42.—ARTISTIC AVERSION TO EMPTY HONORS.
Many of the great musicians as well as great litterateurs and scientists have scorned the honors and decorations of courts and kings. As a general thing, an institution that honors a really great man with a degree, honors itself more than it does the man. This was the case when Oxford University granted Haydn the title of Doctor of Music. We might imagine how Beethoven would have received the proffer of such a title. His spirit of contempt for orders and decorations was well shown when the Prussian Ambassador at Vienna gave him his choice between fifty ducats, or to be decorated with the insignia of a certain high order. The answer was what we might expect from Beethoven, viz.: "Give me the ducats." Not every one would choose ducats in preference to decorations.
Rameau, one of the great French composers, was equally careless as to honorary distinction. Louis XV bestowed on him the order of St. Michael. Learning that Rameau had not registered it with the proper official, and supposing it was because of his inability to defray the necessary expenses, the King offered to pay the charges.
"I thank your Majesty," Rameau responded, "but let me have the money; I can find a much better use for it."
Mozart was another who would have chosen money rather than orders, rings, and gold snuff-boxes, had he been given a choice. He was overwhelmed with such things, but had hardly enough income to support his family in proper comfort. But those days are past; the artist and composer now receives more money and less snuff-box.