In September, 1762, the Mozart family removed to Vienna, where they received a gracious welcome from their Majesties; and Wolfgang soon became a favourite at the Imperial court, which was quite charmed with his remarkable skill. One day the Emperor said to him in joke, "You do not find it difficult to play with all the fingers; but to play with one finger and the notes out of sight would indeed excite admiration." Without manifesting the slightest surprise at such a proposal, the boy immediately began to play with one finger, not finding any difficulty in maintaining his usual precision. The flattery bestowed upon him, and the splendour in which he moved, had not the effect of spoiling him in the slightest degree. On the contrary, he was a most patient and submissive boy; and throughout continued most amiable and tender-hearted. He never appeared out of humour with the commands of his parents, no matter what their nature might be; and, even after he had practised music nearly the whole day, he would continue to do so without the slightest marks of impatience, if such was their wish.

When Wolfgang had completed his seventh year, the whole family left Salzburg for Paris. His fame had preceded him, and the name of the innocent and affectionate German boy was already celebrated in the bright and airy city of the Seine. Being introduced by the lady of the Bavarian ambassador, he immediately received an invitation to Versailles, gave an organ performance in the chapel with his wonted success, and received the rapturous applause of the magnificent and voluptuous court. Two grand concerts were likewise given before the public. The Mozarts had their portraits taken, and poems were written in their praise.

About this time he first appeared in print as the author of two sets of sonatas, one dedicated to the King's daughter, and the other to the Countess Tesse. The former acknowledged the compliment by the gift of a gold snuff-box, while the Princess presented him with a silver standish and pens.

In the April of next year they left for England, and took up their residence in London. Here Mozart's efforts were again rewarded with the praise of a court; but this time, that of the people was deservedly added to it, and the performances of himself and his sister caused enthusiastic admiration. During his sojourn Mozart produced six sonatas, which were dedicated to the Queen, and published in London. Leopold found this visit much more profitable than any of the former had been, and he wrote to his friends at home in terms of gratified pride. In the course of 1765 he returned with his children to France, and travelled through the greater part of it, the young musician trying most of the organs in the churches and monasteries that lay in their path. Leaving the territories of the French King, they continued their journey into Holland. At the Hague, Mozart composed a symphony for a full orchestra, to celebrate the installation of the Prince of Orange. While there, both brother and sister were seized with an illness so severe as to threaten their lives; but happily they recovered, and were soon sufficiently restored to undertake a short visit to Paris, from which they went to their native home, where Mozart enjoyed an interval of peace and repose. This could not but be welcome and agreeable after the glitter and formality to which he had lately been accustomed, and it was pleasantly passed in the study of such masters as were deemed fitting guides for his own future compositions.

An amusing anecdote is told of him, relating to this period. A pompous gentleman, visiting the family on their return, was extremely perplexed how to address a musician so young and yet so famous, and not knowing whether to do it in the familiar or respectful style, took a middle course:—

"And so we have been in England and France, and have been at court, and have done ourselves much honour!" said he, playfully.

The little hero felt his dignity touched, and replied, "Yet I never remember to have seen you anywhere else but at Salzburg."

In 1768 the Mozarts again performed at Vienna before the Emperor, but the fame Wolfgang had acquired in his progress through Europe had raised the fears and jealousy of the musicians of the Imperial city, who conspired and concerted a discre-ditable scheme for destroying his reputation. The Emperor had, some time before this conspiracy came to light, proposed an opera to his young protege, and the elder Mozart, thinking it was a grand idea for a boy of twelve to compose an opera and direct it himself, entered readily upon the project, as promising lasting and crowning glory to his son. In a few days the opera was ready; but delays, excuses, and stratagems, prevented it from ever appearing.

Mozart bore so bravely the unworthy slanders of envious rivals, that in little more than a month he had added very considerably to his compositions, enjoyed the public applause, and returned to Salzburg.

Once more in his quiet home, he applied himself to the highest branches of the study of his art, and devoted some time to the Italian language. In 1769 he was appointed concert-master to the Archbishop; and though the appointment was neither one of much honour nor profit, it turned his attention to the composition of masses, and most of his were composed while he held it.

In the December of the same year he went with his father to Italy, where he found an audience ready and willing to recognise and appreciate excellence. He first appeared at Milan, and justified his wide-spread fame. The Milanese, conscious of the. treasure they had amongst them, could not think of allowing him to depart without the promise of a speedy return, and he left, after having engaged to compose the first opera for the carnival of 1771.

At Florence he excited unbounded admiration, and thence went to Rome, where he arrived in Passion Week. The celebrated "Miserere" was to bo performed, and among the rigours of the Papal Court it had prohibited the issue of a single copy. Aware of this, Mozart, when at the chapel, listened so attentively that on returning home he was able to note down the whole piece. On Good Friday the same "Miserere" was executed, and he was again present during the performance, and made the necessary corrections in his manuscript. This wonderful feat was the subject of astonishment and admiration throughout Rome; hut the greatness of the effort can only be fully appreciated by such as are acquainted with the mysteries and difficulties of the art. Subsequently he sang the " Miserere" from his manuscript, in a manner that those most competent to judge declared faultless.

Mozart found a friend and patron in the Pope, who, in recognition of his genius, created him a Knight of the Golden Spur. Bologna testified her admiration by naming him a member of the Philharmonic Academy, and the composition required of him in common with every member on election, was completed by hint in the short space of half-an-hour.

True to his engagement to the Milanese, he retraced his steps to their city, and had what at that time was considered the highest honour a musician could enjoy—the privilege of composing the first opera seria for the Roman theatre. Two months after his arrival, the results of the labour he had undergone during them were given to the public in the form of an opera, entitled "Mithri-dates." It was played for the first time in December 1770, Mozart having then almost completed his fifteenth year. It had a run of twenty nights, and quite captivated the public. Three years afterwards Mozart presented the Milanese with another opera, which was even more successful than his previous production.

His fame had now spread from one end of Europe to the other; and at nineteen years of age, when his eventful boyhood may be said to have closed, be could make choice of any capital in which to establish himself. Paris was selected by his father, as apparently the most appropriate sphere for his exertions, and accordingly the marvellous Wolfgang journeyed thither, accompanied by his mother. He returned, in 1779, to his father's house, and died in his thirty-sixth year, much lamented by all who knew him.