The leader, Mr.Koethen, I have reason to believe, often pardoned the discords I produced in the choir because of my enthusiasm in the cause.

When, at a later date, I became acquainted with the oratorios in full, it was a pleasure to find that several of those considered in musical circles as the gems of Handel's musical compositions were the ones that I as an ignorant boy had chosen as favorites.

So the beginning of my musical education dates from the small choir of the Swedenborgian Society of Pittsburgh.
I must not, however, forget that a very good foundation was laid for my love of sweet sounds in the unsurpassed minstrelsy of my native land as sung by my father.

There was scarcely an old Scottish song with which I was not made familiar, both words and tune.

Folk-songs are the best possible foundation for sure progress to the heights of Beethoven and Wagner.