[ 6 + ] 
The Rev. Mr. Manwaring (in his Memoirs of 
Handel') hath given us a ftill more appofite instance, 
• and in the fame Tcience. 
This great muGcian began to play on the clavi- 
chord when he was but feven years of age, and is 
faid to have compofed fome church fervices when he 
was only nine years old, as alfo the opera of Al- 
naeria, when he did not exceed fourteen. 
Mr. Manwaring likewife mentions that Handel, 
when very young, was ftruck fometitnes whilft in 
bed with mufical ideas, and that, like Mozart, he 
ufed to try their effedt immediately on a ipinnet, 
which was in his bedchamber. • 
I am the more glad to ftate this fhort comparifon 
between thefe two early prodigies in mu lie, as it may 
be hoped that little Mozart may poilibly attain to 
the fame advanced years as Handel, contrary to the 
common obfervation that luch ingeina prcecocia are 
generally fhort lived. 
I think I may fay without prejudice to the memory 
of this great compofer, that the icale mod clearly 
preponderates on the tide of Mozart in this com- 
parifon, as 1 have already ftated that lie was a com- 
pofer when he did not much exceed the age of four. 
His extemporary compofitions alfo, of which I was 
a witnefs, prove his genius and invention to have 
been moft aftonifhing leaft however I fhould in- 
infenfiblv become too ftrongly his panegyrift, per- 
mit me to fubferibe myfelf. Sir, 
Your moll: faithful 
humble fervant, 
Daines Barrington. 
IX. A 
