[ 55 ] 
I have been informed by a rnofl able mufician 
and compofer, that he frequently favv him at 
Vienna, when he was little more than four years 
old. 
By this time he not only was capable of executing 
leffons on his favourite instrument the harpfichord, 
but compofed fome in an eafy ftile and tafte, which 
were much approved of. 
His extraordinary mufical talents foon reached the 
ears of the prefent emprefs dowager, who ufed to 
place him upon her knees whilst he played on the 
harpfichord. 
This notice taken of him by fo great a perfonage, 
together with a certain confcioufnefs of his mofl An- 
gular abilities, had much emboldened the little mu- 
sician. Being therefore the next year at one of the 
German courts, where the elector encouraged him, 
by faying, that he had nothing to fear from his au- 
“ I, the under-written, certify, that in the year 1756, the 17th 
“ of January, at eight o’clock in the evening, was born Joannes 
“ Chryfoftomus Wolfgangus Theophilus, fon of Mr. Leopold 
“ Mozart, organift of his highnefs the prince of Saltzbourg, 
“ and of Maria Ann his lawful wife (whofe maiden name was 
“ Pertlin), and chriftened the day following, at ten o’clock in 
“ the morning, at the prince’s cathedral church here; his god- 
“ father being Gottliel Pergmayr, merchant in this city. In 
“ truth whereof, I have taken this certificate from the parochial 
“ regifter of chriftenings, and under the ufual feal, figned the 
“ the fame with my own hand. 
Saltzbourg, « Leopald Comprecht, 
Jan. 3, 1769. 
“ Chaplain to his Highnefs in this city.” 
guft 
