161.—WINE AND MUSIC.
There seems to be a close relation existing somehow between wine and music. Those countries that produce the most wine seem to be likewise the most successful in turning out good music and plenty of it. The world would hardly know it if all the music written outside of Germany, Italy, and France were to be lost. There has some good music come from England and Russia, but its absence would not be greatly felt. England's great musician, Händel, was thoroughly German in birth, temperament, education, and style of composition. Italy, France, and Germany are the great wine-producing countries, and might be called likewise the great musician-producing lands.
Then, I wonder if a liking for the juice of the grape has anything to do with fecundity of musical ideas. Of all the great composers, and likewise those who come very near the limits of greatness, hardly one can be mentioned who was averse to "the cup that cheers." A teetotaller among composers is a rara avis.
On the other hand, it might be said that it would have been better for several musicians of great fame if they had heeded the injunction to "touch not." Lulli, Mozart, and especially Schubert, all spent too much time over their cups for their own good, and they have not been without followers in this respect among musicians of lesser fame. Doubtless the great composers could have lived without their wine and beer, but doubtless they never did.