Finaroli was a light, sprightly, animated little man, about fifty : he heard me sing, and was pleased to say, I evinced promising abilities; he took me to see his Conservatorio, in which there were between three and four hundred boys ; they studied composition, singing, and to play on all instruments. There were several rooms, but in the great school-room, into which I was introduced, there were some singing, others playing upon the violin, hautboy, clarionet, horn, trumpet, &c. &c. each different music, and in different keys. The noise was horrible; and in the midst of this terrific Babel, the boy who studied composition was expected to perform his task, and harmonize a melody given him by his master. I left the place in disgust, and swore to myself never to become an inmate of it.