on, a secret
feeling within me whispered, 'There are but few contented and happy men
here below; everywhere grief and care prevail, perhaps your labours may
one day be the source from which the weary and worn or the man burdened
with affairs may derive a few moments' rest and refreshment.' What a
powerful motive to press onwards! And this is why I now look back with
heartfelt, cheerful satisfaction on the work to which I have devoted
such a long succession of years with such persevering efforts and
exertions."

With this high ideal was combined a constant effort to perfect himself
in his art. To Kalkbrenner he once made the touching remark: "I have
only just learned in my old age how to use the wind instruments, and now
that I do understand them I must leave the world." To Griezinger, again,
he said that he had by no means exhausted his genius: that "ideas were
often floating in his mind, by which he could have carried the art far
beyond anything it had yet attained, had his physical powers been equal
to the task."

His Piety

Closely, indeed inseparably, connected with this exalted idea of his art
was his simple and sincere piety. He was a devout Christian, and looked
upon his genius as a gift from God, to be freely used in His service.
His faith was never assailed with doubts; he lived and died in the
communion of the Catholic Church, and was "never in danger of becoming
either a bigot or a free-thinker." When Carpani, anticipating latter-day
criticism, hinted to him that his Church compositions were impregnated
with a light gaiety, he replied: "I cannot help it; I give forth what
is in me. When I think of the Divine Being, my heart is, so full of joy
that the notes fly off as from a spindle, and as I have a cheerful heart
He will pardon me if I serve Him cheerfully."

His reverent practice during the composition of "The Creation" has been
mentioned. "Never was I so pious," he said. There are many proofs of the
same feeling in his correspondence and other writings. Thus he concludes
an autobiographical sketch with the words: "I offer up to Almighty God
all eulogiums, for to Him alone do I owe them. My sole wish is neither
to offend against my neighbour nor my gracious prince, but above all not
against our merciful God." Again, in one of his later letters, he says
"May God only vouchsafe to grant me the health that I have hitherto
enjoyed, and may I preserve it by good conduct, out of gratitude to
the Almighty."