DEAR MR. MASON: Mr. Seward has brought me your welcome letter and several of your compositions. These give me double pleasure, for they show that your time at Weimar has not been lost and that you continue to make good use of it elsewhere. "L'Etude de Concert, Op. 9," and "Valse Caprice, Op. 17," are distinguished in style and of good effect. I can also sincerely praise the three preludes (Op. 8) and the two ballades, but with some reservation. The first ballade appears to me a trifle curtailed. There is a certain something lacking at the beginning and toward the middle (page 7) which is necessary to make the _motif_ stand out again, and the pastorale of the second ballade (page 7) figures there rather as padding--_embarras de richesse!_ And, since I am criticizing, let me ask why you entitle your "Ah, vous dirai-je Maman," "Caprice Grotesque"? Beyond the fact that the grotesque style should not intrude in music, this title does injustice to the ingenious imitations and harmonies of the piece which is otherwise so charming; it would be more fitting to call it "Divertissement" or "Variazione Scherzose." As to the "Method," you do not, of course, expect me to make an exhaustive study of it. I am much too old for that, and it is only in self-defense that I occasionally try the piano--considering the incessant fatigue caused me by the indiscretion of a crowd of people who imagine that nothing can be more flattering to me than to amuse them! Nevertheless, in going through your "Method," I find highly commendable exercises, notably the _interlocking passages_ (pages 136-142) _and all the accentuated treatment_ > > > > _of exercises_. May your pupils and editors derive thence all the benefit they should. A thousand thanks, dear Mr. Mason, and rely on my very affectionate and devoted feelings as of old. F. LISZT. ROME, May 26, 1869. It will give me genuine pleasure to see you again, dear Mr. Mason. Next week I return to Weimar and shall remain there as usual till the middle of July. Therefore, suit the time of your visit to your own convenience. I beg you to stay for several days at least. A thousand affectionate and cordial greetings. F. LISZT. VIENNA, May 23, 1880. INDEX Allen, Thomas, 95 Altenburg, the, Liszt's studio in, 93; Furstin Sayn-Wittgenstein at, 94; picture of, 94; Liszt pupils at, 98, 122 Appledore, Isles of Shoals, Mason at, 251-258 Bach, "Triple Concerto," 107; "les agrements" in, 229; Rubinstein and, 290; Essipoff and, 232 Bauer, 270 Beethoven, first symphonic performance in America, 8, 13, 31; Remenyi and "Kreutzer Sonata," 93; Op. 106, 103, and Liszt plays, 104, 105; "Eroica Symphony," Liszt's contretemps in, 120; Liszt's "Young Beethoven" (Rubinstein), 171 Bellman, 137