153.—A GENTLE CRITIC.
Mendelssohn was of gentle disposition, and was a kindly critic. This was evinced on one occasion when he heard what he considered too harsh criticisms on Donizetti's music. His ideas of music were entirely in opposition to those of this Italian composer of light operas. The friends and acquaintances who surrounded him one evening at a representation of one of Donizetti's operas knew this and sought to enter further into the good graces of this idol of the musical world at that time by flinging at the Italian's work harsh and contemptuous criticisms.
Finally Mendelssohn could endure it no longer, and tired of their attempts to curry favor with him at the expense of another composer, cried out:—
"I like it; and do you know, I should like to have composed such music myself!"