Short Though Our Acquaintance Has Been, I Am Pleased To Think That It Has Been Long Enough To Establish Between Us A Tie Which Years Will Strengthen Without Changing The Natural And Reciprocal Charm.

I congratulate you very sincerely in having put the fine season to so good a use by finishing the church compositions you had planned.

That is an admirable field for you, and I strongly advise you not to give in till you have explored it with love and valor for several years. I think that, both by the elevation and the depth of your ideas, the tenderness of your feelings, and your deep studies, you are eminently fitted to excel in the religious style, and to accomplish its transformation so far as is nowadays required by our intelligence being more awake and our hearts more astir than at former periods. You have only to assimilate Palestrina and Bach - then let your heart speak, and you will be able to say with the prophet, "I speak, for I believe; and I know that our God liveth eternally."

We spoke with your brother about your vocation for composing religious - Catholic music. He enters thoroughly into this idea, and will give you help to realize it under outer conditions favorable to you. Munster, Cologne, and Breslau appeared to us to be the three places for the present where you would find the least obstacles in the way of establishing your reputation and making a position. But before you go to the Rhine I hope you will do me the pleasure of coming to see me here.

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