204 Dr. BURNEY’S AcCOUflt of 
and an elder After, a neat player on the harpfichord, and 
conftantly praCtifing compofitions of the firft dais for 
that inftrument, had every advantage of fituation and 
culture joined to the profufion of natural endowments. 
Of mozart’s infant attempts at muftc I was unable to 
difcover the traces from the converfation of his father; 
who, though an intelligent man, whofe education and 
knowledge of the world did not feem confined to mufic, 
confefled himfelf unable to defcribe the progreffive im- 
provements of his fon during the firft ftages of infancy. 
However, at eight years of age I was frequently con- 
vinced of his great knowledge in compofition by his 
writings; and that his invention, tafte, modulation, and 
execution in extemporary playing, were fuck as few pro- 
fefibrs are poffefled of at forty years of age. 
Into what the prefent prodigy may mature is not eafy 
to predict ; we more frequently hear of trees in bloflom 
during the winter months than of fruits in confequence 
of fuch unfeafonable appearances. However, to keep pace 
with the expectations to which fuch premature talents 
give birth is hardly allowed to humanity. It is the with of 
fome, that the uncommon faculties with which this child 
is endowed might be fuffered to expand by their own ef- 
forts, neither reftrained by rules, nor guided by exam- 
ples ; that, at length, the Avorld might be furnifhed with 
a fpecies of natural mufic, fuperior to all the furprizing 
productions 
