oser's moods; a military
overture, which was one long series of tempestuously mounting climaxes,
built on the theme of the Russian battle-hymn; six songs to poems of
Heine, with piano accompaniment; and, finally, the third of his
symphonies, declared by Balakirev too technical, as more resembling a
clever experiment in orchestral possibilities, than a serious effort in
the most rigid of classical forms.

Unfortunately, despite these flat disprovals of the accusations made
against Ivan by his oldest friends, the summer's work did little to
soften the feeling between the millionaire Prince and his scoffing
fellow-workmen. Their cry now was: Who was he to step in between the
fame, nay, the very bread, of men obliged to live by their work? Humph!
He should see! It should be made very plain to him that neither wealth
nor money could avail to win him entrance into the sanctums of
art!--him, the greatest, the only great, artist of them all! Ah! Bitter
indeed was the fresh humiliation he encountered: knowledge that, while
his music was beginning to be sought for by every orchestra in Europe,
Russia would suddenly have none of him! Nicholas Rubinstein fought his
losing battles somewhat daunted by the constant cries of "hypocrite" and
"toad-eater." Kashkine filled foreign journals with his praises.
Useless! Henceforth, for many years, the concerts at the Moscow theatre,
now under the baton of Laroche, knew Gregoriev's name no more: until
that day, indeed, when, with his last and supreme effort, by means of
the sheer force of his genius, Ivan overrode them all, broke every
barrier down, and, winning victory unconditional, became at last the
boast and the glory of the Russian musical world. But it was also out of
this victory that Fate got her bitterest laugh at her puppet plaything.
For death and fame ran neck and neck for his goal; and the race ended
with fame four lengths behind.

Meantime, however, even in the midst of this first battle with his
compatriots, Ivan and they were to meet one last time on neutral ground,
under the white flag of truce. This was on the occasion of
varnishing-day at the _salon_ of native painters--Russians and Poles;
where were exhibited works by men _hors concours_, together with those
of advanced students: both classes being required to pass an
incorruptible committee of twelve, who spared neither veteran nor tyro.
Hither, on the artists' day, came Ivan and his former circle, to enjoy
the success