dinner with some
guests, left the table, and ran with all their company into the choir,
where they were filled with wonder." A little before, he says, "the
children are as merry as when they were at home. The boy is friendly
with every body, but particularly with military officers, as though he
had known them all his life. He is the admiration of all." At the Court
of Vienna the family was received with great favour, the Emperor Francis
I. being mightily pleased with "the little magician," as he used
playfully to call young Mozart. "There is nothing wonderful," said the
emperor one day, joking with him, "in playing with all the fingers, but
to play with _one_ finger and with the keys covered, would really be
surprising." Upon which the child instantly performed in this manner
with as much neatness and certainty as if he had long practised it. The
father writes, "you will scarcely believe me when I tell you how
graciously we have been received. The empress took Wolfgang on her lap,
and kissed him heartily."[5] It was at this time that Mozart began to
display the feeling of a great artist; just before he commenced a
concerto, seeing himself surrounded by people of the Court, he asked the
emperor--"is not M. Wagenseil here? _he_ understands these things."
Wagenseil was called forward to the harpsichord; "I am going to play one
of your concertos," said the boy, "will you turn over for me?"

[3] This lady is at present living in Salzburg, and in 1826 had
not entirely given up her occupation as an instructress in
piano-forte playing. Many pupils have been brought up under her,
who by a peculiar neatness and precision of performance, evince
the excellent tuition of Nanette Mozart.

[4] Probably at a convent.

[5] The following anecdote is recorded in the history of this
journey:--Little Mozart one day, on a visit to the empress, was
led into her presence by the two princesses, one of whom was
afterwards the unfortunate Queen of France, Marie Antoinette.
Being unaccustomed to the smoothness of the floor, his foot
slipped and he fell. One of the princesses took no notice of the
accident, but the other Marie Antoinette, lifted him up and
consoled him. Upon which he said to her, "you are very good, I
will marry you." She related this to her mother, who asked
Wolfang how he came to make this resolution. He answered, "from
gratitude--she was so kind to me--wherea