Beethoven often dipped his head in cold water before composing. He also regularly poured pitchers of water upon his hands (while humming) until his clothes were totally wet, whereupon he would pace around the room for some time before sitting at his table to write. As LUDICROUS as such scenes appeared, no one dared to disturb Beethoven's meditatations. His hosts, however, were often annoyed to find water dripping through their ceilings from the floor above.