Little Franz practiced so faithfully and so eagerly, I am sure, that when he was only nine years of age he gave a concert in public. He played so well that some good friends offered to send him to Vienna where he could continue his studies. And so the little boy left home and began the studies that led him to become the greatest pianist of his time. His piano teacher was a man of whom almost everybody knows. Does he not have a round, good-natured face? And does he not look kind? Well, he could be severe when his pupil's lessons did not please him. His name was Carl Czerny. Here is his picture. [Illustration: No. 6 CARL CZERNY] On New Year's day of the year that little Franz was eleven years old he played in public in Vienna. It must have been a wonderful occasion. All the great people were there; and among them was one who was greatest of all, Beethoven. [Illustration: No. 7 BEETHOVEN] Then Adam Liszt thought his boy should go to Paris. He wished him to become a student in the conservatory there. But its director, Cherubini, refused to admit Franz to the classes. So, like most of us, he studied with a private teacher. Also, he traveled to England and to all the countries of Europe, giving concerts. His fame was becoming greater and his playing was the delight of all who heard him. Here are two pictures of Franz as a boy. He dressed differently from boys of to-day. But do you not think his face is a fine one? Full of light and life and eagerness? [Illustration: No. 8 and No. 9 LISZT AS A BOY] Franz was only sixteen years old when his father died. They had been good comrades, had traveled together and talked with one another about music and musicians. The boy must have grieved keenly over the loss of so good and kind a companion as his father had been. But he went earnestly to work to earn a living for his mother and himself. He knew many famous people and we may be sure that everyone helped him. Here are two of Franz's friends of that time. [Illustration: No. 10 VICTOR HUGO] [Illustration: No. 11 F. CHOPIN] [Illustration: No. 12 AT THE PIANO] I am sure you will like to know how Liszt looked as he sat at the piano. Here he sits playing. You see he had only a simple kind of piano. But he mastered it so thoroughly that he could make people wonder at his art. That is what we learn from the lives of famous people. They are always true to their talent.