[Sidenote: BEETHOVEN’S TRIBUTE TO HANDEL] In the whole course of our table-talk there was nothing so interesting as what he said about Handel. I sat close by him and heard him assert very distinctly in German, “Handel is the greatest composer that ever lived.” I can not describe to you with what pathos, and I am inclined to say, with what sublimity of language, he spoke of the “Messiah” of this immortal genius. Every one of us was moved when he said, “I would uncover my head, and kneel down at his tomb!” H. and I tried repeatedly to turn the conversation to Mozart, but without effect. I only heard him say, “In a monarchy we know who is the first”; which might or might not apply to the subject.... He is engaged in writing a new opera called “Melusine,” the words by the famous but unfortunate poet Grillparzer. He concerns himself but very little about the newest productions of living composers, insomuch, that when I asked about the “Freischütz,” he replied, “I believe _one_ Weber has written it”.... He appears uniformly to entertain the most favorable opinion of the British nation. “I like,” said he, “the noble simplicity of the English manners,” and added other praises. It seemed to me as if he had yet some hopes of visiting this country together with his nephew. I should not forget to mention that I heard a MS. trio of his for the pianoforte, violin and violoncello, which I thought very beautiful, and as, I understood, to appear shortly in London.