l of the young composer was now to be put to the test. Three men
approached the boy, the president of the society and two experienced
Kapellmeisters, or choirmasters. In the presence of all the members the
boy was given a difficult anthem, which he was invited to set to music
in four parts. He was then led by a beadle into an adjoining room, and
the door locked. There the boy set to work on his composition.

Just half an hour later the boy knocked on the door in signal that the
music was finished. The beadle opened the door, and the boy presented
his completed score to the president. The latter examined the score
carefully, then handed it to the Kapellmeisters. They in turn examined
it, and passed it on to the other members. Each man as he looked at the
composition showed his surprise. Finally it had made the circuit of the
room. Then a ballot-box was passed, and each member was asked to cast
either a white or a black ball, depending on whether he thought the
newcomer was worthy to be admitted to the distinguished society of
Bologna. Every ball cast was white.

Young Mozart was then recalled to the room. When he entered this time he
was greeted with cheers. The president met him, and informed him of his
election. Then the members pressed about him, eager to praise his work.
He had been set a very difficult type of composition, and had
accomplished in half an hour greater results than any other candidate
had ever reached in three hours.

The musicians of Bologna decided that the judgments of the European
courts as to this boy's genius were correct.

Father and son proceeded on their journey south through Italy. They
reached Rome during Holy Week, and learned that the celebrated music of
the "Miserere" was being given in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican. It
was very difficult to gain admittance to the Chapel, as the Pope and
many of the Cardinals were there. The rich dress of the two visitors,
the German they spoke, and the singular air of authority which the boy
showed, convinced the Swiss guards at the door that these were people of
importance. One soldier whispered to another that this was a young
German prince traveling with his tutor. They were allowed to enter, and
the boy, accustomed from infancy to the life of courts, immediately
walked to the Cardinals' table, and placed himself between the chairs of
two of those Princes of the Church.

One of the latter, Cardinal Pallavicini, surprised at the boy's
assuran