y own children? Even they
can be only half enjoyed! The boys have one ride on my knee, chase me
once around the room, and stop. I must shake them off and go! I cannot
remember that we have had once a whole day in the country together, at
Easter or Whitsuntide, in garden or woods or meadows to grow young again
among the children and flowers. And meanwhile life is gradually slipping
and running and rushing away from us! Dear Lord! To think of it!"

With such self-reproach began a serious conversation. How sad that
Mozart, passionate as he was, keenly alive to all the beauties of the
world, and full of the highest aspirations, never knew peace and
contentment, in spite of all that he enjoyed and created
in his short life. The reason is easily found in those weaknesses,
apparently unconquerable, which were so large a part of his
character. The man's needs were many; his fondness for society
extraordinarily great. Honored and sought by all the families of
rank, he seldom refused an invitation to a fete or social gathering of
any sort. He had, besides, his own circle of friends whom he entertained
of a Sunday evening, and often at dinner at his own well-ordered table.
Occasionally, to the inconvenience of his wife, he would bring in
unexpected guests of diverse gifts, any one whom he might happen to
meet--amateurs, fellow-artists, singers, poets. An idle hanger-on whose
only merit lay in his companionable mood or in his jests, was as welcome
as a gifted connoisseur or a distinguished musician. But the greater
part of his recreation Mozart sought away from home. He was to be found
almost every afternoon at billiards in the Kaffeehaus, and many an
evening at the inn. He enjoyed both driving and riding, frequented balls
and masquerades--a finished dancer--and took part in popular
celebrations also, masquerading regularly on St. Bridget's Day as
Pierrot.

These pleasures, sometimes wild and extravagant, sometimes quieter in
tone, were designed to refresh the severely taxed brain after extreme
labors; and in the mysterious ways of genius they bore fruit in later
days. But unfortunately he was so bent on enjoying to the full every
moment of pleasure that there was room for no other consideration,
whether of prudence or duty, of self-preservation or of economy. Both in
his amusements and in his creative activity Mozart knew no limits. Part
of the night was always devoted to composition; early in the morning,
often even while in be