C 6a 1 
hath immediately taken it up, and worked it after a 
moft mafterly manner. 
Witnefs as 1 was myfelf of moft of thefe extra- 
ordinary fads, I muft own that I could not help fuf- 
peding his father impofed with regard to the real 
age of the boy, though he had not only a moft 
childifh appearance, but likewife had all the adions 
of that ftage of life. 
For example, whilft he was playing to me, a fa- 
vourite cat came in, upon which he immediately 
left his harpfichord, nor could we bring him back 
for a confiderable time. 
He would alfo fometimes run about the room with 
2 ftick between his legs by way of horfe. 
I found likewife that moft of the London mufi- 
cians were of the fame opinion with regard to his 
age, not believing it pofiible that a child of fo tender 
years could furpafs moft of the mafters in that 
fcience. 
I have therefore for a confiderable time made the 
beft inquiries I was able from fome of the German 
muficians refident in London, but could never receive 
any further information than that he was born near 
Saltzbourg, till I was fo fortunate as to procure an 
extrad from the regifter of that place, through his 
excellence count Haflang. 
It appears from this extrad, that Mozart’s father 
did not impofe with regard to his age when he was 
in England, for it was in June, 1765, »that I was 
witnefs to what I have above related, when the boy 
was only eight years and five months old. 
I have made frequent inquiries with regard to this 
very extraordinary genius fince he left England, and 
was 
I 
