107.—THE "OX" MINUET.
There is no sensible reason for the titles attached to many pieces of music, some of them even classical selections. Most generally they are placed there as an attempt of some publisher to "boom" his stock and sell his goods. Then, again, some peculiar titles may have their origin in incidents about as important as the following:
Haydn one day received a visit from a butcher who stated that himself and his daughter were admirers of Haydn's music; and as the young lady was soon to be married, he made bold to ask that the composer write a minuet for her wedding. Kind "Papa Haydn" consented, and in a few days the man of meat secured his music. Not long afterward, Haydn was surprised to hear this same minuet played under his window. On looking out he saw a band of musicians forming a ring around a large ox, tastefully decorated with flowers. Soon the butcher came up and presented the ox to Haydn, saying that for such excellent music he thought he ought to make the composer a present of the best ox in his possession. Ever after, this little composition was called the "Ox" minuet.