e of the composer's admirers has preserved it almost
exactly as it was in Haydn's day, and has turned it into a kind of
museum containing portraits and mementoes of the master, the original
manuscript of "The Creation," and other interesting relics.

Starts for London

Haydn started on his journey to England on January 19, 1794, Salomon
having brought him, under a promise to return with six new symphonies
which he was to conduct in person. This time he travelled down the
Rhine, and he had not been many days on the way when news reached him of
the death of Prince Anton Esterhazy, who had very reluctantly given him
leave of absence. On the occasion of the first London visit Salomon had
been his travelling companion; now, feeling doubtless the encumbrance
of increasing years, Haydn took his servant and copyist, Johann Elssler,
along with him.

Honest Elssler

It may be noted in passing that he entertained a very warm regard for
Elssler, whose father had been music copyist to Prince Esterhazy. He was
born at Eisenstadt in 1769, and, according to Pohl, lived the whole of
his life with Haydn, first as copyist, and then as general servant and
factotum. It was Elssler who tended the composer in his last years, a
service recompensed by the handsome bequest of 6000 florins, which he
lived to enjoy until 1843. No man, it has been said, is a hero to his
valet, but "Haydn was to Elssler a constant subject of veneration, which
he carried so far that when he thought himself unobserved he would stop
with the censer before his master's portrait as if it were the altar."
This "true and honest servant" copied a large amount of Haydn's
music, partly in score, partly in separate parts, much of which is now
treasured as the autograph of Haydn, though the handwritings of the two
are essentially different. It is a pity that none of the earlier writers
on Haydn thought of applying to Elssler for particulars of the private
life of the composer. He could have given information on many obscure
points, and could have amplified the details of this second London
visit, about which we know much less than we know about the former
visit.

The Salomon Concerts

Salomon's first concert had been arranged for the 3rd of February, but
Haydn did not arrive until the 4th, and the series accordingly began
upon the 10th. Twelve concerts were given in all, and with the most
brilliant success. The six new symphonies commissioned by Salomon were
performed,