Robert Franz, a German composer, born at Halle, June 28, 1815.' His parents were in moderate circumstances, and having themselves no love for music discountenanced it in their son. It was not till his 14th year that he ob-tained even elementary instruction in music, and that of the most imperfect kind and under every disadvantage. His passion was however so great that he was unable to follow his studies at college to any good purpose, and at last his parents were obliged to yield, and sent him for musical tuition to Schneider at Dessau. Here he learned but little, and returning to Halle was left to grope his own way. He obtained the works of Bach, Handel, and Schubert, and studied them. He now began to compose, and Schumann obtained for him a publisher for his early songs. It was at once seen that he possessed individuality of style, elevated feeling, and a happy gift of melody. His songs are several hundred in number, and in merit they rank next after Schubert's. They have obtained a great popularity in the United States as well as in Germany. He has written very valuable accompaniments for many of the arias from Handel's Italian operas that otherwise would have become obsolete; also new accompaniments to the Matthaus passion music of Bach; and so thoroughly has he imbued himself with the spirit and forms of these old masters that the new work adapts itself perfectly to the old, and restores to the world some most valuable works.

Franz has always lived at Halle, in the conservatory of which he is professor. He is blind.