* * * * *
On the 18th of August Mendelssohn arrived in London, and on the
following day a first rehearsal of the Solos was held at Chester Place.
The Oratorio was performed on the 28th of August. On the 29th Moscheles
wrote: “Your visit to Birmingham, and the production of your ‘Elijah,’
have opened a new world of art to me; your work has made an impression
on my mind that can never be effaced. If I did not tell you so last
night, when so many were pressing forward to congratulate you, it was
because I fancied I felt more, and had more to say, than they. Besides,
I preferred writing, to tell you how deeply impressed I am; for if I do
so verbally, you will only give me the obsolete answer that dates from
your boyhood,--‘There is much room for improvement; give me your
advice,’ etc.,--and that, from you to me, is out of place. Improve,
correct, as much as you think right; tell me why and wherefore you make
this or that alteration; let me learn from you, and gratefully
acknowledge that it is so. You might well put Beethoven’s motto,[55]
‘Man, help thyself!’ on your coat of arms; for God has endowed you with
rare gifts, that permit you to approach Him in the true spirit of
devotion and reverence.”
* * * * *
HOBART PLACE, EATON SQUARE, Aug. 29, 1846.
MY DEAR FRIEND,--Your letter, which I just receive, makes me truly
happy. Let me thank you cordially for the friendly sympathy and for the
indulgence with which you have listened to my music. Your kind words of
praise are more to me than words from any other quarter, and a great
deal more than I deserve, according to my own estimation. Thanks,
thanks! that is all I can say just now, although I should like to add so
much. But I will wait till we meet in a day or two, or perhaps till we
are taking some quiet stroll together round the city walls of Leipzig or
elsewhere. Thanks again, and may you ever preserve your friendship and
kind indulgence for me.
Yours for ever and a day,