Walker-My_Musical_Ex.. - Walter Cosand

HENSELT 285
had been for many years past the honoured friend
and adviser, without whose approbation none of my
artistic plans were ever brought to completion. I
was well aware that not only the utter seclusion m
which Henselt lived, but a shrinking from all pub-
licity, which was quite peculiar to himself, rendered
him extremely difficult of access. Clara Bauer, a
pupil of his, well known by the literary name of
Carl Detleff, had already initiated me into his
peculiarities, both as a man and an artist. I was,
therefore, prepared for not attaming my purpose
without many rounds and much trouble, though, on
the other hand, I knew well that he had a bitter
consciousness of being nearly forgotten in Germany.
I wrote accordingly to tell him of my intention, and
to ask at the same time if he would help me in the
matter by replying to some questions which I would
lay before him. He was, I had been told, no friend
of expansive letters ; and such a mode of proceeding
was therefoBG quite in accordance with a nature
which always leaned towards the tangible and prac-
tical. Eight days later I was in possession of his
reply
:
' Madam,
' Warmbrunn in Silesia, July 6th, 1874.
'I regret extremely that, although I feel in
my heart grateful to you for all the pains you are
taking—all your goodness to me—I must seem not
only unheedful, but also most thankless for the same.