as "the villain, the low
fellow." And is it altogether certain even now, in free Britain, that
the parish organist is very clearly distinguished in the squire's mind
from the peripatetic organ-grinder? Public opinion does not seem to
have commiserated Haydn on his position of dependence; and, as for Haydn
himself, he was no doubt only too glad to have an assured income and
a comfortable home. We may be certain that he did not find the yoke
unbearably galling. He was of humble birth; of a family which must
always have looked up to their "betters" as unspeakably and immeasurably
above them. Dependence was in the order of nature, and a man of Haydn's
good sense was the last in the world to starve and fret because his
freedom to practice his art and develop his powers was complicated with
a sort of feudal service. Some strong souls may find an empty purse the
truest source of inspiration, as Mr Russell Lowell declares it to be;
but it is very much to be doubted whether a careful investigation would
show that a great man's best work was done with the wolf at the door.

Material Advantages

Haydn had no self-pity: why should we pity him? He had free quarters at
the palace, with liberty to enjoy the company of his wife when she chose
to favour him--an event of rare occurrence. His salary was raised from
time to time. The old prince, his first employer, paid him 400 florins;
his successor increased the amount first to 600 and then to 782 florins
(78 pounds); and finally he had 1400 florins, which last sum was
continued to him as a pension when he left the Esterhazy service.
Although money had a much higher purchasing value in those days, the
figures here quoted do not seem princely when we consider the extent
and nature of Haydn's duties, but to a man of Haydn's simple tastes they
would appear ample enough. At least, they would save him from lying on
straw and drinking bad whisky, which Wagner regarded as among the things
that are inimical to the creative genius.

Artistic Advantages

These were the material advantages of the Eisenstadt appointment. The
artistic advantages were even more important, especially to a young and
inexperienced artist who, so far, had not enjoyed many opportunities of
practically testing his own work. Haydn had a very good band always at
his disposal, the members of which were devoted to him. If he wrote part
of a symphony over-night he could try it in the morning, prune, revise,
accept, reject. M