48.—UNLUCKY MANUSCRIPTS.
Some of the original manuscripts of valuable compositions have occasionally found strange resting places and been put to unforeseen uses. We have read of how Beethoven's cook used some of his precious leaves in kindling a fire and in wrapping up old pots and kettles; how the original pages of some priceless works of Bach were used by an ignorant gardener to tie round some young apple trees, thus to preserve them from harm; and how many of Schubert's beautiful melodies lay for years in garrets and in out-of-the-way corners, until resurrected by Schumann and other enthusiasts.
But perhaps the worst misfortune that ever happened to a composer in this line, fell upon Rinaldo di Capua, said to be the originator of the "recitative." Whether this honor justly belongs to him or not is, however, uncertain. Be that as it may, he was an excellent and industrious writer, and accumulated during his years of composition a goodly number of scores.
In his old age, feeling the need of the money they would bring from the publisher, he searched for them, but could find them nowhere. Further inquiries pointed to the probability that a profligate son, who had been the apple of the old man's eye, so to speak, had disposed of this valuable pile of manuscripts to a dealer in waste paper!