Mozart As A Freemason.

Emperor . Born , ' who disapproved the change , ancl who had previously been universally respected , bad to endure many personal attacks ; an unpleasant encounter with Joseph Kratter called forth a long list of odious pamphlets . Born withdrew

altogether fron the Lodge in 178 G . This was a perceptible loss for the intellectual vigour of the Lodge . Others followed Ms example . The Order Avas obliged " to submit openly to ever-increasing assaults ancl suspicions , Avhich afterwards led to public

ill-will against it . But not a few Brethren remained constant . Mozart belonged to those zealous ones , ancl up to the time of his death was interested in the lodge . He even , according to information imparted by his Avifehad entertained the idea of

, establishing a secret society of bis OAVII , " die Grotto , " and dreAV up rules for it . The thought of being helped on to success through the Order could scarcely haA'e moved Mozart to enter it ; such considerations did not exist in his character . The

result shows this , for his connection Avith the Order Avas of no pecuniary profit to him . His relations Avitb Puchberg , of Avhom he speaks later in his letters , were purely private , even if the circumstance that thev were Freemasons exercised an

important influence thereon . In the respect in which tbe Order stood Avben Mozart came to Vienna , when the most important , most cultivated men , whom he everywhere met in the best society , belonged to it , it is not to be Avondered at if Mozart was also attracted to it ; indeed

, the necessity of a more earnest , more solid and more intellectual conversation , Avhich he would expect to see satisfied here , must bave led him thither . But we find also other traits deeply implanted in Mozart ' s nature , which were so allied with what the

Order designated as its chief object , that they well show why Mozart , that genial , honest man , joined himself Avitb his whole soul to this society . . Above all , bis humanit y , his Avarm sympathy for human joys ancl sorrows , the heartfelt longing to

help and to do good , Avhich amounted even to a weakness in him ; but most of all an active feeling for friendship , which was peculiarl y prominent in his character , must ha-ve induced him to join the Order . A societ y which bad for its object the

fraternization of its members could not but possess strong attractions for him ; so much

the more as that peculiarly lively feeling of independence , which he possessed in common Avith every great nature , —the belief that a man should not bo esteemed merely for bis rank , station , and ancestral outward belongings , but for bis true worth ,

—found satisfaction in the corresponding principle of the equality of every brother within the Order . The polemic position Avhich tbe society assumed toward the monks would have tbe effect to attract rather than repel him .

If we have found grounds sufficient to show Mozart ' s attachment to the Order of Freemasonry , then Ave can accept Avith certainty the fact that his participation in the same exerted an influence on his advancement . That earnest and lively struggle for a freedom depending on intellectual and moral improvement Avhich

was so fervent at that time m Vienna , Avould in those years be essentially defended by the Freemasons . That Mozart was in earnest Avith Freemasonry is best shown by the fact that he exerted himself with success to move his worthy father to enter the Order ; a testimony Avhich his lodge

has given him in the funeral oration delivered at bis death . To bis connection Avitb Freemasonry , Mozart as a composer is indebted for many impulses , inasmuch as the " Macic Flute " " ( Zauberflote ) " Avas not only in plan and

text founded on Freemasonry , but the musical ideas also Avere essentially controlled b y it . Here Ave may mention tbe compositions Avhich Mozart prepared for appointed festivals in the Lodge . Naturally , they Avere written for male voices only , and betray also that he bound himself to certain cmrlitions and limitations .

A song of a soft , pleasing character is the " Goscllenreise , " composed on the 26 th of March , 1785 , which is printed with different text in Opus VL , page 28 , and which Ave , if it be thought best , might appropriate to ourselves through our beloved musical brethren . The original text

runs : " Ye who to a new grade of knowledge HOAV advance , walk firmly on your Avay ; know that it is the path of wisdom . Only the unwearied may approach the source of light . "

Another song , composed earlier , is accompanied by the organ , with a chorus for tenor and bass voices , and similar E