These words were never truer than in Beethoven's own case. Although he was like a painter unable to see his finished picture, he went ahead with his work, exploring to the depths the hidden recesses of his own heart and mind. Deprived of outward energy, he strengthened his inner faculties. Having been made to drink to the dregs the cup of bitterness, he was yet victorious; and from his soul there continued to pour till his death strains of music that, in power, intense passion and tenderness have never been equalled, whether in sweet melodies or in complex harmonies. His indomitable persistence is expressed in his favourite maxim, which was the key of his life: "The barriers are not yet erected which can say to aspiring talent and industry, thus far and no farther.'*
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.