Chopin is a favourite musician of mine; he is perhaps, the genius of Poland. This is only a guess, however, for I know very little of the Polish people. To me his music expresses a deep, melodious melancholy, or with formal but most supple grace, a cold brilliant revelry; and these, I gather, are the features of the character of an aristocracy, to whom, because of several conditions of life, a naturally despondent temper, and a dark, proud hatred of the power that has overcome them, dancing nightly with haughty and elaborate pleasure is life.