[48] Bunsen was then the Prussian Ambassador accredited to the Court of Saint James.
[49] He had lost his mother on the 12th of December of the preceding year.
[50] The work alluded to, “The Harmonized Scales,” Op. 97, is a series of fifty-nine pieces for a juvenile performer and his teacher; the former playing the scales in various time and rhythm, the teacher supporting him by a full accompaniment.
[51] For the translation of these lines I am again indebted to Robert Browning.—Editor.
[52] [See Illustration, No. 28.]
[53] The Sonate Symphonique for two performers (Op. 112), which Moscheles, with his daughter Emily, had played at the Court of King Louis Philippe, to whom the work was dedicated.
[54] The thaler equals three shillings, or seventy-five cents.
[55] This has reference to an incident which occurred when Moscheles, then twenty years of age, was residing in Vienna. In 1824 Beethoven’s “Fidelio” was produced, and Moscheles was commissioned to make the pianoforte arrangement of that work. In his diaries of those days we find various entries recording his visits to Beethoven. The alterations suggested by the master were made with due care and deference, and the completed arrangement was finally left at Beethoven’s rooms. On the last page of the manuscript Moscheles had written, “End, with the help of God.” When the manuscript was returned four characteristic words had been added, in Beethoven’s bold and all but illegible handwriting: “Mensch, hilf dir selber!” (Man, help thyself!)
[56] Translated in “Life of Moscheles.”