The opening phrase of the following quotation reminds one of the famous exclamation of the Emperor Titus:-- During the last week I have composed nothing worthy either of God or of man.

I run from Ananias to Caiaphas; to-night I shall be at Madame Wizegerod's, from there I shall drive to a musical soiree at Miss Kicka's.

You know how pleasant it is to be forced to improvise when one is tired! I have not often such happy thoughts as come sometimes under my fingers when I am with you.

And then the miserable instruments! In the same letter he relates that his parents are preparing a small room for him:-- A staircase leads from the entrance directly into it; there I shall have an old writing-desk, and this nook will be my retreat.
This remark calls up a passage in a letter written two years later from Vienna to his friend John Matuszynski:-- When your former colleagues, for instance, Rostkowski, Schuch, Freyer, Kyjewski, Hube, &c., are holding merry converse in my room, then think that I am laughing and enjoying myself with you.
A charming little genre picture of Chopin's home-life is to be found in one of his letters from Vienna (December 1, 1830) Having received news from Warsaw, he writes:-- The joy was general, for Titus also had letters from home.

I thank Celinski lor the enclosed note; it brought vividly back to me the time when I was still amongst you: it seemed to me as if I were sitting at the piano and Celinski standing opposite me looking at Mr.Zywny, who just then treated Linowski to a pinch of snuff.