Walker-My_Musical_Ex.. - Walter Cosand

28S MY MUSICAL EXPERIENCES
which entered into some further particulars, placed
me in a position to carry my wishes into effect. In the
long-run, however, her correspondence with me could
not remain a secret to Henselt, for she was, of course,
obliged to put many a question to him here and there.
When the catalogue of his works, which I had grouped
together for adding to my sketch of them, was to be
submitted to his criticism, it was impossible for me to
avoid addressing myself again directly to him. The
23rd of April, 1875, brought me the following lines
in his handwriting
' Honoured Madam,
:
' You do me far too much honour !
I always
grow fearful and timid when people speak of me as a
composer, and talk of my works. You think perhaps
that I undervalue myself ; by no means, but I live in
no illusion about myself. I know, for instance, quite
well, that some of my compositions are among the
best which have been written for the instrument—that
I have written better studies than many a so-called
composer. Still, this is far too little ; that is to say,
the works that deserve mention are far too few in
number ;
I have but given a proof that I might have
been a composer : the circumstances of my life were,
however, not favourable to it. Above all, the passion
for virtuosity should have never taken possession of
me. As you have taken so much trouble about me,
as even yourself to note down with your own hand all