“They seem to be making a stir. Parisian artists call them epoch-making. “In spite of M. Bertin (the editor’s) wish, I refused to review either _I Puritani_ or that wretched _Juive_. I should have had to find too much fault, and people would have put it down to jealousy. “Then there is the _Rénovateur_, wherein I can hardly control my wrath over all these ‘pretty little trifles’; and _Picturesque Italy_ has dragged an article out of me. “Next, the _Gazette Musicale_ plagues me for a _résumé_ of the week’s inanities every Sunday. “Added to that I have tried every concert room in Paris, with the idea of giving a concert, and find none suitable except the Conservatoire, which is not available until after the last of the regular concerts on the 3rd May. “We often talk of you to Barbier; he is a kindred soul whom you would love. No one understands better than he the grandeur and nobility of an artist’s calling. “Germany still talks of me; Vienna asks for a copy of the score of the _Fantastique_, but I tell them I cannot possibly let them have it, as I propose to give it on tour myself. “All the poets in Paris, from Scribe to Victor Hugo, offer me subjects, but those idiotic directors stand in the way. Some day I will set my foot upon their necks. “Now I must be off to the office of the _Débats_ with my article on Beethoven’s _C Minor_. “Meyerbeer is coming soon to superintend his _Huguenots_, which I am most anxious to hear. He is the only recognised musician who has shown a keen interest in me. “Onslow has been paying me his usual bombastic compliments on the _Pilgrim’s March_. I am glad to think there was not a word of truth in them, I prefer open hatred to honeyed venom.” XXIII THE REQUIEM In 1836 M. de Gasparin, Minister of the Interior, feeling that religious music should be better supported, allocated, yearly, a sum of 3000 francs to be given to a French composer, chosen by the Minister, for either a mass or an oratorio; his idea being also to have it executed at the expense of the Government. “I shall begin with Berlioz,” he said, “I am sure he could write a good Requiem.” A friend of M. de Gasparin’s son told me this. My surprise was only equalled by my delight, but, to make sure, I asked an audience of M. de Gasparin. “It is quite true,” he said, “I am going out of office, and this is my last bequest. You have, of course, received the official notification.” “No, monsieur; it was by a mere chance that I heard of your kind intentions towards me.” “What! you ought to have had it a week ago. It must be an official oversight; I will look into it.”