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 bed, he finished his work.  Then, driving or walking, he made the rounds of his lessons, which generally took a part of the afternoon also.  “We take a great deal of trouble for our pupils, and it is often hard not to lose patience,” he wrote to one of his patrons.  “Because we are well recommended as pianists and teachers of music we load ourselves down with pupils, and are always willing to add another; if only the bills are promptly paid it does not matter whether the new student be a Hungarian mustachio from the engineer corps, whom Satan has tempted to wade through thorough-bass and counterpoint, or the haughtiest little countess who receives us in a fury, as she would Master Coquerel, the hair-dresser, if we do not arrive on the stroke of the hour.”  So, when weary with the occupations of his profession, school-work, and rehearsals as well as private lessons, and in need of refreshment, he gave his nerves a seeming restorative only in new excitement.  His health began to suffer, and ever-recurring fits of melancholy were certainly fostered, if not actually induced, by his ill health; and the premonition of his early death, which for a long time haunted him, was finally fulfilled.  The deepest melancholy and remorse were the bitter fruits of every pleasure which he tasted; yet we know that even these troubled streams emptied pure and clear in the deep spring from which all joy and all woe flowed in marvelous melodies.

The effects of Mozart’s illness showed most plainly when at home.  The temptation to spend his money foolishly and carelessly was very great.  It was due, as a matter of course, to one of his most lovely traits.  If any one in need came to him to borrow money or to ask his name as security, he consented at once with smiling generosity and without making arrangements to insure the return of the loan.  The means which such generosity, added to the needs of his household, required, were out of all proportion to his actual income.  The sums which he received from theatres and concerts, from publishers and pupils, together with the Emperor’s pension, were the smaller because the public taste was far from declaring itself in favor of Mozart’s compositions.  The very beauty, depth, and fulness of his music were, in general, opposed to the easily understood compositions then in favor.  To be sure, the Viennese public could not get enough of Die Entfuehrung aus dem