His legato playing delights me, but his compositions are not at all to my taste; nothing can afford a more glaring contrast than a Field's 'Nocturne' and a Field's manners, which are often of the cynical order. [...] He played to us a good deal in the evening; the delicacy and elegance, as well as the beauty of his touch, are admirable, but he lacks spirit and accent, as well as light and shade, and has no depth of feeling.