Walker-My_Musical_Ex.. - Walter Cosand

285 MY MUSICAL EXPERIENCES
But at sixty years of age I can no longer change. I
am persuaded that because I performed so little of
what I had promised in my youth, it would be
impossible to speak about me without censure. In
the goodwill with which you address yourself to me,
I perceive no intention of this kind. Yet I am con-
vinced that when you hear me speak in person (this
you will have no difficulty in doing if you permit me
to visit you), I shall be able to convince you that I
am arguing aright. With the deepest respect,
'Yours, etc.,
' Adolf Hensblt.'
It may well be imagined that I did not rest content
with this result. A second letter was despatched to
Henselt, and received the following reply
'Highly honoured Madam,
' Frankfort-on-the-Oder, October, 1874.
' I know that it is an honour for anyone to be
mentioned by your pen. For this reason I from my
heart beg of you not to be angry with me for not
having fallen in with your wish. It is, with regard
to myself, my unalterable conviction that, judging
from my early beginnings—I was but nineteen when
I wrote Op. 14*—the world had a right to demand far
more from me than I have accomplished. Any other
opinion than this could not fail to encounter opposi-
* The lovely Dvo for the pianoforte and horn.
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