This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1865. Excerpt: ... for regret, as Madlle. Weber certainly deserves your kindness. I only wish that you could hear her sing my new aria which I lately mentioned to you--I say hear her sing it, because it seems made expressly for her; a man like you who really understands what portamento in singing means, would certainly feel the most intense pleasure in hearing her. When I am happily settled in Paris, and our circumstances, please God, improved, and we are all more cheerful and in better humour, I will write you my thoughts more fully, and ask you to do me a great kindness. I must now tell you I was so shocked that tears came to my eyes, on reading in your last letter that you are obliged to go about so shabbily dressed. My very dearest papa, this is certainly not my fault; you know it is not. We economise in every possible way here; food and lodging, wood and light, cost us nothing, which is all we could hope for. As for dress, you are well aware that, in places where you are not known, it is out of the question to be badly dressed, for appearances must be kept up My whole hopes are now centred in Paris, for German princes are all niggards. I mean to work with all my strength, that I may soon have the happiness of extricating you from your present distressing circumstances. 99. Mannheim, March 11, 1778. I have duly received your letter of the 26th February, and learn from it with great joy that our best and PREPARING TO START FOR PARIS. 189 kindest of all friends, Baron Grimm the well-known Encyclopedist, with whom Mozart had become acquainted during his last visit to France, is now in Paris. The vettwrino has offered to convey us to Paris by Metz (which, as you probably know, is the shortest route) for eleven louis d"or. If to-morrow he agrees to do it for ten, I shall cer...