. Nor were Haydn's services entirely confined to
the Salomon concerts. He conducted for various artists, including
Barthelemon, the violinist; Haesler, the pianist; and Madam Mara, of
whom he tells that she was hissed at Oxford for not rising during the
"Hallelujah" Chorus.

Close of the Season

The last concert was given on June 6 "by desire," when Haydn's
compositions were received with "an extasy of admiration." Thus
Salomon's season ended, as the Morning Chronicle put it, with the
greatest eclat. Haydn's subsequent movements need not detain us long.
He made excursions to Windsor Castle and to Ascot "to see the races," of
which he has given an account in his note-book.

Herschel and Haydn

From Ascot he went to Slough, where he was introduced to Herschel. In
this case there was something like real community of tastes, for the
astronomer was musical, having once played the oboe, and later on acted
as organist, first at Halifax Parish Church, and then at the Octagon
Chapel Bath. The big telescope with which he discovered the planet
Uranus in 1781 was an object of great interest to Haydn, who was
evidently amazed at the idea of a man sitting out of doors "in the most
intense cold for five or six hours at a time."

Visits were also paid to Vauxhall Gardens, where "the music is
fairly good" and "coffee and milk cost nothing." "The place and its
diversions," adds Haydn, "have no equal in the world."

At St Paul's

But the most interesting event of this time to Haydn was the meeting of
the Charity Children in St Paul's Cathedral, when something like 4000
juveniles took part. "I was more touched," he says in his diary, "by
this innocent and reverent music than by any I ever heard in my life!"
And then he notes the following chant by John Jones: [Jones was organist
of St Paul's Cathedral at this time. His chant, which was really in the
key of D, has since been suppl