The Emperor Napoleon I. was passionately fond of Italian music, and wherever the Court stayed, several of the best artistes of the day might be found, who were treated with the greatest consideration. Paesiello was the Emperor's favourite amongst them; indeed, he took an unbounded interest in his success, and was so enchanted one day by a song Paesiello had just written, that he caught him by the hand, saying, "Without doubt you are the greatest composer that ever lived." "No, sire, I am not," replied he; "while Cimarosa lives, to him must be given the palm." Paesiello wrote the opera of "Proserpine," which was brought out at Paris under the auspices of the Emperor; but somehow or other it did not suit the French taste, and proved a failure. Napoleon was furious at the non-success of his protege’s opera, and observed, "It is not to be wondered at, for the French understand nothing of music." Paesiello thought so too; for though so highly patronised by the Emperor and court, he quitted France in disgust.