THIS great musical composer was a wonderful instance of precocious genius. From his earliest years he was devoted to the art, which occupied his attention to the last hours of his life. His displays when a simple and innocent child appear to have been quite marvellous; while the indefatigable industry with which, unallured by the enthusiastic praises bestowed on them, he continued to cultivate his extraordinary powers, reads an instructive and edifying lesson in regard to the true means for the attainment of excellence. With a success in swaying the hearts of others which would have intoxicated many, especially at so early an age, he continued meek and gentle to the last; and so little was he elated with his splendid achievements that within a few hours of his death he modestly remarked, "Now I begin to see what might be done in music."

The grandfather of this musical prodigy was a bookbinder in Augsburg; his father was one of the court musicians at Salzburg. The latter on being settled in life wedded a fair damsel belonging to the city of his adoption; and the newly-married pair were so conspicuous for their beauty that a handsomer couple, it was remarked, had never been seen on the banks of the Saltza. In the year of Wolfgang's birth his father published a work, entitled, "An Attempt towards a Fundamental System for the Violin," which was much valued,

John Crysostom Wolfgang Amadous Mozart was born at Salzburg, then esteemed one of the finest cities in Germany, on the 27th of January, 1756. His father Leopold enjoyed considerable reputation as a musician, and the whole family had a natural turn for the art with which their name is now so intimately connected. The young Wolfgang was therefore favourably situated for the developement of the faculty, with which he was gifted to so surprising a degree; hut at first gave himself entirely to the amusements which usually interest children in the first two or three years of their lives. Indeed so enthusiastic was he in pursuing his play, that he even sacrificed his meals to indulge in it with the greater freedom. He was remarkable beyond others for his sensibility and affection, and sometimes would ask his parents ten times a-day, "Do you love me much?" and if they jestingly replied in the negative he would seek relief in a flood of tears. His elder sister, in her seventh year, gave indications of those talents which afterwards raised her fame so high as a performer on keyed instruments. Her musical education commenced when Mozart had nearly reached the age of three, and it was his delight to be present at the lessons she received, and to attempt with his little fingers to strike thirds or other harmonious intervals on the clavier, a keyed instrument which was the precursor of the pianoforte. At four he could retain in his memory the brilliant solos in the concertos, which he learned; his father began, half in sport, to give him lessons; and he composed short pieces, which were written down for him. He had already learned to play several minuets on the harpsichord; and it was his good fortune never to forget an air when he had once mastered it. His childish gambols gave way to the bright aspirations that sometimes animate opening boyhood. He required but half an hour to be perfect in a minuet, and for other pieces a proportionate period. Having experienced pleasure in the harmony of others he immediately became a composer himself, and such had been his progress that at the age of five he had produced several pieces of music; trivial in themselves, it is true, but justly regarded, by those who marked the results of his daily efforts, as miraculous for so young an aspirant. It is not altogether certain that the specimens held up as such were actually his first attempts, otherwise it would be highly interesting to mark the first glimmerings of that genius which afterwards accomplished so much. No pastime could now interest or amuse him that was not in some way connected with his favourite pursuit; and it was a great matter with the circle to contrive such games as admitted of his joining in them with the violin or other instrument. His musical talents were not, however, cultivated to the exclusion of the other branches of education, to which he applied himself for some time with great diligence, and conceived a strong love for arithmetic. His energy and determination were such, that whatever he undertook was sure to be accomplished, so that he profited considerably by the slight general education ho received.

His father, who, unlike Handel's, had regarded the wonderful precocity of the hoy with great gladness, carried him, along with his clever sister, to the Bavarian court at Munich in 1762, when Wolfgang, giving up every other pursuit, obeyed the law of his nature and commenced his brilliant career. From this time his efforts never slackened. At Munich they remained a few weeks, and then returned. Having met with a courteous and kind reception from the Elector, and promises of support and patronage, he resumed his studies with great ardour and diligence.

One day, his father, on returning from church with a friend, found his son occupied with writing, and asked,—

"What are you about there?"

"I am composing a concerto for the harpsichord; I have almost finished the first part," replied the boy.

"Let us see this scrawl."

"No; if you please. I have not yet finished it."

It seemed, indeed, so much of a scribble, and so illegible from the blots of ink, that at first it only excited laughter; but Mozart's father having examined it with closeness and attention, remarked to his friend,—

"See how exactly it is composed by rule! 'Tis a pity we cannot make something out of this piece; but it is too difficult. Nobody could play it."

"It is a concerto," observed Mozart;" and should be well studied before being performed. See, this is the way you should begin!" And commencing to play it, he succeeded sufficiently to discover his idea. Indeed, it consisted of a number of notes, placed exactly according to rule, but presenting such difficulties, that the most proficient musician would in vain have attempted to execute them.

In his sixth year, Mozart began to elicit sounds from the violin, which many a practised and professional performer might have envied. One day a celebrated violinist came to his father to ask his opinion of six trios, which he had just composed. It was agreed that they should be tried, and that the elder Mozart should play the bass, the composer himself the first violin, and the Archbishop's trumpeter, who happened to be present, the second; but the infant musician insisted so strongly on taking this last part, that his father was finally induced to yield to his importunity and consent to his performing on. his little violin. The father, who had not previously heard him play on this instrument, was astonished and delighted to find that he executed the six trios with significant success.