A Pleasant Story Of Liszt And Chopin

An anecióle which lias nevor before boen in print, but which was told me by one present, comes to my memory. it was ut Nohant, and in the early spring, wlien tlio evenings are just srnüiiig into twilight. Liszt and Chopiu, among many other celebritie, were guests at the hospitabie house oí' the au t hor of "Valredre ;" and it was the custoiii after dinuer for everyono to listen foi' a lew minutes to sonie inspiration of Liszt or Chopin, played in the dark. One morniaga discussion arose between the giante is to which was the groater. Liszt made good bis claims to immortality with great eloquence; and alter he liad done Chopin gimply reniarked : "Of courso you are a great man, but I am still greater than you, for i can imítate your ñ'nest inspiration perfeetly, wliereas I dely you to imitiite me, Liszt openly avowtd that he could not imítate the great "Frederic," but at tlie saine time he offered to bet that he hiinselt' could not be imitated, as bis current oí' thought cbanged trom day to day, and lie expressed himself on tho piano according to the inspiration of the moment. Chopin took the bet noboil) being present but tlie two great men ;uid my friend. The following 6-veDing after dinner cveryone, as was the custom, at in sileuce in the music-room, waitiug for one ot' the two great inusicians to ylay. Öuddeuly a grand thenie begon, oriiliant but patlietic ; passion in the bass and a fervent respondo in the treble; and tlien a grana dominant that stillglorious fliglit of melody that seenied to askod ior pardon and theudieaway in refi"et. "BraTO, Liszt!" everyone crieil : "liow you give youraelf in your musici That is one of your linest inspirationsl Vr!io could mistake it?" l'oor Liszt caine trombling up to (Jeorges Sand, and s'.id : "Madame, it is not I; it is Uhopin playinl lie must be a god?"