[ ^5 | 



that his little fingers could fcarcely reach a fixth on the harpii- 

 ehord. 



His aftonifhmg readinefs, however, did not arife merely from 

 great practice ; he had a thorough knowledge of the fundamental 

 principles of composition, as, upon producing a treble, he imme- 

 diately wrote a bafe under it, which, when tried, had a very 

 good effect. 



He was alfo a great mafter of modulation, and his tranfition-s 

 from one key to another were exceffively natural and judicious ; 

 he practifed in this manner for a considerable time with an hand- 

 kerchief over the keys of the harpfichord.- 



The facts which I have been mentioning I was myfelf an eye- 

 witnefs of; to which I mult add, that I have been informed by 

 two or three able musicians, when Bach the celebrated compofer 

 had begun a fugue and left off abruptly, that little Mozart hath 

 immediately taken it up, and worked it after a moft mafterly 

 manner. 



Witnefs as 1 was myfelf of moft of thefe extraordinary facts, I 

 muft own that I could not help fufpecting his father impofed with 

 regard to the real age of the boy, though he had not only a moft 

 ehildiftv appearance, but likewife had all the actions of that ftage 

 of life. 



For example, whilft he was playing to me, a favourite cat came 

 in, upon which he immediately left his harpsichord, nor could we 

 bring him back for a confiderable time. 



He is faid in the title page to Have been only eight years of age when 

 he compofed thefe fonatas. 



The dedication is to the Queen, and is dated at London, January 8, 

 1765. 



He fubfcribes himfelf, ef tres humble, et tres obehTant petit ferviteur." 

 Thefe leffons are compofed in a very original ftile, and fome of them 

 are mafterly. 



He 



