But people were beginning to listen. After a concert in Christiania, entirely of Norwegian music, the Government gave Grieg a small pension and he went to Rome. Here he had a fine meeting with Liszt who asked Grieg to play. Then Liszt took Grieg's manuscript and played it at sight, to his great delight. When Grieg bade good-bye to Liszt the famous pianist said to him: "Keep on, you have talent and ability. Do not let any one discourage or frighten you." So sensitive was Grieg about music writing that he never allowed any one to watch him. So he had a little house built in the mountains where he could work at his leisure. This he called his "tune house." There was only one room and it was for all the world like a little play house that children have. In it was his piano and often when he was playing, the Norwegian peasants used to group themselves outside the door, sometimes joining in the singing, and then again dancing to their delightful folktunes and dances. [Illustration: No. 18 TUNE HOUSE] Here are some pictures of Grieg as he looked in later years. [Illustration: No. 19 GRIEG IN LATER YEARS] [Illustration: No. 20 GRIEG IN LATER YEARS] As a boy in Leipzig he worked too hard and sickness made it necessary for him to return home. From this sickness he never fully recovered. All his life he was frail and unable to endure severe tasks. In appearance Grieg was short and rather bent in figure. His hands were thin, but fine and strong for the piano, although one of them had been crushed in an accident. His eyes were deep blue. They looked straight at you and were full of life and kindness. Grieg was merry of nature; a lovely companion, full of fun and company. Sometimes, however, he was sad and melancholy like his own music. [Illustration: No. 21 GRIEG PERCY GRAINGER MRS. GRIEG RONTGEN] Some day you will learn the names of many of his compositions. And among them you will love such pieces as _The Birds_, _In Spring Time_, _Arietta_, the _Peer Gynt Music_, the _Piano Sonata_, the _Piano and Violin Sonata_, and lots of lively Norwegian dances and tunes. Indeed, he has composed many compositions which you will number among your favorite pieces. Three great names stand out more than all others in the musical history of Scandinavia. You have learned two, Edvard Grieg and Ole Bull. The other is Jenny Lind, known as "the Swedish nightingale," who was loved not only for her wonderful voice but for her kindness and noble nature. She was born at Stockholm in 1820 and died in England in 1887. In Sweden to this day Jennie Lind is a great national personage. The people look upon her as we would on Washington, Irving, Lincoln or Longfellow. She was very beautiful. Here is her picture. [Illustration: No. 22 JENNIE LIND] * * * * * SOME FACTS ABOUT EDVARD GRIEG