At this time he made the acquaintance of the von Bruening family,—mother, three boys and a girl, whose friendship was one of the inspiring events of his boyhood. He gave lessons to Eleanore and to a brother, and was a close friend to them all. Here he was introduced to the marvels of literature, which proved to be a lifelong love and a solace for the sad hours after he became deaf. He also accompanied the von Bruenings on holidays in the country, and through them met Count Waldstein, a young noble and amateur musician, who was most enthusiastic over Beethoven’s budding talent. Through Count Waldstein he was brought to the attention of the Elector of Bonn, who gave the young musician a place as viola player in the orchestra of his national theatre. Here he made several lifelong friends,—Franz Ries, who probably taught him to play the violin and viola, the two Rombergs, Simrock and Stumpff. His old teacher Neefe, was pianist and stage manager in the theatre. Now his home became most unhappy because of his father’s drunkenness and bad habits. The Court, however, in 1799, looked after Beethoven and saw that part of his father’s salary was paid to him to help him care for the family. In addition to this the money he earned by playing and by giving lessons enabled him to support his brothers and sister. HE MEETS PAPA HAYDN When Papa Haydn passed through Bonn on his way to London, Beethoven went to visit him, and brought with him, instead of candy or flowers, a cantata which he had written for the occasion. Haydn was delighted with him and offered to teach him if he would go to Vienna. So, in 1792, on the advice of Count Waldstein, we see him again in Vienna, studying counterpoint with Haydn. At first he frankly imitated his master, and although he leaned more toward Mozart’s colorfulness of style than Haydn’s, from the older composer he learned how to treat and develop themes, and how to write for the orchestra. When Haydn left Vienna for his second visit to England, Beethoven studied with Albrechtsberger, also with Schenck, Salieri and Förster. Although he was an amazing student his teachers were afraid of and for him, for his ideas were ahead of his day. They failed to see in him the great pathfinder, and naturally thought he was a dangerous radical or “red” as we would say. BEETHOVEN’S FRIENDSHIPS The story of Beethoven’s life is a story of a few faithful friendships. He was not befriended for his personal beauty, but for his inner beauty. His head was too big for his body, he did not care what sort of clothes he wore, nor did he have any regard for conventions, fashions or great personages. He was a real democrat and cared nothing for titles and the things smaller men respect. Once Beethoven’s brother called on him and left his card upon which was written, next his name, “Man of Property.” Beethoven in return sent his card on which he wrote, “Man of Brains.”