CHARLES GOUNOD. The famous French composer, Charles François Gounod, briefly gives as his opinion: "Composer c'est exprimer ce que l'on _sent_ dans une langue que l'on _sait_." He adds that though the art of composition cannot be acquired, it may undoubtedly be cultivated; in fact, must be trained, like any other talent. Mons. Gounod lays down no strict rules for composition, as he follows none himself, only composing when inclined to do so. As to his best work, he says: "I consider it is that which is still to be done"; and again: "Every nation is a musical nation." Finally, the few bars of music given here are surrounded by more than the usual amount of interest, for Mons. Gounod, in presenting them, wrote: "The portion of music I send you is from no _work_ of mine, but 'instantaneous' for you, of an autograph." [Illustration] EDVARD GRIEG. The Norwegian composer, Edvard Grieg, sends his opinion over the sea, from his home at Bergen, where, by the way, he has just celebrated his silver wedding. [Illustration] He says: "I have no particular rule when composing. In my opinion the art of composition is not at all to be learned, and yet _must_ be learned; for it is impossible for a composer to write melodies correctly without a complete mastery of his art. Just as hopeless as for an illiterate person lacking the necessary knowledge of language to sit down to write a standard work." He adds that as he has no favourite composer, all _good_ composers are his favourites. Of his many compositions, Grieg gives his preference to his famous sonata for the violin, "Op. 13," a few bars of which are here given. CH. H. LLOYD. Professor Ch. H. Lloyd, when composing, generally proceeds on the following lines:-- "If I am setting words to music," he writes, "I generally read them over several times till they suggest appropriate music, and then jot down my ideas on paper. If it is an abstract composition, it is difficult to say what starts the machine. Ideas often come to me when I am in the train, or at less convenient times. Whenever possible, I write down a few bars before I forget them; but the main work is done sitting at a table with some music paper before me. I seldom go to the piano till I am well on with a composition, and I never seek for ideas at it. I have no regular or fixed time for composing--more often in the morning than at any other time; but sometimes I have not time to put a note on paper for months together." Unlike some other composers, Professor Lloyd believes most decidedly in composers writing under compulsion "to a certain extent."