Page:Selected letters of Mendelssohn 1894.djvu/103

Rh , 11th May, 1832. just describe to you one very delightful morning last week. It was the pleasantest and most touching instance of public recognition that has ever yet happened to me, and I perpetually recur to it with satisfaction. On Saturday morning there was a rehearsal at the Philharmonic, at which, however, nothing of my own was performed, for my overture was not yet completed. I was in a box during Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony and then went down to the floor of the hall to speak to some old acquaintances. Just as I got down, some one in the orchestra exclaimed: “There is Mendelssohn!” and on that they all began to shout and clap with such vehemence that for a time I was at a loss what to do; then as they were leaving off, some one else cried out: “Welcome to him!” and then the uproar began over again, and I was obliged to make my way down the hall and climb up into the orchestra, whence I conveyed my thanks to them. I shall never forget it, for that pleased me more than any distinction. It shows that the musical people like me, and are glad of my coming; altogether, it was a greater joy than I can tell you. .