I always declare that I will die like a gentleman, on a decent bed, surrounded by casts (as I cannot buy the marbles) of the Venuses, of the Apollos, and of the Graces, and the busts of great men; nay, even among flowers, and, if possible, with some graceful innocent girl playing an old pianoforte in an adjoining room.

Instantly she rose; closed the pianoforte softly; and sat down at some distance from it.

When I lived on the coast of Florida I had a tame tarpon, which could swallow anythingcroquet balls, door scrapersand once ate an entire cottage pianoforte in half-an-hour.

I once hidto avoid the ignominy of going to bedin the upright (cabinet) pianoforte, which in its lowest part had a sort of tiny cupboard.

In the drawing-room stood a new grand pianoforte, and light gilt chairs and sofas, looking strangely out of place on the field of war.

Dante, quoted by Galilei, testifies to the fact that Italy received the harp from Ireland; and, it may be added, the Irish harp suggested the pianoforte.

Pray do not forget the pianoforte among your occupations, or, indeed, music generally.