Beethoven's Letters VOL 1 (1790-1826)

8/2/2019 Beethoven's Letters VOL 1 (1790-1826)

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/beethovens-letters-vol-1-1790-1826 1/133

Title:Beethoven'sLetters1790-1826,Volume1of2

Author:LadyWallace

ReleaseDate:July31,2004[EBook#13065]

Language:English

Charactersetencoding:ISO-8859-1

***STARTOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKBEETHOVEN'SLETTERS1790-1826***

ProducedbyJulietSutherland,JohnWilliamsandtheOnlineDistributedProofreadingTeam.

BEETHOVEN'SLETTERS.

(1790-1826.)

FROMTHECOLLECTIONOFDR.LUDWIGNOHL.

ALSOHIS

LETTERSTOTHEARCHDUKERUDOLPH,CARDINAL-ARCHBISHOPOFOLMÜTZ,K.W.,FROMTHECOLLECTIONOFDR.

LUDWIGRITTERVONKÖCHEL.

TRANSLATEDBYLADYWALLACE.

_WITHAPORTRAITANDFAC-SIMILE._

INTWOVOLUMES.

VOL.I.

BOSTON:

OLIVERDITSON&CO.,277WASHINGTONSTREET.

NEWYORK:C.H.DITSON&CO.



TRANSLATOR'SPREFACE.

SinceundertakingthetranslationofDr.LudwigNohl'svaluableeditionof"Beethoven'sLetters,"anadditionalcollectionhasbeenpublishedbyDr.LudwigRittervonKöchel,consistingofmanyinterestinglettersaddressedbyBeethoventohisillustriouspupil,H.R.H.theArchdukeRudolph,Cardinal-ArchbishopofOlmütz.TheseIhaveinsertedinchronologicalorder,andmarkedwiththeletterK.,inordertodistinguishthemfromthecorrespondenceeditedbyDr.Nohl.Ihaveonlyomittedafewbriefnotes,consistingmerelyofapologiesfornon-attendanceontheArchduke.

Theartisticvalueofthesenewlydiscoveredtreasureswillnodoubtbeashighlyappreciatedinthiscountryasinthegreat_maestro's_Father-land.

ImustalsoexpressmygratitudetoDr.Th.G.v.Karajan,forpermittinganengravingtobemadeexpresslyforthiswork,fromanoriginalBeethovenportraitinhispossession,nowforthefirsttimegiventothepublic.Thegrandandthoughtfulcountenanceformsafittingintroductiontoletterssotrulydepictingthebrilliant,fitfulgeniusofthesublimemaster,aswellasthetouchingsadnessandgloompervadinghislife,whichhisdevotiontoArtalonebrightened,throughmanybittertrialsandharassingcares.

TheloveofBeethoven'smusicisnowbecomesouniversalinEngland,thatImakenodoubthisLetterswillreceiveaheartywelcomefromallthosewhosespiritshavebeenelevatedandsoothedbythegeniusofthisillustriousman.

GRACEWALLACE.

AINDERBYHALL,March28,1866.

PREFACE

BYDR.LUDWIGNOHL

TOTHE

LETTERSOFLUDWIGVANBEETHOVEN.

InaccompanyingthepresenteditionoftheLettersofLudwigvanBeethovenwithafewintroductoryremarks,Iatonceacknowledgethatthecompilationoftheselettershascostmenoslightsacrifices.Imustalso,however,mentionthatanunexpectedChristmasdonation,generouslybestowedonmewithaviewtofurthermyeffortstopromotethescienceofmusic,enabled

metoundertakeoneofthejourneysnecessaryformypurpose,andalsotocompletetherevisionoftheLettersandofthepress,inthemilderairandreposeofacountryresidence,longsincerecommendedtomefortherestorationofmyhealth,underminedbyoverwork.

That,inspiteofeveryeffort,Ihavenotsucceededinseeingtheoriginalofeachletter,orevendiscoveringtheplacewhereitexists,maywellbeexcused,takingintoconsiderationtheslendercapabilitiesofanindividual,andtheastonishingmannerinwhichBeethoven'sLettersaredispersedallovertheworld.Atthesametime,Imuststatethatnotonly



havethehithertoinaccessibletreasuresofAntonSchindler's"Beethoven'sNachlass"beenplacedatmydisposal,butalsootherlettersfromprivatesources,owingtovarioushappychances,andthekindnessandcomplaisanceofcollectorsofautographs.Iknowbetter,however,thanmostpeople--beinginapositiontodoso--thatinthepresentworktherecanbenopretensiontoanythingapproachingtoacompletecollectionofBeethoven'sLetters.Themaster,sofondofwriting,thoughheoftenratheramusinglyaccuseshimselfofbeingalazycorrespondent,mayveryprobablyhavesentforthatleastdoubletheamountofthelettersheregiven,andthereisnodoubtwhateverthatamuchlargernumberarestillextantintheoriginals.Theonlythingthatcanbedoneatthismoment,however,istomaketheattempttobringtolight,atallevents,thelettersthatcouldbediscoveredinGermany.ThemassofthosewhichIgraduallyaccumulated,andnowoffertothepublic(withtheexceptionofsomeinsignificantnotes),appearedtomesufficientlynumerousandimportanttointeresttheworld,andalsotoformasubstantialnucleusforanylettersthatmayhereafterbediscovered.Ontheotherhand,asmanyofBeethoven'sLettersslumberinforeignlands,especiallyintheunapproachablecabinetsofcuriositiesbelongingtovariousclose-fistedEnglishcollectors,anentireeditionofthecorrespondencecouldonlybeeffectedbyamostdisproportionateoutlayoftimeandexpense.

WhenrevisingthetextoftheLetters,itseemedtomeneedlessperpetuallytoimpairthepleasureofthereaderbyretainingthemistakesin

orthography;butenoughofthestyleofwritingofthatdayisadheredto,topreventitspeculiarcharmbeingentirelydestroyed.DistortedandincorrectasBeethoven'smodeofexpressionsometimesis,Ihavenotpresumedtoalterhisgrammar,orrathersyntax,inthesmallestdegree:whowouldpresumetodosowithanindividualitywhich,evenamidstartlingclumsinessofstyle,displaysthoseinherentintellectualpowersthatoftendidviolencetolanguageaswellastohisfellow-men?CyclopeanmassesofrockareherehurledwithCyclopeanforce;buthardandmassiveastheyare,themanisnottobeenviedwhoseheartisnottouchedbytheseglowingfragments,flungapparentlyatrandomrightandleft,likemeteors,byamightyintellectualbeing,howeverperversethetreatmentlanguagemayhavereceivedfromhim.

Thegreatpeculiarity,however,inthisstrangemodeofexpressionis,thatevensuchincongruouslanguagefaithfullyreflectsthemindofthemanwhosenaturewasofpropheticdepthandheroicforce;andwhothatknowsanythingofthecreativegeniusofaBeethovencandenyhimtheseattributes?

Theantiquedignitypervadingthewholeman,theethicalcontemplationoflifeformingthebasisofhisnature,preventedevenamomentarywishonmyparttoeffaceasinglewordoftheoft-recurringexpressionssopainfullyharsh,borderingontheunaesthetic,andevenontherepulsive,provokedbyhiswrathagainstthemeannessofmen.Inthelastpartofthesegenuinedocuments,welearnwithafeelingofsadness,andwithalmostatragicsensation,howlowwasthestandardofmoralworth,orratherhowgreatwas

thepositiveunworthiness,oftheintimatesocietysurroundingthemaster,andwithwhatdifficultyhecouldmaintainthepurityofthenoblerpartofhisbeinginsuchanatmosphere.Themanner,indeed,inwhichhestrivestodoso,fluctuatingbetweenexplosionsofharshnessandalmostweakyieldingness,whilestrivingtomasterthebasethoughtsandconductofthesemen,thoughneverentirelysucceedingindoingso,isoftenmoreadivertingthananoffensivespectacle.Inmyopinion,nevertheless,eventhislesspleasingaspectoftheLettersoughtnottobeintheslightestdegreesoftened(whichithashithertobeen,owingtofalseviewsofproprietyandmorality),foritisnomoraldeformityheredisplayed.



Indeed,evenwhentheirritablemasterhasrecoursetoexpressionsrepugnanttooursenseofconventionality,andwhichmaywellbecalledharshandrough,stillthewraththatseizesonourheroisajustandrighteouswrath,andwedisregardit,justasinNature,whosegrandeurconstantlyelevatesusabovetheinevitablestainsofanearthlysoil.Thecoarsenessandill-breeding,whichwouldclaimtolerationbecausethisgreatmannowandthenshowedsuchfeelings,mustbewareofdoingso,beingcertaintomakeshipwreckwhencomingincontactwiththemassiverockoftruemoralityonwhich,withallhisfaultsanddeficiencies,Beethoven'sbeingwassurelygrounded.Often,indeed,whenabsorbedintheunsophisticatedandgenuineutterancesofthisgreatman,itseemsasifthesepeculiaritiesandstrangeasperitiesweretheresultsofsomemysteriouslawofNature,sothatweareinclinedtoadopttheparadoxbywhichawitoncedescribedthesingulargroundworkofournature,--"Thefaultsofmanarethenightinwhichherestsfromhisvirtues."

Indeed,Ithinkthattheloftymoralityofsuchnaturesisnotfullyevidentuntilweareobligedtoconfesswithregret,thateventhegreatonesoftheearthmustpaytheirtributetohumanity,andreallydopayit(whichisthedistinctionbetweenthemandbaseandpettycharacters),withoutbeingeverentirelyhurledfromtheirpedestalofdignityandvirtue.Thesoulofthatmancannotfailtobeelevated,whocanseizetherealspiritofthescatteredpagesthatahappychancehaspreservedforus.Ifnotfetteredbypettyfeelings,hewillquicklysurmountthecasual

obstaclesandstumbling-blockswhichthefirstperusaloftheseLettersmayseemtopresent,andquicklyfeelhimselftransportedatasinglestrideintoastream,whereastrangeroaringandrushingisheard,butabovewhichloftiertonesresoundwithmagicandexcitingpower.Forapeculiarlifebreathesintheselines;anunder-currentrunsthroughtheirapparentlyunconnectedimport,unitingthemaswithanelectricchain,andwithfirmerlinksthananymerecoherenceofsubjectscouldhaveeffected.Iexperiencedthismyself,tothemostremarkabledegree,whenIfirstmadetheattempttoarrange,inaccordancewiththeirperiodandsubstance,thehundredsofindividualpagesbearingneitherdatenoraddress,andIwassoonconvincedthataconnectingtext(suchasMozart'sLettershave,andoughttohave)wouldbehereentirelysuperfluous,aseventhebestbiographicalcommentarywouldbeverydrywork,interruptingtheelectric

currentofthewhole,andthusdestroyingitspeculiareffect.

Andnow,whatisthisspiritwhich,foranintelligentmind,bindstogetherthesescatteredfragmentsintoawhole,andwhatisitsactualpower?Icannottell;butIfeeltothisdayjustasIfelttotheinnermostdepthsofmyheartinthedaysofmyyouthwhenIfirstheardasymphonyofBeethoven's,--thataspiritbreathesfromitbearingusaloftwithgiantpoweroutoftheoppressiveatmosphereofsense,stirringtoitsinmostrecessestheheartofman,bringinghimtothefullconsciousnessofhisloftierbeing,andoftheundyingwithinhim.Andevenmoredistinctlythanwhenanewworldwasthusdisclosedtohisyouthfulfeelingsisthe_man_ fullyconsciousthatnotonlywasthisanewworldtohim,butanewworldoffeelinginitself,revealingtothespiritphasesofitsown,which,

tillBeethovenappeared,hadneverbeforebeenfathomed.Callitbywhatnameyouwill,whenoneofthegreatworksofthesublimemasterisheard,whetherindicativeofproudself-consciousness,freedom,spring,love,storm,orbattle,itgraspsthesoulwithsingularforce,andenlargesthelaboringbreast.Whetheramanunderstandsmusicornot,everyonewhohasaheartbeatingwithinhisbreastwillfeelwithenchantmentthathereisconcentratedtheutmostpromisedtousbythemostimaginativeofourpoets,inbrightvisionsofhappinessandfreedom.Eventheonlygreatheroofaction,whointhosememorabledaysisworthytostandbesidethegreatmasterofharmony,havingdiffusedamongmankindnewandpricelessearthly



treasures,sinksinthescalewhenwecomparethesewiththecelestialtreasuresofapurifiedanddeeperfeeling,andamorefree,enlarged,andsublimeviewoftheworld,strugglinggraduallyanddistinctlyupwardsoutofthemerefrivolityofanartdevoidofwordstoexpressitself,andimpressingitsstamponthespiritoftheage.Theyconvey,too,theknowledgeofthisbrightestvictoryofgenuineGermanintellecttothoseforwhomthesweetMuseofMusicisasabookwithsevenseals,andreveal,likewise,amoreprofoundsenseofBeethoven'sbeingtomanywhoalready,throughthesweettonestheyhaveimbibed,enjoysomedawningconvictionofthemaster'sgrandeur,andwhonowmoreandmoreeagerlylendalisteningeartotheintellectualclearlywordedstrainssoskilfullyinterwoven,thussoontoarriveatthefullandblissfulcomprehensionofthosegrandoutpouringsofthespirit,andfinallytoaddanotherbrightdelighttotheenjoymentofthosewhoalreadyknowandloveBeethoven.AllthesemayberegardedastheobjectsIhadinviewwhenIundertooktoedithisLetters,whichhavealsobestowedonmyselfthebestrecompenseofmylabors,inthehumbleconvictionthatbythismeansImayhavevividlyreawakenedintheremembranceofmanythemightymissionwhichourageiscalledontoperformforthedevelopmentofourrace,evenintherealmofharmony,--moreespeciallyinourFather-land.

LUDWIGNOHL.

LATOURDEPERLZ--LAKEOFGENEVA,

March,1865.

CONTENTSOFVOLUMEI.

FIRSTPART.

LIFE'SJOYSANDSORROWS1783-1816.

1.TotheElectorofCologne,FrederickMaximilian.2.ToDr.Schade,Augsburg3.TotheElectorMaximilianFrancis4.ToEleonorevonBreuning,Bonn5.TotheSame6.ToHerrSchenk7.ToDr.Wegeler,Vienna8.TotheSame9.LineswrittenintheAlbumofL.vonBreuning10.ToBaronZmeskallvonDomanowecz11.UkasetoZmeskall,Schuppanzigh,andLichnowsky12.ToPastorAmenda,Courland

13.TotheSame14.ToWegeler15.ToCountessGiuliettaGuicciardi16.ToMatthisson17.ToFrauFrank,Vienna18.ToWegeler19.ToKapellmeisterHofmeister,Leipzig20.TotheSame21.TotheSame22.TotheSame



23.DedicationtoDr.Schmidt24.ToFerdinandRies25.ToHerrHofmeister,Leipzig26.ToCarlandJohannBeethoven27.Notice28.ToFerdinandRies29.ToHerrHofmeister,Leipzig30.Caution31.ToRies32.TotheSame33.TotheSame34.TotheSame35.TotheComposerLeidesdorf,Vienna36.ToRies37.TotheSame38.TotheSame39.ToMessrs.Artaria&Co.40.ToPrincessLiechtenstein41.ToHerrMeyer42.TestimonialforC.Czerny43.ToHerrRöckel44.ToHerrCollin,CourtSecretaryandPoet45.ToHerrGleichenstein46.TotheDirectorsoftheCourtTheatre

47.ToCountFranzvonOppersdorf48.NoticeofaMemorialtotheArchdukeRudolph,PrinceKinsky,andPrinceLobkowitz49.MemorialtotheSame50.ToZmeskall51.ToFerdinandRies52.ToZmeskall53.TotheSame54.TotheSame55.TotheSame56.TotheSame57.TotheSame58.TotheSame

59.ToFreiherrvonHammer-Purgstall60.TotheSame61.ToBaronessvonDrossdick62.ToMdlle.deGerardi63.ToZmeskall64.ToWegeler65.ToZmeskall66.ToBettinaBrentano67.TotheSame68.ToZmeskall69.TotheSame70.TotheArchdukeRudolph71.ToaDearFriend

72.TotheDramaticPoetTreitschke73.ToZmeskall74.TotheSame75.TotheSame76.TotheSame77.TotheSame78.TotheSame79.TotheSame80.ToKammerprocuratorVarenna,Gratz81.ToZmeskall



82.TotheSame83.ToVarenna,Gratz84.ToZmeskall85.ToVarenna86.ToArchdukeRudolph87.TotheSame88.ToVarenna,Gratz89.ToJosephFreiherrvonSchweiger90.ToVarenna,Gratz91.LineswrittenintheAlbumofMdme.AugusteSebald92.ToArchdukeRudolph93.ToBettinavonArnim94.ToPrincessKinsky95.ToArchdukeRudolph96.TotheSame97.TotheSame98.ToPrincessKinsky99.TotheSame100.ToZmeskall101.ToHerrJosephVarenna,Gratz102.TotheSame103.ToZmeskall104.TotheSame105.TotheSame

106.TotheSame107.TotheSame108.TotheSame109.TotheSame110.ToArchdukeRudolph111.TotheSame112.TotheSame113.ToFreiherrJosefvonSchweiger114.ToHerrvonBaumeister115.ToZmeskall116.LetterofThanks117.TotheArchdukeRudolph118.TotheSame

119.TotheSame120.ToTreitschke121.TotheSame122.TotheSame123.ToCountLichnowsky.124.TotheSame125.TotheArchdukeRudolph126.TotheSame127.Deposition128.ToDr.Kauka,Prague.129.AddressandAppealtoLondonArtists130.ToDr.Kauka131.ToCountMoritzLichnowsky

132.TotheArchdukeRudolph133.TotheSame134.TotheSame135.TotheSame136.TotheSame137.TotheSame138.TotheSame139.TotheSame140.ToDr.Kauka141.TotheSame



142.TotheSame143.TotheMembersoftheLandrecht144.ToBaronvonPasqualati145.ToDr.Kauka146.TotheArchdukeRudolph

SECONDPART.

LIFE'SMISSION.1815-1822.

147.MusicwritteninSpohr'sAlbum148.ToDr.Kauka149.TotheSame150.TotheSame151.ToMr.Salomon,London152.TotheArchdukeRudolph153.TotheSame154.TotheSame155.TotheSame

156.TotheSame157.TotheSame158.ToMr.Birchall,MusicPublisher,London159.ToZmeskall160.TotheArchdukeRudolph161.ToMessrs.Birchall,London162.ToHerrRies163.ToZmeskall164.ToMdlle.Milder-Hauptmann165.ToRies166.ToMr.Birchall,London167.ToCzerny168.TotheSame

169.ToRies,London170.ToGiannatasiodelRio,Vienna171.TotheSame172.TotheSame173.TotheSame174.ToFerdinandRies,London175.TotheSame176.PowerofAttorney177.ToFerdinandRies178.ToGiannatasiodelRio179.TotheSame180.TotheArchdukeRudolph181.ToMr.BirchallLondon

182.TotheSame183.ToGiannatasiodelRio184.TotheSame185.ToZmeskall186.ToDr.Kauka187.Query188.ToGiannatasiodelRio189.TotheSame190.ToWegeler191.ToMr.Birchall,London



192.ToZmeskall193.TotheArchdukeRudolph194.ToFreiherrvonSchweiger195.ToGiannatasiodelRio196.TotheSame197.TotheSame198.TotheSame199.ToHerrTschischka200.ToMr.Birchall201.ToZmeskall202.ToFrauvonStreicher203.TotheSame204.TotheSame205.TotheSame206.TotheSame207.TotheArchdukeRudolph208.ToGiannatasiodelRio209.TotheSame210.TotheSame211.ToHofrathvonMosel212.ToS.A.Steiner,MusicPublisher,Vienna213.TotheSame214.TotheSame215.ToZmeskall

FIRSTPART.

LIFE'SJOYSANDSORROWS.1783TO1815.

BEETHOVEN'SLETTERS.

PARTI.

1.

TOTHEELECTOROFCOLOGNE,FREDERICKMAXIMILIAN.[1]

ILLUSTRIOUSPRINCE,--

Musicfrommyfourthyearhaseverbeenmyfavoritepursuit.Thusearly

introducedtothesweetMuse,whoattunedmysoultopureharmony,Ilovedher,andsometimesventuredtothinkthatIwasbelovedbyherinreturn.Ihavenowattainedmyeleventhyear,andmyMuseoftenwhisperedtomeinhoursofinspiration,--Trytowritedowntheharmoniesinyoursoul.Onlyelevenyearsold!thoughtI;doesthecharacterofanauthorbefitme?andwhatwouldmorematureartistssay?Ifeltsometrepidation;butmyMusewilledit--soIobeyed,andwrote.

MayInow,therefore,IllustriousPrince,presumetolaythefirst-fruitsofmyjuvenilelaborsatthefootofyourthrone?andmayIhopethatyou



willcondescendtocastanencouragingandkindlyglanceonthem?Youwill;forArtandSciencehaveeverfoundinyouajudiciousprotectorandagenerouspatron,andrisingtalenthasalwaysprosperedunderyourfosteringandfatherlycare.Encouragedbythischeeringconviction,Iventuretoapproachyouwiththesemyyouthfulefforts.Acceptthemasthepureofferingofchildlikereverence,andgraciouslyvouchsafetoregardwithindulgencethemandtheiryouthfulcomposer,

LUDWIGVANBEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:Thededicationaffixedtothiswork,"ThreeSonatasforthePiano,dedicatedtomyillustriousmaster,MaximilianFriedrich,ArchbishopandElectorofCologne,byLudwigvanBeethoveninhiseleventhyear,"isprobablynotwrittenbytheboyhimself,butisgivenhereasanamusingcontrasttohissubsequentideaswithregardtothehomageduetorank.]

2.

TODR.SCHADE,--AUGSBURG.

Bonn,1787.Autumn.

MYMOSTESTEEMEDFRIEND,--

Icaneasilyimaginewhatyoumustthinkofme,andIcannotdenythatyouhavetoogoodgroundsforanunfavorableopinion.Ishallnot,however,attempttojustifymyself,untilIhaveexplainedtoyouthereasonswhymyapologiesshouldbeaccepted.ImusttellyouthatfromthetimeIleftAugsburg[1]mycheerfulness,aswellasmyhealth,begantodecline;thenearerIcametomynativecity,themorefrequentwerethelettersfrommyfather,urgingmetotravelwithallpossiblespeed,asmymother'shealthwasinamostprecariouscondition.IthereforehurriedforwardsasfastasIcould,althoughmyselffarfromwell.Mylongingoncemoretoseemydyingmotherovercameeveryobstacle,andassistedmeinsurmountingthegreatestdifficulties.Ifoundmymotherindeedstillalive,butinthemostdeplorablestate;herdiseasewasconsumption,andaboutsevenweeks

ago,aftermuchpainandsuffering,shedied[July17].Shewasindeedakind,lovingmothertome,andmybestfriend.Ah!whowashappierthanI,whenIcouldstillutterthesweetnameofmother,anditwasheard?ButtowhomcanInowsayit?Onlytothesilentformresemblingher,evokedbythepowerofimagination.Ihavepassedveryfewpleasanthourssincemyarrivalhere,havingduringthewholetimebeensufferingfromasthma,whichmay,Ifear,eventuallyturntoconsumption;tothisisaddedmelancholy,--almostasgreatanevilasmymaladyitself.Imagineyourselfinmyplace,andthenIshallhopetoreceiveyourforgivenessformylongsilence.YoushowedmeextremekindnessandfriendshipbylendingmethreeCarolinsinAugsburg,butImustentreatyourindulgenceforatime.Myjourneycostmeagreatdeal,andIhavenotthesmallesthopesofearninganythinghere.FateisnotpropitioustomeinBonn.Pardonmyintrudingon

yousolongwithmyaffairs,butallthatIhavesaidwasnecessaryformyownjustification.

Idoentreatyounottodeprivemeofyourvaluablefriendship;nothingdoIwishsomuchasinanydegreetobecomeworthyofyourregard.Iam,withallesteem,yourobedientservantandfriend,

L.V.BEETHOVEN,

_CologneCourtOrganist._



[Footnote1:OnhisreturnfromVienna,whitherMaxFranzhadsenthimforthefurthercultivationofhistalents.]

3.

TOTHEELECTORMAXIMILIANFRANCIS.[1]

1793.

MOSTILLUSTRIOUSANDGRACIOUSPRINCE,--

SomeyearsagoyourHighnesswaspleasedtograntapensiontomyfather,theCourttenorVanBeethoven,andfurthergraciouslytodecreethat100R.Thalersofhissalaryshouldbeallottedtome,forthepurposeofmaintaining,clothing,andeducatingmytwoyoungerbrothers,andalsodefrayingthedebtsincurredbyourfather.ItwasmyintentiontopresentthisdecreetoyourHighness'streasurer,butmyfatherearnestlyimploredmetodesistfromdoingso,thathemightnotbethuspubliclyproclaimedincapablehimselfofsupportinghisfamily,addingthathewouldengagetopaymethe25R.T.quarterly,whichhepunctuallydid.Afterhisdeath,however(inDecemberlast),wishingtoreapthebenefitofyourHighness'sgraciousboon,bypresentingthedecree,Iwasstartledtofindthatmy

fatherhaddestroyedit.Itherefore,withalldutifulrespect,entreatyourHighnesstorenewthisdecree,andtoorderthepaymasterofyourHighness'streasurytograntmethelastquarterofthisbenevolentadditiontomysalary(duethebeginningofFebruary).Ihavethehonortoremain,

YourHighness'smostobedientandfaithfulservant,

LUD.V.BEETHOVEN,

_CourtOrganist._

[Footnote1:AnelectoraldecreewasissuedincompliancewiththisrequestonMay3,1793.]

4.

TOELEONOREVONBREUNING,--BONN.

Vienna,Nov.2,1793.

MYHIGHLYESTEEMEDELEONORE,MYDEARESTFRIEND,--

Ayearofmystayinthiscapitalhasnearlyelapsedbeforeyoureceivea

letterfromme,andyetthemostvividremembranceofyouiseverpresentwithme.Ihaveoftenconversedinthoughtwithyouandyourdearfamily,thoughnotalwaysinthehappymoodIcouldhavewished,forthatfatalmisunderstandingstillhoveredbeforeme,andmyconductatthattimeisnowhatefulinmysight.Butsoitwas,andhowmuchwouldIgivetohavethepowerwhollytoobliteratefrommylifeamodeofactingsodegradingtomyself,andsocontrarytotheusualtenorofmycharacter!

Manycircumstances,indeed,contributedtoestrangeus,andIsuspectthatthosetale-bearerswhorepeatedalternatelytoyouandtomeourmutual



expressionswerethechiefobstaclestoanygoodunderstandingbetweenus.Eachbelievedthatwhatwassaidproceededfromdeliberateconviction,whereasitaroseonlyfromanger,fannedbyothers;sowewerebothmistaken.Yourgoodandnobledisposition,mydearfriend,issufficientsecuritythatyouhavelongsinceforgivenme.Wearetoldthatthebestproofofsincerecontritionistoacknowledgeourfaults;andthisiswhatIwishtodo.Letusnowdrawaveiloverthewholeaffair,learningonelessonfromit,--thatwhenfriendsareatvariance,itisalwaysbettertoemploynomediator,buttocommunicatedirectlywitheachother.

Withthisyouwillreceiveadedicationfromme[thevariationson"Sevuolballare"].Mysolewishisthattheworkweregreaterandmoreworthyofyou.Iwasappliedtoheretopublishthislittlework,andItakeadvantageoftheopportunity,mybelovedEleonore,togiveyouaproofofmyregardandfriendshipforyourself,andalsoatokenofmyenduringremembranceofyourfamily.Praythenacceptthistrifle,anddonotforgetthatitisofferedbyadevotedfriend.Oh!ifitonlygivesyoupleasure,mywisheswillbefulfilled.MayitinsomedegreerecallthetimewhenIpassedsomanyhappyhoursinyourhouse!PerhapsitmayservetoremindyouofmetillIreturn,thoughthisisindeedadistantprospect.Oh!howweshallthenrejoicetogether,mydearEleonore!Youwill,Itrust,findyourfriendahappierman,allformerforbidding,carewornfurrowssmoothedawaybytimeandbetterfortune.

WhenyouseeB.Koch[subsequentlyCountessBelderbusch],praysaythatitisunkindinherneveroncetohavewrittentome.Iwrotetohertwice,andthreetimestoMalchus(afterwardsWestphalianMinisterofFinance),butnoanswer.Tellherthatifshedoesnotchoosetowriteherself,IbegthatshewillatleasturgeMalchustodoso.AtthecloseofmyletterIventuretomakeonemorerequest--IamanxioustobesofortunateasagaintopossessanAngolawaistcoatknittedbyyourownhand,mydearfriend.Forgivemyindiscreetrequest;itproceedsfrommygreatloveforallthatcomesfromyou;andImayprivatelyadmitthatalittlevanityisconnectedwithit,namely,thatImaysayIpossesssomethingfromthebestandmostadmiredyoungladyinBonn.IstillhavetheoneyouweresogoodastogivemeinBonn;butchangeoffashionhasmadeitlooksoantiquated,thatIcanonlytreasureitinmywardrobeasyourgift,andthusstillvery

deartome.Youwouldmakemeveryhappybysoonwritingmeakindletter.Ifminecauseyouanypleasure,Ipromiseyoutodoasyouwish,andwriteasoftenasitliesinmypower;indeedeverythingisacceptabletomethatcanservetoshowyouhowtrulyIamyouradmiringandsincerefriend,

L.V.BEETHOVEN.

P.S.Thevariationsareratherdifficulttoplay,especiallytheshakeinthe_Coda_;butdonotbealarmedatthis,beingsocontrivedthatyouonlyrequiretoplaytheshake,andleaveouttheothernotes,whichalsooccurintheviolinpart.Ineverwouldhavewrittenitinthisway,hadInotoccasionallyobservedthattherewasacertainindividualinViennawho,whenIextemporizedthepreviousevening,notunfrequentlywrotedownnext

daymanyofthepeculiaritiesofmymusic,adoptingthemashisown[forinstance,theAbbéGelinek].Concluding,therefore,thatsomeofthesethingswouldsoonappear,Iresolvedtoanticipatethis.Anotherreasonalsowastopuzzlesomeofthepianoforteteachershere,manyofwhomaremymortalfoes;soIwishedtorevengemyselfontheminthisway,knowingthattheywouldoccasionallybeaskedtoplaythevariations,whenthesegentlemenwouldnotappeartomuchadvantage.

BEETHOVEN.



5.

TOELEONOREVONBREUNING,--BONN.

Thebeautifulneckcloth,embroideredbyyourownhand,wasthegreatestpossiblesurprisetome;yet,welcomeasthegiftwas,itawakenedwithinmefeelingsofsadness.Itseffectwastorecallformerdays,andtoputmetoshamebyyournobleconducttome.I,indeed,littlethoughtthatyoustillconsideredmeworthyofyourremembrance.

Oh!ifyoucouldhavewitnessedmyemotionsyesterdaywhenthisincidentoccurred,youwouldnotthinkthatIexaggerateinsayingthatsuchatokenofyourrecollectionbroughttearstomyeyes,andmademefeelverysad.LittleasImaydeservefavorinyoureyes,believeme,mydear_friend_,(letmestillcallyouso,)Ihavesuffered,andstillsufferseverelyfromtheprivationofyourfriendship.NevercanIforgetyouandyourdearmother.Youweresokindtomethatyourlossneithercannorwillbeeasilyreplaced.IknowwhatIhaveforfeited,andwhatyouweretome,butinordertofillupthisblankImustrecurtoscenesequallypainfulforyoutohearandformetodetail.

Asaslightrequitalofyourkind_souvenir_,Itakethelibertytosendyousomevariations,andaRondowithviolinaccompaniment.Ihaveagreat

dealtodo,orIwouldlongsincehavetranscribedtheSonataIpromisedyou.Itisasyetameresketchinmanuscript,andtocopyitwouldbeadifficulttaskevenforthecleverandpractisedParaquin[counter-bassintheElectoralorchestra].YoucanhavetheRondocopied,andreturnthescore.WhatInowsendistheonlyoneofmyworksatallsuitableforyou;besides,asyouaregoingtoKerpen[whereanuncleofthefamilylived],Ithoughtthesetriflesmightcauseyoupleasure.

Farewell,myfriend;foritisimpossibleformetogiveyouanyothername.HoweverindifferentImaybetoyou,believeme,IshallevercontinuetorevereyouandyourmotherasIhavealwaysdone.IfIcaninanywaycontributetothefulfilmentofawishofyours,donotfailtoletmeknow,forIhavenoothermeansoftestifyingmygratitudeforpast

friendship.

Iwishyouanagreeablejourney,andthatyourdearmothermayreturnentirelyrestoredtohealth!Thinksometimesofyouraffectionatefriend,

BEETHOVEN.

6.

TOHERRSCHENK.

June,1794.

DEARSCHENK,[1]--

IdidnotknowthatIwastosetoffto-daytoEisenstadt.Ishouldliketohavetalkedtoyouagain.Inthemeantimerestassuredofmygratitudeforyourobligingservices.Ishallendeavor,sofarasitliesinmypower,torequitethem.Ihopesoontoseeyou,andoncemoretoenjoythepleasureofyoursociety.Farewell,anddonotentirelyforgetyour

BEETHOVEN.



[Footnote1:Schenk,afterwardscelebratedasthecomposerofthe"DorfBarbier,"wasforsometimeBeethoven'steacherincomposition.ThisnoteappearstohavebeenwritteninJune,1794,andfirstprintedinthe"Freischütz,"No.183,about1836,atthetimeofSchenk'sdeath,whenhisconnectionwithBeethovenwasmentioned.]

7.

TODR.WEGELER,--VIENNA.[1]

...Inwhatanodiouslighthaveyouexhibitedmetomyself!Oh!Iacknowledgeit,Idonotdeserveyourfriendship.ItwasnointentionalordeliberatemalicethatinducedmetoacttowardsyouasIdid,butinexcusablethoughtlessnessalone.

Isaynomore.Iamcomingtothrowmyselfintoyourarms,andtoentreatyoutorestorememylostfriend;andyouwillgivehimbacktome,toyourpenitent,loving,andever-grateful

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:Dr.Wegeler,inanswertomyrequestthathewouldsendmethe

entireletter,repliedthat"thepassagesomittedintheletterconsistedchieflyineulogiumsofhisfather,andenthusiasticexpressionsoffriendship,whichdidnotseemtohimtobeofanyvalue;butbesidesthis,thesamereasonsthatinducedhisfathertogiveonlyaportionoftheletterwereimperativewithhimalso."Idonotwishtocontestthepointwiththepossessoroftheletter;stillImayremarkthatalltheutterancesandlettersofagreatmanbelongtotheworldatlarge,andthatinacaselikethepresent,theconscientiousbiographer,whostrivesfaithfullytoportraysuchaman,isaloneentitledtodecidewhatportionofthesecommunicationsisfittedforpublication,andwhatisnot.Anyconsiderationsofapersonalcharacterseemtomeverytrivial.]

8.

TODR.WEGELER,--VIENNA.

Vienna,May1797.

Godspeedyou,mydearfriend!Ioweyoualetterwhichyoushallshortlyhave,andmynewestmusicbesides,_Iamgoingonwell;indeed,Imaysayeverydaybetter._Greetthosetowhomitwillgivepleasurefromme.Farewell,anddonotforgetyour

BEETHOVEN.

9.

WRITTENINTHEALBUMOFLENZVONBREUNING.

Vienna,Oct.1,1797.

Truthforthewise,Beautyforafeelingheart,Andbothforeachother.



MYDEAR,GOODBREUNING,--

NevercanIforgetthetimeIpassedwithyou,notonlyinBonn,buthere.Continueyourfriendshiptowardsme,foryoushallalwaysfindmethesametruefriend,

L.V.BEETHOVEN.

10.

TOBARONZMESKALLVONDOMANOWECZ.

1800.[1]

[Music:Alto,Tenor,Bassclefs,CMajor,4/4time,Grave.ALTO.Ba-ron.TENORE.Ba-ron.BASSO.Ba-ron.Ba-ron.Ba-ron.]

MYCHEAPEST(NOTDEAREST)BARON,--

Desiretheguitar-playertocometometo-day.Amenda(insteadofan

_amende_[fine],whichhesometimesdeservesfornotobservinghisrestsproperly)mustpersuadethispopularguitaristtovisitme,andifpossibletocomeatfiveo'clockthisevening;ifnotthen,atfiveorsixo'clockto-morrowmorning;buthemustnotwakenmeifIchancetobestillasleep. _Adieu,monamiàbonmarché._Perhapswemaymeetatthe"Swan"?

[Footnote1:AsitappearsfromthefollowinglettersthatAmendawasagainathomein1800,thedateofthisnoteisthusascertained.ItisundoubtedlyaddressedtoBaronZmeskallvonDomanowecz,RoyalCourtSecretary,agoodvioloncello-player,andoneofBeethoven'searliestfriendsinVienna.The"guitarist"wasprobablythecelebratedGiuliani,wholivedinVienna.]

11.

ThemusicalCountisfromthisdayforth_cashiered_withinfamy.Thefirstviolin[Schuppanzigh]ruthlesslytransportedto_Siberia_.TheBaron[seeNo.10]forawholemonth_strictlyinterdictedfromaskingquestions_;nolongertobesohasty,andtodevotehimselfexclusivelytohis_ipsemiserum_.[1]

B.

[Footnote1:Writteningiganticcharactersinpencilonalargesheetofpaper.The"musicalCount"isprobablyCountMoritzLichnowsky,brotherof

PrinceCarlLichnowsky,inwhosehousewereheldthosemusicalperformancesinwhichBeethoven'sworkswerefirstproduced.Evenatthattimehebehavedinaverydictatorialmannertothosegentlemenwhenhiscompositionswerebadlyexecuted.ThencethenamegivenhimbyHaydnof"TheGreatMogul."]

12.

TOPASTORAMENDA,--COURLAND.



DoesAmendathinkthatIcaneverforgethim,becauseIdonotwrite?infact,neverhavewrittentohim?--asifthememoryofourfriendscouldonlythusbepreserved!The_bestmanIeverknew_hasathousandtimesrecurredtomythoughts!Twopersonsaloneoncepossessedmywholelove,oneofwhomstilllives,andyouarenowthethird.Howcanmyremembranceofyoueverfade?Youwillshortlyreceivealongletteraboutmypresentcircumstancesandallthatcaninterestyou.Farewell,beloved,good,andnoblefriend!Evercontinueyourloveandfriendshiptowardsme,justasIshalleverbeyourfaithful

BEETHOVEN.

13.

TOPASTORAMENDA.

1800.

MYDEAR,MYGOODAMENDA,MYWARM-HEARTEDFRIEND,--

Ireceivedandreadyourlastletterwithdeepemotion,andwithmingledpainandpleasure.TowhatcanIcompareyourfidelityanddevotiontome?

Ah!itisindeeddelightfulthatyoustillcontinuetolovemesowell.Iknowhowtoprizeyou,andtodistinguishyoufromallothers;youarenotlikemyViennafriends.No!youareoneofthosewhomthesoilofmyfatherlandiswonttobringforth;howoftenIwishthatyouwerewithme,foryourBeethovenisveryunhappy.Youmustknowthatoneofmymostpreciousfaculties,thatofhearing,isbecomeverydefective;evenwhileyouwerestillwithmeIfeltindicationsofthis,thoughIsaidnothing;butitisnowmuchworse.WhetherIshalleverbecuredremainsyettobeseen;itissupposedtoproceedfromthestateofmydigestiveorgans,butIamalmostentirelyrecoveredinthatrespect.Ihopeindeedthatmyhearingmayimprove,butIscarcelythinkso,forattacksofthiskindarethemostincurableofall.Howsadmylifemustnowbe!--forcedtoshunallthatismostdearandprecioustome,andtolivewithsuchmiserable

egotistsas----,&c.IcanwithtruthsaythatofallmyfriendsLichnowsky[PrinceCarl]isthemostgenuine.Helastyearsettled600florinsonme,which,togetherwiththegoodsaleofmyworks,enablesmetolivefreefromcareastomymaintenance.AllthatInowwriteIcandisposeoffivetimesover,andbewellpaidintothebargain.Ihavebeenwritingagooddeallatterly,andasIhearthatyouhaveorderedsomepianosfrom----,Iwillsendyousomeofmycompositionsinthepacking-caseofoneoftheseinstruments,bywhichmeanstheywillnotcostyousomuch.

Tomygreatcomfort,apersonhasreturnedherewithwhomIcanenjoythepleasuresofsocietyanddisinterestedfriendship,--oneofthefriendsofmyyouth[StephanvonBreuning].Ihaveoftenspokentohimofyou,and

toldhimthatsinceIleftmyfatherland,youareoneofthosetowhommyheartspeciallyclings.Z.[Zmeskall?]doesnotseemquitetopleasehim;heis,andalwayswillbe,tooweakfortruefriendship,andIlookonhimand----asmereinstrumentsonwhichIplayasIplease,butnevercantheybearnobletestimonytomyinnerandoutwardenergies,orfeeltruesympathywithme;Ivaluethemonlyinsofarastheirservicesdeserve.Oh!howhappyshouldInowbe,hadImyfullsenseofhearing;Iwouldthenhastentoyou;whereas,asitis,Imustwithdrawfromeverything.Mybestyearswillthuspassaway,withouteffectingwhatmytalentsandpowersmighthaveenabledmetoperform.Howmelancholyistheresignationin



whichImusttakerefuge!Ihaddeterminedtorisesuperiortoallthis,buthowisitpossible?Ifinthecourseofsixmonthsmymaladybepronouncedincurablethen,Amenda!Ishallappealtoyoutoleaveallelseandcometome,whenIintendtotravel(myafflictionislessdistressingwhenplayingandcomposing,andmostsoinintercoursewithothers),andyoumustbemycompanion.Ihaveaconvictionthatgoodfortunewillnotforsakeme,fortowhatmayInotatpresentaspire?SinceyouwerehereIhavewritteneverythingexceptoperasandchurchmusic.Youwillnot,Iknow,refusemypetition;youwillhelpyourfriendtobearhisburdenandhiscalamity.Ihavealsoverymuchperfectedmypianoforteplaying,andIhopethatajourneyofthiskindmaypossiblycontributetoyourownsuccessinlife,andyouwouldthenceforthalwaysremainwithme.Idulyreceivedallyourletters,andthoughIdidnotreplytothem,youwereconstantlypresentwithme,andmyheartbeatsastenderlyaseverforyou.Ibegyouwillkeepthefactofmydeafnessaprofoundsecret,andnotconfideittoanyhumanbeing.Writetomefrequently;yourletters,howevershort,consoleandcheerme;soIshallsoonhopetohearfromyou.

Donotgiveyourquartettoanyone[inF,Op.18,No.1],asIhavealtereditverymuch,havingonlynowsucceededinwritingquartetsproperly;thisyouwillatonceperceivewhenyoureceiveit.Now,farewell,mydearkindfriend!IfbyanychanceIcanserveyouhere,Ineednotsaythatyouhaveonlytocommandme.

YourfaithfulandtrulyattachedL.V.BEETHOVEN.

14.

TOWEGELER.

Vienna,June29,1800.

MYDEARANDVALUEDWEGELER,--

HowmuchIthankyouforyourremembranceofme,littleasIdeserveit,orhavesoughttodeserveit;andyetyouaresokindthatyouallownothing,notevenmyunpardonableneglect,todiscourageyou,alwaysremainingthesametrue,good,andfaithfulfriend.ThatIcaneverforgetyouoryours,oncesodearandprecioustome,donotforamomentbelieve.TherearetimeswhenIfindmyselflongingtoseeyouagain,andwishingthatIcouldgotostaywithyou.Myfather-land,thatlovelyregionwhereIfirstsawthelight,isstillasdistinctandbeauteousinmyeyesaswhenIquittedyou;inshort,IshallesteemthetimewhenIoncemoreseeyou,andagaingreetFatherRhine,asoneofthehappiestperiodsofmylife.WhenthismaybeIcannotyettell;butatalleventsImaysaythatyoushallnotseemeagaintillIhavebecomeeminent,notonlyasanartist,butbetterandmoreperfectasaman;andiftheconditionofourfather-landbethen

moreprosperous,myartshallbeentirelydevotedtothebenefitofthepoor.Oh,blissfulmoment!--howhappydoIesteemmyselfthatIcanexpediteitandbringittopass!

Youdesiretoknowsomethingofmyposition;well!itisbynomeansbad.Howeverincredibleitmayappear,ImusttellyouthatLichnowskyhasbeen,andstillis,mywarmestfriend(slightdissensionsoccurredoccasionallybetweenus,andyettheyonlyservedtostrengthenourfriendship).Hesettledonmelastyearthesumof600florins,forwhichIamtodrawonhimtillIcanprocuresomesuitablesituation.Mycompositionsarevery



profitable,andImayreallysaythatIhavealmostmorecommissionsthanitispossibleformetoexecute.Icanhavesixorsevenpublishersormoreforeverypiece,ifIchoose;theynolongerbargainwithme--Idemand,andtheypay--soyouseethisisaverygoodthing.Forinstance,Ihaveafriendindistress,andmypursedoesnotadmitofmyassistinghimatonce;butIhaveonlytositdownandwrite,andinashorttimeheisrelieved.Iamalsobecomemoreeconomicalthanformerly.IfIfinallysettlehere,Idon'tdoubtIshallbeabletosecureaparticulardayeveryyearforaconcert,ofwhichIhavealreadygivenseveral.Thatmaliciousdemon,however,badhealth,hasbeenastumbling-blockinmypath;myhearingduringthelastthreeyearshasbecomegraduallyworse.Thechiefcauseofthisinfirmityproceedsfromthestateofmydigestiveorgans,which,asyouknow,wereformerlybadenough,buthavelatterlybecomemuchworse,andbeingconstantlyafflictedwithdiarrhoea,hasbroughtonextremeweakness.Frank[DirectoroftheGeneralHospital]strovetorestorethetoneofmydigestionbytonics,andmyhearingbyoilofalmonds;butalas!thesedidmenogoodwhatever;myhearingbecameworse,andmydigestioncontinuedinitsformerplight.Thiswentontilltheautumnoflastyear,whenIwasoftenreducedtoutterdespair.Thensomemedical_asinus_recommendedmecoldbaths,butamorejudiciousdoctorthetepidonesoftheDanube,whichdidwondersforme;mydigestionimproved,butmyhearingremainedthesame,orinfactrathergotworse.Ididindeedpassamiserablewinter;Isufferedfrommostdreadfulspasms,andsankbackintomyformercondition.Thusitwentontillaboutamonthago,when

IconsultedVering[anarmysurgeon],underthebeliefthatmymaladiesrequiredsurgicaladvice;besides,Ihadeveryconfidenceinhim.Hesucceededinalmostentirelycheckingtheviolentdiarrhoea,andorderedmethetepidbathsoftheDanube,intowhichIpoursomestrengtheningmixture.Hegavemenomedicine,exceptsomedigestivepillsfourdaysago,andalotionformyears.Icertainlydofeelbetterandstronger,butmyearsarebuzzingandringingperpetually,dayandnight.Icanwithtruthsaythatmylifeisverywretched;fornearlytwoyearspastIhaveavoidedallsociety,becauseIfinditimpossibletosaytopeople,_Iamdeaf!_Inanyotherprofessionthismightbemoretolerable,butinminesuchaconditionistrulyfrightful.Besides,whatwouldmyenemiessaytothis?--andtheyarenotfewinnumber.

Togiveyousomeideaofmyextraordinarydeafness,ImusttellyouthatinthetheatreIamobligedtoleancloseupagainsttheorchestrainordertounderstandtheactors,andwhenalittlewayoffIhearnoneofthehighnotesofinstrumentsorsingers.Itismostastonishingthatinconversationsomepeopleneverseemtoobservethis;beingsubjecttofitsofabsence,theyattributeittothatcause.Ioftencanscarcelyhearapersonifspeakinglow;Icandistinguishthetones,butnotthewords,andyetIfeelitintolerableifanyoneshoutstome.Heavenaloneknowshowitistoend!VeringdeclaresthatIshallcertainlyimprove,evenifIbenotentirelyrestored.HowoftenhaveIcursedmyexistence!Plutarchledmetoresignation.IshallstriveifpossibletosetFateatdefiance,althoughtheremustbemomentsinmylifewhenIcannotfailtobethemostunhappyofGod'screatures.Ientreatyoutosaynothingofmyaffliction

toanyone,noteventoLorchen[seeNos.4and5].Iconfidethesecrettoyoualone,andentreatyousomedaytocorrespondwithVeringonthesubject.IfIcontinueinthesamestate,Ishallcometoyouintheensuingspring,whenyoumustengageahouseformesomewhereinthecountry,amidbeautifulscenery,andIshallthenbecomearusticforayear,whichmayperhapseffectachange.Resignation!--whatamiserablerefuge!andyetitismysoleremainingone.Youwillforgivemythusappealingtoyourkindlysympathiesatatimewhenyourownpositionissadenough.StephanBreuningishere,andwearetogetheralmosteveryday;itdoesmesomuchgoodtoreviveoldfeelings!Hehasreallybecomeacapital



goodfellow,notdevoidoftalent,andhisheart,likethatofusall,prettymuchintherightplace.[SeeNo.13.]

Ihaveverycharmingroomsatpresent,adjoiningtheBastei[theramparts],andpeculiarlyvaluabletomeonaccountofmyhealth[atBaronPasqualati's].IdoreallythinkIshallbeabletoarrangethatBreuningshallcometome.YoushallhaveyourAntiochus[apicture],andplentyofmymusicbesides--if,indeed,itwillnotcostyoutoomuch.Yourloveofartdoeshonestlyrejoiceme.Onlysayhowitistobedone,andIwillsendyouallmyworks,whichnowamounttoaconsiderablenumber,andaredailyincreasing.Ibegyouwillletmehavemygrandfather'sportraitassoonaspossiblebythepost,inreturnforwhichIsendyouthatofhisgrandson,yourlovingandattachedBeethoven.IthasbeenbroughtoutherebyArtaria,who,aswellasmanyotherpublishers,hasoftenurgedthisonme.IintendsoontowritetoStoffeln[ChristophvonBreuning],andplainlyadmonishhimabouthissurlyhumor.Imeantosoundinhisearsouroldfriendship,andtoinsistonhispromisingmenottoannoyyoufurtherinyoursadcircumstances.IwillalsowritetotheamiableLorchen.NeverhaveIforgottenoneofyou,mykindfriends,thoughyoudidnothearfromme;butyouknowwellthatwritingneverwasmy_forte_,evenmybestfriendshavingreceivednolettersfrommeforyears.Ilivewhollyinmymusic,andscarcelyisoneworkfinishedwhenanotherisbegun;indeed,Iamnowoftenatworkonthreeorfourthingsatthesametime.Dowritetomefrequently,andIwillstrivetofindtimetowritetoyoualso.Givemy

remembrancestoall,especiallytothekindFrauHofräthin[vonBreuning],andsaytoherthatIamstillsubjecttoanoccasional_raptus_.AsforK----,Iamnotatallsurprisedatthechangeinher:Fortunerollslikeaball,anddoesnotalwaysstopbeforethebestandnoblest.AstoRies[CourtmusicianinBonn],towhompraycordiallyrememberme,Imustsayoneword.Iwillwritetoyoumoreparticularlyabouthisson[Ferdinand],althoughIbelievethathewouldbemorelikelytosucceedinParisthaninVienna,whichisalreadyoverstocked,andwhereeventhoseofthehighestmeritfinditahardmattertomaintainthemselves.Bynextautumnorwinter,Ishallbeabletoseewhatcanbedoneforhim,becausethenalltheworldreturnstotown.Farewell,mykind,faithfulWegeler!Restassuredoftheloveandfriendshipofyour

BEETHOVEN.

15.

TOCOUNTESSGIULIETTAGUICCIARDI.[1]

Morning,July6,1800.

MYANGEL!MYALL!MYSECONDSELF!

Onlyafewwordsto-day,writtenwithapencil(yourown).Myresidencecannotbesettledtillto-morrow.Whatatiresomelossoftime!Whythis

deepgriefwhennecessitycompels?--canourloveexistwithoutsacrifices,andbyrefrainingfromdesiringallthings?Canyoualterthefactthatyouarenotwhollymine,norIwhollyyours?Ah!contemplatethebeautiesofNature,andreconcileyourspirittotheinevitable.Lovedemandsall,andhasarighttodoso,andthusitis_Ifeeltowardsyou_and_youtowardsme_;butyoudonotsufficientlyrememberthatImustliveboth_foryou_ and_formyself_.Werewewhollyunited,youwouldfeelthissorrowaslittleasIshould.Myjourneywasterrible.Ididnotarriveheretillfouro'clockyesterdaymorning,asnohorsesweretobehad.Thedriverschoseanotherroute;butwhatadreadfuloneitwas!AtthelaststageI



waswarnednottotravelthroughthenight,andtobewareofacertainwood,butthisonlyincitedmetogoforward,andIwaswrong.Thecarriagebrokedown,owingtotheexecrableroads,meredeeproughcountrylanes,andhaditnotbeenforthepostilionsImusthavebeenleftbythewayside.Esterhazy,travellingtheusualroad,hadthesamefatewitheighthorses,whereasIhadonlyfour.StillIfeltacertaindegreeofpleasure,whichIinvariablydowhenIhavehappilysurmountedanydifficulty.ButImustnowpassfromtheoutertotheinnerman.Weshall,Itrust,soonmeetagain;to-dayIcannotimparttoyouallthereflectionsIhavemade,duringthelastfewdays,onmylife;wereourheartscloselyunitedforever,noneofthesewouldoccurtome.MyheartisoverflowingwithallIhavetosaytoyou.Ah!therearemomentswhenIfindthatspeechisactuallynothing.Takecourage!Continuetobeevermytrueandonlylove,myall!asIamyours.Thegodsmustordainwhatisfurthertobeandshallbe!

Yourfaithful

LUDWIG.

MondayEvening,July6.

Yougrieve!dearestofallbeings!Ihavejustheardthatthelettersmustbesentoffveryearly.MondaysandThursdaysaretheonlydayswhenthe

postgoestoK.fromhere.Yougrieve!Ah!whereIam,thereyouareeverwithme;howearnestlyshallIstrivetopassmylifewithyou,andwhatalifewillitbe!!!Whereasnow!!withoutyou!!andpersecutedbythekindnessofothers,whichIneitherdeservenortrytodeserve!Theservilityofmantowardshisfellow-manpainsme,andwhenIregardmyselfasacomponentpartoftheuniverse,whatamI,whatishewhoiscalledthegreatest?--andyethereinaredisplayedthegodlikefeelingsofhumanity!--IweepinthinkingthatyouwillreceivenointelligencefrommetillprobablySaturday.Howeverdearlyyoumayloveme,Iloveyoumorefondlystill.Neverconcealyourfeelingsfromme.Good-night!Asapatientatthesebaths,Imustnowgotorest[afewwordsarehereeffacedbyBeethovenhimself].Oh,heavens!sonear,andyetsofar!Isnotourloveatrulycelestialmansion,butfirmasthevaultofheavenitself?

July7.

GOOD-MORNING!

EvenbeforeIrise,mythoughtsthrongtoyou,myimmortalbeloved!--sometimesfullofjoy,andyetagainsad,waitingtoseewhetherFatewillhearus.Imustliveeitherwhollywithyou,ornotatall.IndeedIhaveresolvedtowanderfarfromyou[seeNo.13]tillthemomentarriveswhenIcanflyintoyourarms,andfeelthattheyaremyhome,andsendforthmysoulinunisonwithyoursintotherealmofspirits.Alas!itmustbeso!Youwilltakecourage,foryouknowmyfidelity.Nevercananotherpossessmyheart--never,never!Oh,heavens!WhymustIflyfrom

herIsofondlylove?andyetmyexistenceinW.wasasmiserableashere.Yourlovemademethemosthappyandyetthemostunhappyofmen.Atmyage,liferequiresauniformequality;canthisbefoundinourmutualrelations?Myangel!Ihavethismomentheardthatthepostgoeseveryday,soImustconclude,thatyoumaygetthisletterthesooner.Becalm!forwecanonlyattainourobjectoflivingtogetherbythecalmcontemplationofourexistence.Continuetoloveme.Yesterday,to-day,whatlongingsforyou,whattearsforyou!foryou!foryou!mylife!myall!Farewell!Oh!lovemeforever,andneverdoubtthefaithfulheartofyourlover,L.



Everthine.Evermine.Evereachother's.

[Footnote1:Theseletterstohis"immortalbeloved,"towhomtheCsharpminorSonataisdedicated,appearhereforthefirsttimeintheirintegrity,inaccordancewiththeoriginalswritteninpencilonfinenotepaper,andgiveninSchindler's_Beethoven'sNachlass_.Therehasbeenmuchdiscussionaboutthedate.Itiscertified,inthefirstplace,inthechurchregisterwhichAlex.ThayersawinVienna,thatGiuliettawasmarriedtoCountGallenbergin1801;andinthenextplace,the6thofJulyfallsonaMondayin1800.Theotherreasonswhichinducemedecidedlytofixthislatteryearasthedateoftheletter,Imeantogiveatfulllengthinthesecondvolumeof_Beethoven'sBiography_.ImayalsostatethatBeethovenwasatbathsinHungaryatthattime.WhethertheK----inthesecondlettermeansKomorn,Icannottell.]

16.

TOMATTHISSON.

Vienna,August4,1800.

MOSTESTEEMEDFRIEND,--Youwillreceivewiththisoneofmycompositionspublishedsomeyearssince,andyet,tomyshame,youprobablyhaveneverheardofit.Icannotattempttoexcusemyself,ortoexplainwhyIdedicatedaworktoyouwhichcamedirectfrommyheart,butneveracquaintedyouwithitsexistence,unlessindeedinthisway,thatatfirstIdidnotknowwhereyoulived,andpartlyalsofromdiffidence,whichledmetothinkImighthavebeenprematureindedicatingaworktoyoubeforeascertainingthatyouapprovedofit.Indeed,evennowIsendyou"Adelaide"withafeelingoftimidity.Youknowyourselfwhatchangesthelapseofsomeyearsbringsforthinanartistwhocontinuestomakeprogress;thegreatertheadvanceswemakeinart,thelessarewesatisfiedwithourworksofanearlierdate.Mymost

ardentwishwillbefulfilledifyouarenotdissatisfiedwiththemannerinwhichIhavesetyourheavenly"Adelaide"tomusic,andareincitedbyitsoontocomposeasimilarpoem;andifyoudonotconsidermyrequesttooindiscreet,Iwouldaskyoutosendittomeforthwith,thatImayexertallmyenergiestoapproachyourlovelypoetryinmerit.Prayregardthededicationasatokenofthepleasurewhichyour"Adelaide"conferredonme,aswellasoftheappreciationandintensedelightyourpoetryalwayshasinspired,and_alwayswillinspireinme_.

Whenplaying"Adelaide,"sometimesrecall

Yoursincereadmirer,

BEETHOVEN.

17.

TOFRAUFRANK,--VIENNA

October,1800.

DEARLADY,--



Atthesecondannouncementofourconcert,youmustremindyourhusbandthatthepublicshouldbemadeacquaintedwiththenamesofthosewhosetalentsaretocontributetothisconcert.Suchisthecustomhere;andindeed,wereitnotso,whatistheretoattractalargeraudience?whichisafterallourchiefobject.Punto[thecelebratedhorn-player,forwhomBeethovenwroteSonata17]isnotalittleindignantabouttheomission,andImustsayhehasreasontobeso;butevenbeforeseeinghimitwasmyintentiontohaveremindedyouofthis,forIcanonlyexplainthemistakebygreathasteorgreatforgetfulness.Besogood,then,dearlady,astoattendtomyhint;otherwiseyouwillcertainlyexposeyourselfto_manyannoyances_.Beingatlastconvincedinmyownmind,andbyothers,thatIshallnotbequitesuperfluousinthisconcert,IknowthatnotonlyI,butalsoPunto,Simoni[atenorist],andGalvaniwilldemandthatthepublicshouldbeapprisedofourzealforthischaritableobject;otherwisewemustallconcludethatwearenotwanted.

Yours,

BEETHOVEN.

18.

TOHERRVONWEGELER.Vienna,Nov.16,1800.

MYDEARWEGELER,--

Ithankyouforthisfreshproofofyourinterestinme,especiallyasIsolittledeserveit.YouwishtoknowhowIam,andwhatremediesIuse.UnwillingasIalwaysfeeltodiscussthissubject,stillIfeellessreluctanttodosowithyouthanwithanyotherperson.ForsomemonthspastVeringhasorderedmetoapplyblistersonbotharms,ofaparticularkindofbark,withwhichyouareprobablyacquainted,--adisagreeableremedy,independentofthepain,asitdeprivesmeofthefreeuseofmy

armsforacoupleofdaysatatime,tilltheblistershavedrawnsufficiently.Theringingandbuzzinginmyearshavecertainlyratherdecreased,particularlyintheleftear,inwhichthemaladyfirstcommenced,butmyhearingisnotatallimproved;infactIfearthatitisbecomeratherworse.Myhealthisbetter,andafterusingthetepidbathsforatime,Ifeelprettywellforeightortendays.Iseldomtaketonics,butIhavebegunapplicationsofherbs,accordingtoyouradvice.Veringwillnothearofplungebaths,butIammuchdissatisfiedwithhim;heisneithersoattentivenorsoindulgentasheoughttobetosuchamalady;ifIdidnotgotohim,whichisnoeasymatter,Ishouldneverseehimatall.WhatisyouropinionofSchmidt[anarmysurgeon]?Iamunwillingtomakeanychange,butitseemstomethatVeringistoomuchofapractitionertoacquirenewideasbyreading.OnthispointSchmidtappears

tobeaverydifferentman,andwouldprobablybelessnegligentwithregardtomycase.Ihearwondersofgalvanism;whatdoyousaytoit?Aphysiciantoldmethatheknewadeafanddumbchildwhosehearingwasrestoredbyit(inBerlin),andlikewiseamanwhohadbeendeafforsevenyears,andrecoveredhishearing.IamtoldthatyourfriendSchmidtisatthismomentmakingexperimentsonthesubject.

Iamnowleadingasomewhatmoreagreeablelife,asoflateIhavebeenassociatingmorewithotherpeople.Youcouldscarcelybelievewhatasadanddrearylifeminehasbeenforthelasttwoyears;mydefectivehearing



everywherepursuingmelikeaspectre,makingmeflyfromeveryone,andappearamisanthrope;andyetnooneisinrealitylessso!Thischangehasbeenwroughtbyalovelyfascinatinggirl[undoubtedlyGiulietta],wholovesmeandwhomIlove.Ihaveoncemorehadsomeblissfulmomentsduringthelasttwoyears,anditisthefirsttimeIeverfeltthatmarriagecouldmakemehappy.Unluckily,sheisnotinmyrankoflife,andindeedatthismomentIcanmarrynoone;Imustfirstbestirmyselfactivelyintheworld.Haditnotbeenformydeafness,Iwouldhavetravelledhalfroundtheglobeerenow,andthisImuststilldo.Formethereisnopleasuresogreatastopromoteandtopursuemyart.

DonotsupposethatIcouldbehappywithyou.Whatindeedcouldmakemehappier?Yourverysolicitudewoulddistressme;Ishouldreadyourcompassioneverymomentinyourcountenance,whichwouldmakemeonlystillmoreunhappy.Whatweremythoughtsamidtheglorioussceneryofmyfather-land?Thehopealoneofahappierfuture,whichwouldhavebeenminebutforthisaffliction!Oh!IcouldspantheworldwereIonlyfreefromthis!Ifeelthatmyyouthisonlynowcommencing.HaveInotalwaysbeenaninfirmcreature?Forsometimepastmybodilystrengthhasbeenincreasing,anditisthesamewithmymentalpowers.Ifeel,thoughIcannotdescribeit,thatIdailyapproachtheobjectIhaveinview,inwhichalonecanyourBeethovenlive.Norestforhim!--Iknowofnonebutinsleep,andIdogrudgebeingobligedtosacrificemoretimetoitthanformerly.[1]WereIonlyhalfcuredofmymalady,thenIwouldcometoyou,

and,asamoreperfectandmatureman,renewouroldfriendship.YoushouldthenseemeashappyasIameverdestinedtobeherebelow--notunhappy.No!thatIcouldnotendure;Iwillboldlymeetmyfate,nevershallitsucceedincrushingme.Oh!itissoglorioustoliveone'slifeathousandtimesover!IfeelthatIamnolongermadeforaquietexistence.Youwillwritetomeassoonaspossible?PraytrytoprevailonSteffen[vonBreuning]toseekanappointmentfromtheTeutonicOrdersomewhere.Lifehereistooharassingforhishealth;besides,heissoisolatedthatIdonotseehowheisevertogeton.Youknowthekindofexistencehere.Idonottakeituponmyselftosaythatsocietywoulddispelhislassitude,buthecannotbepersuadedtogoanywhere.Ashorttimesince,Ihadsomemusicinmyhouse,butourfriendSteffenstayedaway.Do

recommendhimtobemorecalmandself-possessed,whichIhaveinvaintriedtoeffect;otherwisehecanneitherenjoyhealthnorhappiness.Tellmeinyournextletterwhetheryoucareaboutmysendingyoualargeselectionofmusic;youcanindeeddisposeofwhatyoudonotwant,andthusrepaytheexpenseofthecarriage,andhavemyportraitintothebargain.SayallthatiskindandamiablefrommetoLorchen,andalsotomammaandChristoph.Youstillhavesomeregardforme?Alwaysrelyontheloveaswellasthefriendshipofyour

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:"Toomuchsleepishurtful"ismarkedbyathickscoreintheOdyssey(45,393)byBeethoven'shand.SeeSchindler's_Beethoven's

Nachlass_.]

19.

TOKAPELLMEISTERHOFMEISTER,--LEIPZIG.[1]

Vienna,Dec.15,1800.

MYDEARBROTHERINART,--



Ihaveoftenintendedtoansweryourproposals,butamfrightfullylazyaboutallcorrespondence;soitisusuallyagoodwhilebeforeIcanmakeupmymindtowritedrylettersinsteadofmusic.Ihave,however,atlastforcedmyselftoansweryourapplication._Proprimo_,ImusttellyouhowmuchIregretthatyou,mymuch-lovedbrotherinthescienceofmusic,didnotgivemesomehint,sothatImighthaveofferedyoumyquartets,aswellasmanyotherthingsthatIhavenowdisposedof.Butifyouareasconscientious,mydearbrother,asmanyotherpublishers,whogrindtodeathuspoorcomposers,youwillknowprettywellhowtoderiveampleprofitwhentheworksappear.Inowbrieflystatewhatyoucanhavefromme.1st.ASeptet,_perilviolino,viola,violoncello,contra-basso,clarinetto,corno,fagotto;--tuttiobbligati_(Icanwritenothingthatisnot_obbligato_,havingcomeintotheworldwithan_obbligato_ accompaniment!)ThisSeptetpleasesverymuch.Formoregeneraluseitmightbearrangedforonemore_violino,viola_,and_violoncello_,insteadofthethreewind-instruments,_fagotto,clarinetto_,and_corno_.[2]2d.AGrandSymphonywithfullorchestra[the1st].3rd.ApianoforteConcerto[Op.19],whichIbynomeansasserttobeoneofmybest,anymorethantheoneMolloistopublishhere[Op.15],(thisisforthebenefitoftheLeipzigcritics!)because_Ireservethebestformyself_tillIsetoffonmytravels;stilltheworkwillnotdisgraceyoutopublish.4th.AGrandSoloSonata[Op.22].TheseareallIcanpartwithatthismoment;alittlelateryoucanhaveaquintetforstringedinstruments,andprobably

somequartetsalso,andotherpiecesthatIhavenotatpresentbesideme.Inyouransweryoucanyourselffixtheprices;andasyouareneitheran _Italian_nora_Jew_,noramIeither,weshallnodoubtquicklyagree.Farewell,andrestassured,

Mydearbrotherinart,oftheesteemofyour

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:TheletterstoHofmeister,formerlyofVienna,whoconductedthecorrespondencewithBeethoveninthenameofthefirmof"Hofmeister&Kühnel,BureaudeMusique,"aregivenhereastheyfirstappearedin1837inthe_NeueZeitschriftfürMusik_.Onapplyingtothepresent

representativeofthatfirm,Iwastoldthatthosewhonowpossesstheselettersdeclinegivingthemoutoftheirownhands,andthatnocopyistcanbefoundabletodecipherortranscribethemcorrectly.]

[Footnote2:Thislastphraseisnotinthecopybeforeme,butinMarx's _Biography_,whoappearstohaveseentheoriginal.]

20.

TOKAPELLMEISTERHOFMEISTER.

Vienna,Jan.15(orthereabouts),1801.

Ireadyourletter,dearbrotherandfriend,withmuchpleasure,andIthankyouforyourgoodopinionofmeandofmyworks,andhopeImaycontinuetodeserveit.IalsobegyoutopresentallduethankstoHerrK.[Kühnel]forhispolitenessandfriendshiptowardsme.I,onmypart,rejoiceinyourundertakings,andamgladthatwhenworksofartdoturnoutprofitable,theyfalltotheshareoftrueartists,ratherthantothatofmeretradesmen.

YourintentiontopublishSebastianBach'sworksreallygladdensmyheart,



whichbeatswithdevotionfortheloftyandgrandproductionsofthisourfatherofthescienceofharmony,andItrustIshallsoonseethemappear.Ihopewhengoldenpeaceisproclaimed,andyoursubscriptionlistopened,toprocureyoumanysubscribershere.[1]

Withregardtoourowntransactions,asyouwishtoknowmyproposals,theyareasfollows.Iofferyouatpresentthefollowingworks:--TheSeptet(whichIalreadywrotetoyouabout),20ducats;Symphony,20ducats;Concerto,10ducats;GrandSoloSonata,_allegro,adagio,minuetto,rondo_,20ducats.ThisSonata[Op.22]iswelluptothemark,mydearbrother!

Nowforexplanations.YoumayperhapsbesurprisedthatImakenodifferenceofpricebetweenthesonata,septet,andsymphony.IdosobecauseIfindthataseptetorasymphonyhasnotsogreatasaleasasonata,thoughasymphonyoughtunquestionablytobeofthemostvalue.(N.B.Theseptetconsistsofashortintroductory_adagio_,an_allegro,adagio,minuetto,andante_,withvariations,_minuetto_,andanothershort _adagio_precedinga_presto_.)Ionlyasktenducatsfortheconcerto,for,asIalreadywrotetoyou,Idonotconsideritoneofmybest.Icannotthinkthat,takenasawhole,youwillconsiderthesepricesexorbitant;atleast,Ihaveendeavoredtomakethemasmoderateaspossibleforyou.

Withregardtothebanker'sdraft,asyougivememychoice,Ibegyouwill

makeitpayablebyGermüllerorSchüller.Theentiresumforthefourworkswillamountto70ducats;IunderstandnocurrencybutViennaducats,sohowmanydollarsingoldtheymakeinyourmoneyisnoaffairofmine,forreallyIamaverybadmanofbusinessandaccountant.Nowthis _troublesome_businessisconcluded;--Icallitso,heartilywishingthatitcouldbeotherwiseherebelow!Thereoughttobeonlyonegrand_dépôt_ ofartintheworld,towhichtheartistmightrepairwithhisworks,andonpresentingthemreceivewhatherequired;butasitnowis,onemustbehalfatradesmanbesides--andhowisthistobeendured?Goodheavens!Imaywellcallit_troublesome_!

AsfortheLeipzigoxen,[2]letthemtalk!--theycertainlywillmakenomanimmortalbytheirprating,andaslittlecantheydepriveofimmortality

thosewhomApollodestinestoattainit.

NowmayHeavenpreserveyouandyourcolleagues!Ihavebeenunwellforsometime;soitisratherdifficultformeatpresenttowriteevenmusic,muchmoreletters.Itrustweshallhavefrequentopportunitiestoassureeachotherhowtrulyyouaremyfriend,andIyours.

Ihopeforaspeedyanswer.Adieu!

L.V.BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:IhaveatthismomentinmyhandsthiseditionofBach,boundinonethickvolume,togetherwiththefirstpartofNägeli'seditionof

the_WohltemperirtesClavier_,alsothreebooksofexercises(D,G,andCminor),the_ToccatainDMinor_,and_TwiceFifteenInventions_.]

[Footnote2:ItisthusthatSchindlersuppliesthegap.Itisprobablyanallusiontothe_AllgemeineMusikalischeZeitung_,foundedaboutthreeyearspreviously.]

21.



TOHERRHOFMEISTER.

Vienna,April22,1801.

Youhaveindeedtoogoodcausetocomplainnotalittleofme.MyexcuseisthatIhavebeenill,andinadditionhadsomuchtodo,thatIcouldscarcelyeventhinkofwhatIwastosendyou.Moreover,theonlythinginmethatresemblesageniusis,thatmypapersareneverinverygoodorder,andyetnoonebutmyselfcansucceedinarrangingthem.Forinstance,inthescoreoftheconcerto,thepianopart,accordingtomyusualcustom,wasnotyetwrittendown;so,owingtomyhurry,youwillreceiveitinmyownveryillegiblewriting.Inorderthattheworksmayfollowasnearlyaspossibleintheirproperorder,Ihavemarkedthenumberstobeplacedoneach,asfollows:--

SoloSonata,Op.22.Symphony,Op.21.Septet,Op.20.Concerto,Op.19.

Iwillsendyoutheirvarioustitlesshortly.

PutmedownasasubscribertoSebastianBach'sworks[seeLetter20],andalsoPrinceLichnowsky.ThearrangementofMozart'sSonatasasquartets

willdoyoumuchcredit,andnodoubtbeprofitablealso.IwishIcouldcontributemoretothepromotionofsuchanundertaking,butIamanirregularman,andtooapt,evenwiththebestintentions,toforgeteverything;Ihave,however,mentionedthemattertovariouspeople,andIeverywherefindthemwelldisposedtowardsit.Itwouldbeagoodthingifyouwouldarrangetheseptetyouareabouttopublishasaquintet,withaflutepart,forinstance;thiswouldbeanadvantagetoamateursoftheflute,whohavealreadyimportunedmeonthesubject,andwhowouldswarmrounditlikeinsectsandbanquetonit.

Nowtotellyousomethingofmyself.Ihavewrittenaballet["Prometheus"],inwhichtheballet-masterhasnotdonehispartsowellasmightbe.TheF----vonL----hasalsobestowedonusaproductionwhichby

nomeanscorrespondswiththeideasofhisgeniusconveyedbythenewspaperreports.F----seemstohavetakenHerrM----(WenzelMüller?)ashisidealattheKusperle,yetwithoutevenrisingtohislevel.Sucharethefineprospectsbeforeuspoorpeoplewhostrivetostruggleupwards!Mydearfriend,praylosenotimeinbringingtheworkbeforethenoticeofthepublic,andwritetomesoon,thatImayknowwhetherbymydelayIhaveentirelyforfeitedyourconfidenceforthefuture.Sayallthatiscivilandkindtoyourpartner,Kühnel.Everythingshallhenceforthbesentfinished,andinquicksuccession.Sonowfarewell,andcontinueyourregardsfor

Yourfriendandbrother,

BEETHOVEN.

22.

TOHERRHOFMEISTER.

Vienna,June,1801.

Iamrathersurprisedatthecommunicationyouhavedesiredyourbusiness



agentheretomaketome;Imaywellfeeloffendedatyourbelievingmecapableofsomeanatrick.ItwouldhavebeenaverydifferentthinghadIsoldmyworkstorapaciousshopkeepers,andthensecretlymadeanothergoodspeculation;but,from_oneartisttoanother_,itisratherastrongmeasuretosuspectmeofsuchaproceeding!Thewholethingseemstobeeitheradevicetoputmetothetest,orameresuspicion.InanyeventImaytellyouthatbeforeyoureceivedtheseptetfrommeIhadsentittoMr.SalomoninLondon(tobeplayedathisownconcert,whichIdidsolelyfromfriendship),withtheexpressinjunctiontobewareofitsgettingintootherhands,asitwasmyintentiontohaveitengravedinGermany,and,ifyouchoose,youcanapplytohimfortheconfirmationofthis.Buttogiveyouafurtherproofofmyintegrity,"IherewithgiveyouthefaithfulassurancethatIhaveneithersoldtheseptet,thesymphony,theconcerto,northesonatatoanyonebuttoMessrs.HofmeisterandKühnel,andthattheymayconsiderthemtobetheirownexclusiveproperty.AndtothisIpledgemyhonor."Youmaymakewhatuseyoupleaseofthisguarantee.

Moreover,IbelieveSalomontobeasincapableofthebasenessofengravingtheseptetasIamofsellingittohim.Iwassoscrupulousinthematter,thatwhenappliedtobyvariouspublisherstosanctionapianofortearrangementoftheseptet,Iatoncedeclined,thoughIdonotevenknowwhetheryouproposedmakinguseofitinthisway.Herefollowthelong-promisedtitlesoftheworks.Therewillnodoubtbeagooddealtoalterandtoamendinthem;butthisIleavetoyou.Ishallsoonexpecta

letterfromyou,and,Ihope,theworkslikewise,whichIwishtoseeengraved,asothershaveappeared,andareabouttoappear,inconnectionwiththesenumbers.Ilookonyourstatementasfoundedonmererumors,whichyouhavebelievedwithtoomuchfacility,orbasedentirelyonsupposition,inducedbyhavingperchanceheardthatIhadsenttheworktoSalomon;Icannot,therefore,butfeelsomecoolnesstowardssuchacredulousfriend,thoughIstillsubscribemyself

Yourfriend,

BEETHOVEN.

23.

DEDICATIONTODR.SCHMIDT.[1]

1801.

MONSIEUR,--

Jesensparfaitementbien,quelaCelebritédeVotrenomainsiquel'amitiédontVousm'honorez,exigeroientdemoiladédicaced'unbienplusimportantouvrage.LaseulechosequiapumedétermineràVousoffrircelui-cidepréférence,c'estqu'ilmeparoîtd'uneexécutionplusfacileetparlamêmepluspropreàcontribueràlaSatisfactiondontVous

jouissezdansl'aimableCercledeVotreFamille.--C'estsurtout,lorsquelesheureuxtalentsd'unefillechérieseserontdeveloppésdavantage,quejemeflattedevoircebutatteint.Heureuxsij'yairéussietsidanscettefaiblemarquedemahauteestimeetdemagratitudeVousreconnoisseztoutelavivacitéetlacordialitédemessentiments.

LOUISVANBEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:GrandTrio,Op.38.]



24.

TOHISSCHOLAR,FERDINANDRIES.[1]

1801.

DEARRIES,--

Isendyouherewiththefourpartscorrectedbyme;pleasecomparetheothersalreadywrittenoutwiththese.IalsoenclosealettertoCountBrowne.Ihavetoldhimthathemustmakeanadvancetoyouoffiftyducats,toenableyoutogetyouroutfit.Thisisabsolutelynecessary,soitcannotoffendhim;forafterbeingequipped,youaretogowithhimtoBadenontheMondayoftheensuingweek.Imust,however,reproachyoufornothavinghadrecoursetomelongago.AmInotyourtruefriend?Whydidyouconcealyournecessitiesfromme?Nofriendofmineshalleverbeinneed,solongasIhaveanythingmyself.Iwouldalreadyhavesentyouasmallsum,didInotrelyonBrowne;ifhefailsus,thenapplyatoncetoyour

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:Riesnames1801asthedateofthisletter,anditwasno

doubtduringthatsummerthatCountBrownewasinBaden.Ries'sfatherhadassistedtheBeethovenfamilyineverywayinhispoweratthetimeofthemother'sdeath.]

25.

TOHERRHOFMEISTER,--LEIPZIG.

Vienna,April8,1802.

Doyoumeantogopost-hastetothedevil,gentlemen,byproposingthatIshouldwrite_such_a_sonata_?Duringtherevolutionaryfever,athingof

thekindmighthavebeenappropriate,butnow,wheneverythingisfallingagainintothebeatentrack,andBonapartehasconcludeda_Concordat_withthePope--suchasonataasthis?Ifitwerea_missaproSanctaMariaàtrevoci_,ora_vesper_,&c.,thenIwouldatoncetakeupmypenandwritea _Credoinunum_,ingiganticsemibreves.But,goodheavens!suchasonata,inthisfreshdawningChristianepoch.No,no!--itwon'tdo,andIwillhavenoneofit.

Nowformyanswerinquickest_tempo_.Theladycanhaveasonatafromme,andIamwillingtoadoptthegeneraloutlinesofherplaninan _aesthetical_pointofview,withoutadheringtothekeysnamed.Thepricetobefiveducats;forthissumshecankeeptheworkayearforherownamusement,withouteitherofusbeingentitledtopublishit.Afterthe

lapseofayear,thesonatatoreverttome--thatis,Icanandwillthenpublishit,when,ifsheconsidersitanydistinction,shemayrequestmetodedicateittoher.

Inow,gentlemen,commendyoutothegraceofGod.MySonata[Op.22]iswellengraved,butyouhavebeenafinetimeaboutit!IhopeyouwillushermySeptetintotheworldalittlequicker,astheP----iswaitingforit,andyouknowtheEmpresshasit;andwhenthereareinthisimperialcitypeoplelike----,Icannotbeanswerablefortheresult;solosenotime!



Herr----[Mollo?]haslatelypublishedmyQuartets[Op.18]fulloffaultsand_errata_,bothlargeandsmall,whichswarminthemlikefishinthesea;thatis,theyareinnumerable._Questoèunpiacereperunautore_--thisiswhatIcallengraving[_stechen_,stinging]withavengeance.[1]Intruth,myskinisamassofpuncturesandscratchesfromthisfineeditionofmyQuartets!Nowfarewell,andthinkofmeasIdoofyou.Tilldeath,yourfaithful

L.V.BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:InreferencetothemusicalpiracyatthattimeveryprevalentinAustria.]

26.[1]

TOMYBROTHERSCARLANDJOHANNBEETHOVEN.

Heiligenstadt,Oct.6,1802.

Oh!yewhothinkordeclaremetobehostile,morose,andmisanthropical,howunjustyouare,andhowlittleyouknowthesecretcauseofwhatappearsthustoyou!Myheartandmindwereeverfromchildhoodproneto

themosttenderfeelingsofaffection,andIwasalwaysdisposedtoaccomplishsomethinggreat.ButyoumustrememberthatsixyearsagoIwasattackedbyanincurablemalady,aggravatedbyunskilfulphysicians,deludedfromyeartoyear,too,bythehopeofrelief,andatlengthforcedtotheconvictionofa_lastingaffliction_(thecureofwhichmaygoonforyears,andperhapsafterallproveimpracticable).

Bornwithapassionateandexcitabletemperament,keenlysusceptibletothepleasuresofsociety,Iwasyetobligedearlyinlifetoisolatemyself,andtopassmyexistenceinsolitude.IfIatanytimeresolvedtosurmountallthis,oh!howcruellywasIagainrepelledbytheexperience,sadderthanever,ofmydefectivehearing!--andyetIfounditimpossibletosaytoothers:Speaklouder;shout!forIamdeaf!Alas!howcouldIproclaim

thedeficiencyofasensewhichoughttohavebeenmoreperfectwithmethanwithothermen,--asensewhichIoncepossessedinthehighestperfection,toanextent,indeed,thatfewofmyprofessioneverenjoyed!Alas,Icannotdothis!ForgivemethereforewhenyouseemewithdrawfromyouwithwhomIwouldsogladlymingle.Mymisfortuneisdoublyseverefromcausingmetobemisunderstood.NolongercanIenjoyrecreationinsocialintercourse,refinedconversation,ormutualoutpouringsofthought.Completelyisolated,Ionlyentersocietywhencompelledtodoso.Imustlivelikeanexile.IncompanyIamassailedbythemostpainfulapprehensions,fromthedreadofbeingexposedtotheriskofmyconditionbeingobserved.ItwasthesameduringthelastsixmonthsIspentinthecountry.Myintelligentphysicianrecommendedmetosparemyhearingasmuchaspossible,whichwasquiteinaccordancewithmypresent

disposition,thoughsometimes,temptedbymynaturalinclinationforsociety,Iallowedmyselftobebeguiledintoit.Butwhathumiliationwhenanyonebesidemeheardafluteinthefardistance,whileIheard _nothing_,orwhenothersheard_ashepherdsinging_,andIstillheard _nothing_!Suchthingsbroughtmetothevergeofdesperation,andwellnighcausedmetoputanendtomylife._Art!art_alone,deterredme.Ah!howcouldIpossiblyquittheworldbeforebringingforthallthatIfeltitwasmyvocationtoproduce?[2]AndthusIsparedthismiserablelife--soutterlymiserablethatanysuddenchangemayreducemeatanymomentfrommybestconditionintotheworst.ItisdecreedthatImustnowchoose



_Patience_formyguide!ThisIhavedone.Ihopetheresolvewillnotfailme,steadfastlytoperseveretillitmaypleasetheinexorableFatestocutthethreadofmylife.PerhapsImaygetbetter,perhapsnot.Iampreparedforeither.Constrainedtobecomeaphilosopherinmytwenty-eighthyear![3]Thisisnoslighttrial,andmoresevereonanartistthanonanyoneelse.Godlooksintomyheart,Hesearchesit,andknowsthatloveformanandfeelingsofbenevolencehavetheirabodethere!Oh!yewhomayonedayreadthis,thinkthatyouhavedonemeinjustice,andletanyonesimilarlyafflictedbeconsoled,byfindingonelikehimself,who,indefianceofalltheobstaclesofNature,hasdoneallinhispowertobeincludedintheranksofestimableartistsandmen.MybrothersCarlandJohann,assoonasIamnomore,ifProfessorSchmidt[seeNos.18and23]bestillalive,beghiminmynametodescribemymalady,andtoaddthesepagestotheanalysisofmydisease,thatatleast,sofaraspossible,theworldmaybereconciledtomeaftermydeath.Ialsoherebydeclareyoubothheirsofmysmallfortune(ifsoitmaybecalled).Shareitfairly,agreetogetherandassisteachother.Youknowthatanythingyoudidtogivemepainhasbeenlongforgiven.Ithankyou,mybrotherCarlinparticular,fortheattachmentyouhaveshownmeoflate.Mywishisthatyoumayenjoyahappierlife,andonemorefreefromcare,thanminehasbeen.Recommend_Virtue_toyourchildren;thatalone,andnotwealth,canensurehappiness.Ispeakfromexperience.Itwas_Virtue_alonewhichsustainedmeinmymisery;IhavetothankherandArtfornothavingendedmylifebysuicide.Farewell!Loveeachother.Igratefullythankallmy

friends,especiallyPrinceLichnowskyandProfessorSchmidt.IwishoneofyoutokeepPrinceL----'sinstruments;butItrustthiswillgiverisetonodissensionbetweenyou.Ifyouthinkitmorebeneficial,however,youhaveonlytodisposeofthem.HowmuchIshallrejoiceifIcanserveyoueveninthegrave!Sobeitthen!IjoyfullyhastentomeetDeath.IfhecomesbeforeIhavehadtheopportunityofdevelopingallmyartisticpowers,then,notwithstandingmycruelfate,hewillcometooearlyforme,andIshouldwishforhimatamoredistantperiod;buteventhenIshallbecontent,forhisadventwillreleasemefromastateofendlesssuffering.Comewhenhemay,Ishallmeethimwithcourage.Farewell!Donotquiteforgetme,evenindeath;Ideservethisfromyou,becauseduringmylifeIsooftenthoughtofyou,andwishedtomakeyouhappy.Amen!

LUDWIGVANBEETHOVEN.

(_WrittenontheOutside._)

Thus,then,Itakeleaveofyou,andwithsadnesstoo.ThefondhopeIbroughtwithmehere,ofbeingtoacertaindegreecured,nowutterlyforsakesme.Asautumnleavesfallandwither,soaremyhopesblighted.AlmostasIcame,Idepart.Eventheloftycouragethatsooftenanimatedmeinthelovelydaysofsummerisgoneforever.OProvidence!vouchsafemeonedayofpurefelicity!HowlonghaveIbeenestrangedfromthegladechooftruejoy!When!OmyGod!whenshallIagainfeelitinthetempleofNatureandofman?--never?Ah!thatwouldbetoohard!

(_Outside._)

TobereadandfulfilledaftermydeathbymybrothersCarlandJohann.

[Footnote1:ThisbeautifulletterIregretnottohaveseenintheoriginal,itbeinginthepossessionoftheviolin_virtuoso_Ernst,inLondon.IhaveadheredtotheversiongivenintheLeipzig_AllgemeineMusikalischeZeitung_,Oct.1827.]

[Footnote2:Alargeportionofthe_Eroica_waswritteninthecourseof



thissummer,butnotcompletedtillAugust,1804.]

[Footnote3:Beethovendidnotatthattimeknowinwhatyearhewasborn.SeethesubsequentletterofMay2,1810.Hewasthenfaradvancedinhisthirty-thirdyear.]

27.

NOTICE.

November,1802.

IoweittothepublicandtomyselftostatethatthetwoquintetsinCandEflatmajor--oneofthese(arrangedfromasymphonyofmine)publishedbyHerrMolloinVienna,andtheother(takenfrommySeptet,Op.20)byHerrHofmeisterinLeipzig--arenotoriginalquintets,butonlyversionsoftheaforesaidworksgivenbythepublishers.Arrangementsinthesedays(sofruitfulin--arrangements)anauthorwillfinditvaintocontendagainst;butwemayatleastjustlydemandthatthefactshouldbementionedinthetitle-page,neithertoinjurethereputationoftheauthornortodeceivethepublic.Thisnoticeisgiventopreventanythingofthekindinfuture.Ialsobegtoannouncethatshortlyaneworiginalquintetofmycomposition,inCmajor,Op.29,willappearatBreitkopf&Härtel'sin

Leipzig.LUDWIGVANBEETHOVEN.

28.

TOFERDINANDRIES.

Summerof1803.

YounodoubtareawarethatIamhere.GotoStein,andaskifhecansendmeaninstrument,onhire.Iamafraidofbringingminehere.Cometome

thiseveningaboutseveno'clock.IlodgeinOberdöbling,ontheleftsideofthestreet,No.4,goingdownthehilltowardsHeiligenstadt.

29.

TOHERRHOFMEISTER,--LEIPZIG.

Vienna,Sept.22,1803.

Iherebydeclarealltheworksyouhaveorderedtobeyourproperty.Thelistoftheseshallbemadeoutandsenttoyouwithmysignature,astheproofoftheirbeingyourown.Ialsoagreetoacceptthesumoffifty

ducatsforthem.Areyousatisfied?

Perhaps,insteadofthevariationswithvioloncelloandviolin,[1]Imaysendyouvariationsforthepiano,arrangedasaduetonasongofmine;butGoethe'spoetrymustalsobeengraved,asIwrotethesevariationsinanalbum,andconsiderthembetterthantheothers.Areyousatisfied?

Thearrangementsarenotbyme,thoughIhaverevisedandmuchimprovedvariouspassages;butIdonotwishyoutosaythatIhavearrangedthem,foritwouldbefalse,andIhaveneithertimenorpatiencetodoso.Are



yousatisfied?

Nowfarewell!Isincerelywishthatallmaygowellwithyou.Iwouldgladlymakeyouapresentofallmyworks,ifIcoulddosoandstillgetonintheworld;but--remembermostpeopleareprovidedfor,andknowwhattheyhavetoliveon,while,goodheavens!wherecananappointmentbefoundattheImperialCourtforsucha_parvumtalentumcomego_?

Yourfriend,

L.V.BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:ThesearethesixvariationsinD,ontheair_IchdenkeDein_ writtenin1800inthealbumoftheCountessesJosephineDeymandThérèseofBrunswick.]

30.

CAUTION.

November,1803.

HerrCarlZulehner,apiraticalengraverinMayence,hasannouncedan

editionofmycollectedworksforthepianoforteandalsostringedinstruments.IconsideritmydutypubliclytoinformallfriendsofmusicthatIhavenosharewhateverinthisedition.

Iwouldneverhaveinanywayauthorizedanycollectionofmyworks(which,moreover,Iconsiderpremature)withoutpreviouslyconsultingthepublishersofsinglepieces,andensuringthatcorrectnessinwhicheditionsofmyindividualworksaresodeficient.Imustalsoobservethatthisillegaleditioncannotbecomplete,asseveralnewworksofmineareshortlytoappearinParis,andtheseHerrZulehner,beingaFrenchsubject,darenotpirate.Iintendtotakeanotheropportunityofenumeratingthedetailsofthecollectionofmyworkstobebroughtoutundermyownauspicesandcarefulrevision.

LUDWIGVANBEETHOVEN.

31.

TOHERRRIES.[1]

1804.

BesogoodastomakeoutalistofthemistakesandsenditatoncetoSimrock,andsaythattheworkmustappearassoonaspossible.IwillsendhimtheSonata[Op.47]andtheConcertothedayafterto-morrow.

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:RiesrelatesthatthethreefollowingnotesrefertothepianoforteSonata,Op.31,No.1,carefullyengravedbyNägeliinZurich,whichBeethovenconsequentlysentforthwithtoSimrockinBonn,desiringhimtobringout"_uneéditiontrès-correcte_"ofthework.HealsostatesthatBeethovenwasresidinginHeiligenstadtatthetimetheworkwasfirstsent[seeNo.26].InNottebohm's_SkizzenbuchvonBeethoven_,hesays(p.43)thatthefirstnoticeoftheappearanceofthissonatawasonMay21st,



1803;butSimrockwritestomethatthedateofthedocumentmakingoverthesonatatohimis1804.]

32.

TOHERRRIES.

ImustagainaskyoutoundertakethedisagreeabletaskofmakingafaircopyoftheerrorsintheZurichSonata.Ihavegotyourlistof_errata_ "_aufderWieden_."

33.

TOHERRRIES.

DEARRIES,--

Thesignsarewronglymarked,andmanyofthenotesmisplaced;sobecareful!oryourlaborwillbevain._Ch'adettol'amatobene?_

34.

TOHERRRIES.

DEARRIES,--

MayIbegyoutobesoobligingastocopythis_andante_[intheKreuzerSonata]forme,howeverindifferently?Imustsenditoffto-morrow,andasHeavenaloneknowswhatitsfatemaythenbe,Iwishtogetittranscribed.ButImusthaveitbackto-morrowaboutoneo'clock.Thecauseofmytroublingyouisthatoneofmycopyistsisalreadyverymuchoccupiedwithvariousthingsofimportance,andtheotherisill.

35.

TOTHECOMPOSERLEIDESDORF,--VIENNA.[1]

DORFDESLEIDES[VILLAGEOFSORROW--LEIDESDORF],--

Letthebearerofthis,HerrRies,havesomeeasyduets,and,betterstill,lethimhavethemfornothing.Conductyourselfinaccordancewiththereformeddoctrines.Farewell!

BEETHOVEN

_Minimus._

[Footnote1:Dateunknown.Leidesdorfwasalsoamusic-seller.]

36.

TOHERRRIES.

Baden,July14,1804.



DEARRIES,--

Ifyoucanfindmebetterlodgings,Ishallbeveryglad.Tellmybrothersnottoengagetheseatonce;Ihaveagreatdesiretogetoneinaspacious,quietsquareorontheBastei.Ititreallyinexcusableinmybrothernottohaveprovidedwine,asitissobeneficialandnecessarytome.IshalltakecaretobepresentattherehearsalonWednesday.IamnotpleasedtohearthatitistobeatSchuppanzigh's.Hemaywellbegratefultomeifmyimpertinencesmakehimthinner!Farewell,dearRies!Wehavebadweatherhere,andIamnotsafefromvisitors;soImusttakeflightinordertobealone.

Yourtruefriend,

L.V.BEETHOVEN.

37.

TOHERRRIES.

Baden,July,1804.

DEARRIES,--

AsBreuning[seeNos.13,14,and18]byhisconducthasnotscrupledtodisplaymycharactertoyouandthehouse-stewardasthatofamean,petty,baseman,IbegyouwillconveymyreplyatonceinpersontoBreuning.Iansweronlyonepoint,thefirstinhisletter,andIdososolelybecauseitistheonlymodeofjustifyingmyselfinyoureyes.SayalsotohimthatIhadnointentionofreproachinghimonaccountofthedelayofthenoticetoquit,andevenifBreuningwerereallytoblameforthis,ourharmoniousrelationsaresodearandpreciousinmysight,that,forthesakeofafewhundredsmoreorless,Iwouldneversubjectanyfriendofminetovexation.Youareaware,indeed,thatIjestinglyaccusedyouasthecauseofthenoticearrivingtoolate.Iamquitesurethatyoumustrememberthis.Ihadentirelyforgottenthewholematter,butatdinnermybrother

begantosaythathethoughtBreuningwastoblameintheaffair,whichIatoncedenied,sayingthatyouwereinfault.IthinkthisshowsplainlyenoughthatIattributednoblametoBreuning;butonthishespranguplikeamadman,andinsistedonsendingforthehouse-steward.Suchbehavior,inthepresenceofallthosewithwhomIusuallyassociate,andtowhichIamwhollyunaccustomed,causedmetoloseallself-control;soIalsostartedup,upsetmychair,lefttheroom,anddidnotreturn.ThisconductinducedBreuningtoplacemeinaprettylighttoyouandthehouse-steward,andalsotosendmealetterwhichIonlyansweredbysilence.IhavenotanotherwordtosaytoBreuning.Hismodeofthinkingandofacting,withregardtome,provesthatthereneveroughttohavebeensuchfriendlyintimacybetweenus,andassuredlyitcannevermoreberestored.Iwishedtomakeyouacquaintedwiththis,asyourversionofthe

occurrencedegradedbothmywordsandactions.Iknowthat,hadyoubeenawareoftherealstateoftheaffair,youwouldnothavesaidwhatyoudid,andwiththisIamsatisfied.

Inowbegofyou,dearRies,togotomybrother,theapothecary,assoonasyoureceivethisletter,andsaytohimthatImeantoleaveBadeninthecourseofafewdays,andthatheistoengagethelodginginDöblingassoonasyouhavegivenhimthismessage.Ihadnearlyleftthisto-day;Idetestbeinghere--Iamsickofit.ForHeaven'ssakeurgehimtoclosethebargainatonce,forIwanttotakepossessionimmediately.Neither



shownorspeaktoanyoneofwhatiswritteninthepreviouspageofthisletter.IwishtoprovetohimineveryrespectthatIamnotsomeanlydisposedasheis.IndeedIhavewrittentohim,althoughmyresolveastothedissolutionofourfriendshipremainsfirmandunchangeable.

Yourfriend,

BEETHOVEN.

38.

TOHERRRIES.

Berlin,July24,1804.

...YouwerenodoubtnotalittlesurprisedabouttheaffairwithBreuning;believeme,mydearfriend,thattheebullitiononmypartwasonlyanoutbreakcausedbymanypreviousscenesofadisagreeablenature.Ihavethegiftofbeingabletoconcealandtorepressmysusceptibilityonmanyoccasions;butifattackedatatimewhenIchancetobepeculiarlyirritable,Iburstforthmoreviolentlythananyone.Breuningcertainlypossessesmanyadmirablequalities,buthethinkshimselfquitefaultless;whereastheverydefectsthathediscoversinothersarethosewhichhe

possesseshimselftothehighestdegree.FrommychildhoodIhavealwaysdespisedhispettymind.MypowersofdiscriminationenabledmetoforeseetheresultwithBreuning,forourmodesofthinking,acting,andfeelingareentirelyopposite;andyetIbelievedthatthesedifficultiesmightbeovercome,butexperiencehasdisprovedthis.SonowIwantnomoreofhisfriendship!IhaveonlyfoundtwofriendsintheworldwithwhomIneverhadamisunderstanding;butwhatmenthesewere!Oneisdead,theotherstilllives.Althoughfornearlysixyearspastwehaveseennothingofeachother,yetIknowthatIstillholdthefirstplaceinhisheart,ashedoesinmine[seeNo.12].Thetruebasisoffriendshipistobefoundinsympathyofheartandsoul.IonlywishyoucouldhavereadtheletterIwrotetoBreuning,andhistome.No!nevercanheberestoredtohisformerplaceinmyheart.Themanwhocouldattributetohisfriendsobase

amodeofthinking,andcouldhimselfhaverecoursetosobaseamodeofactingtowardshim,isnolongerworthyofmyfriendship.

Donotforgettheaffairofmyapartments.Farewell!Donotbetoomuchaddictedtotailoring,[1]remembermetothefairestofthefair,andsendmehalfadozenneedles.

InevercouldhavebelievedthatIcouldbesoidleasIamhere.Ifthisbefollowedbyafitofindustry,somethingworthwhilemaybeproduced.

_Vale!_Your

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:Riessays,inWegeler's_BiographicalNotices_:--"BeethovennevervisitedmemorefrequentlythanwhenIlivedinthehouseofatailor,withthreeveryhandsomebutthoroughlyrespectabledaughters."]

39.

TOMESSRS.ARTARIA&CO.[1]



Vienna,June1,1805.

ImustinformyouthattheaffairaboutthenewquintetissettledbetweenCountFriesandmyself.

TheCounthasjustassuredmethatheintendstomakeyouapresentofit;itistoolateto-dayforawrittenagreementonthesubject,butoneshallbesentearlyintheensuingweek.Thisintelligencemustsufficeforthepresent,andIthinkIatalleventsdeserveyourthanksforit.

Yourobedientservant,

LUDWIGVANBEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:ThequintetisprobablynotthatinC,Op.29,dedicatedtoCountv.Fries,previouslypublishedin1803byBreitkopf&Härtel[seeNo.27].ItismorelikelythathealludestoanewquintetwhichtheCounthadnodoubtordered.]

40.

TOMADAMELAPRINCESSELIECHTENSTEIN,&C.[1]

November,1805.Praypardonme,illustriousPrincess,ifthebearerofthisshouldcauseyouanunpleasantsurprise.PoorRies,myscholar,isforcedbythisunhappywartoshoulderamusket,andmustmoreoverleavethisinafewdays,beingaforeigner.Hehasnothing,literallynothing,andisobligedtotakealongjourney.Allchanceofaconcertonhisbehalfisthusentirelyatanend,andhemusthaverecoursetothebenevolenceofothers.Irecommendhimtoyou.IknowyouwillforgivethestepIhavetaken.Anoble-mindedmanwouldonlyhaverecoursetosuchmeasuresinthemostutterextremity.Confidentofthis,Isendthepooryouthtoyou,inthehopeofsomewhatimprovinghiscircumstances.Heisforcedtoapplytoallwhoknowhim.

Iam,withthedeepestrespect,yours,

L.VANBEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:CommunicatedbyRieshimself,who,toBeethoven'sextremeindignation,didnotdeliverthenote.SeeWegeler'swork,p.134.Thefollowingremarkisadded:--"Dateunknown;writtenafewdaysbeforetheentranceoftheFrenchin1805"(whichtookplaceNov.13).Ries,anativeofBonn,wasnowaFrenchsubject,andrecalledunderthelawsofconscription.TheSonata,Op.27,No.1,isdedicatedtoPrincessLiechtenstein.]

41.

TOHERRMEYER.[1]

1805.

DEARMEYER,--

PraytrytopersuadeHerrv.SeyfriedtodirectmyOpera,asIwishonthis



occasiontoseeandhearitmyself_fromadistance_;inthiswaymypatiencewillatalleventsnotbesoseverelytriedaswhenIamcloseenoughtohearmymusicsobungled.Ireallydobelievethatitisdoneonpurposetoannoyme!Iwillsaynothingofthewind-instruments;butall _pp._'s,_cresc._,_discresc._,andall_f._'sand_ff._'smayaswellbestruckoutofmyOpera,fornoattentionwhateverispaidtothem.Ishallloseallpleasureincomposinganythinginfuture,ifIamtohearitgiventhus.To-morroworthedayafterIwillcometofetchyoutodinner.To-dayIamagainunwell.

Yourfriend,

BEETHOVEN.

IftheOperaistobeperformedthedayafterto-morrow,theremustbeanotherprivaterehearsalto-morrow,or_eachtimeitwillbegivenworseandworse_.

[Footnote1:Meyer,thehusbandofMozart'seldestsister-in-law,Josepha(Hofer'swidow),sangthepartofPizarroatthefirstperformanceof _Fidelio_,Nov.20,1805,andalsoatalaterperiod.SeyfriedwasatthattimeKapellmeisterattheTheatre"anderWien."]

42.TESTIMONIALFORC.CZERNY.

Vienna,Dec.7,1805.

I,theundersigned,amgladtobeartestimonytoyoungCarlCzernyhavingmadethemostextraordinaryprogressonthepianoforte,farbeyondwhatmightbeexpectedattheageoffourteen.Iconsiderhimdeservingofallpossibleassistance,notonlyfromwhatIhavealreadyreferredto,butfromhisastonishingmemory,andmoreespeciallyfromhisparentshavingspentalltheirmeansincultivatingthetalentoftheirpromisingson.

LUDWIGVANBEETHOVEN.

43.

TOHERRRÖCKEL.[1]

DEARRÖCKEL,--

BesurethatyouarrangemattersproperlywithMdlle.Milder,andsaytoherpreviouslyfromme,thatIhopeshewillnotsinganywhereelse.Iintendtocallonherto-morrow,tokissthehemofhergarment.DonotalsoforgetMarconi,andforgivemeforgivingyousomuchtrouble.

Yourswholly,

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:Röckel,in1806tenorattheTheatre"anderWien,"sangthepartofFlorestaninthespringofthatyear,when_Fidelio_wasrevived.Mdlle.Milder,afterwardsMdme.Hauptmann,playedLeonore;Mdme.Marconiwasalsoprimadonna.]



44.

TOHERRCOLLIN,[1]COURTSECRETARYANDPOET.

MYESTEEMEDCOLLIN,--

Ihearthatyouareabouttofulfilmygreatestwishandyourownpurpose.MuchasIdesiretoexpressmydelighttoyouinperson,Icannotfindtimetodoso,havingsomuchtooccupyme.Praydonotthenascribethistoanywantofproperattentiontowardsyou.Isendyouthe"Armida";assoonasyouhaveentirelydonewithit,prayreturnit,asitdoesnotbelongtome.Iam,withsincereesteem,

Yours,

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:Collin,CourtSecretary,wastheauthorof_Coriolanus_,atragedyforwhichBeethovenin1807wrotethecelebratedOverturededicatedtothatpoet.AccordingtoReichardt,Collinofferedthelibrettoof _Bradamante_toBeethovenin1808,whichReichardtsubsequentlycomposed.Thisnoteevidentlyreferstoa_libretto_.]

45.

TOHERRGLEICHENSTEIN.[1]

Ishouldlikeverymuch,mygoodGleichenstein,tospeaktoyouthisforenoonbetweenoneandtwoo'clock,orintheafternoon,andwhereyouplease.To-dayIamtoobusytocallearlyenoughtofindyouathome.Givemeananswer,anddon'tforgettoappointtheplaceforustomeet.Farewell,andcontinueyourregardforyour

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:Probablyinreferencetoaconferencewithregardtoacontractforthepublicationofhisworks,Op.58,59,60,61,and62,thatBeethovenhadmadeonthe20thApril,1807,withMuzioClementi,whohadestablishedalargemusicfirminLondon;itwasalsosignedbyBaronGleichen.

Beethoven'sfirstintentionwastodedicateOp.58tohim,whichisevidentfromalargepageinSchindler'swork,onwhichiswritteninboldcharacters,bythemaster'sownhand,"_QuatrièmeConcertopourlePiano,avecaccompagnement,etc.,dédiéàsonamiGleichenstein_,"&c.ThenameoftheArchdukeRudolphhadbeenpreviouslywritten,andwaseventuallyadopted,andGleichensteinafterwardsreceivedthededicationoftheGrandSonatawithvioloncello,Op.69.]

46.

TOTHEDIRECTORSOFTHECOURTTHEATRE.[1]

Vienna,December,1807.

TheundersignedhascausetoflatterhimselfthatduringtheperiodofhisstayinViennahehasgainedsomefavorandapprobationfromthehighest



nobility,aswellasfromthepublicatlarge,hisworkshavingmetwithanhonorablereceptionbothinthisandothercountries.Neverthelesshehashaddifficultiesofeverykindtocontendagainst,andhasnothithertobeensofortunateastoacquireapositionthatwouldenablehim_tolivesolelyforart_,andtodevelophistalentstoastillhigherdegreeofperfection,whichoughttobetheaimofeveryartist,thusensuringfutureindependenceinsteadofmerecasualprofits.

Themerewish_togainalivelihood_hasneverbeentheleadingclewthathashithertoguidedtheundersignedonhispath.Hisgreataimhasbeenthe _interestofart_andtheennoblingoftaste,whilehisgenius,soaringtoahigheridealandgreaterperfection,frequentlycompelledhimtosacrificehistalentsandprofitstotheMuse.Stillworksofthiskindwonforhimareputationindistantlands,securinghimthemostfavorablereceptioninvariousplacesofdistinction,andapositionbefittinghistalentsandacquirements.

Theundersigneddoesnot,however,hesitatetosaythatthiscityisaboveallothersthemostpreciousanddesirableinhiseyes,owingtothenumberofyearshehaslivedhere,thefavorandapprovalhehasenjoyedfrombothhighandlow,andhiswishfullytorealizetheexpectationshehashadthegoodfortunetoexcite,butmostofall,hemaytrulysay,fromhis _patriotismasaGerman_.Before,therefore,makinguphismindtoleaveaplacesodeartohim,hebegstorefertoahintwhichthereigningPrince

Lichnowskywassokindastogivehim,totheeffectthatthedirectorsofthetheatreweredisposedtoengagetheundersignedonreasonableconditionsintheserviceoftheirtheatre,andtoensurehisremaininginViennabysecuringtohimapermanentposition,morepropitioustothefurtherexerciseofhistalents.Asthisassuranceisentirelyinaccordancewiththewishesoftheundersigned,hetakestheliberty,withallduerespect,toplacebeforethedirectorshisreadinesstoenterintosuchanengagement,andbegstostatethefollowingconditionsfortheirgraciousconsideration.

1.Theundersignedundertakesandpledgeshimselftocomposeeachyearatleast_onegrandopera_,tobeselectedbythedirectorsandhimself;inreturnforthishedemandsa_fixedsalary_of2400florinsayear,and

alsoafreebenefitatthethirdperformanceofeachsuchopera.

2.Healsoagreestosupplythedirectorsannuallywithalittle_operetta_ ora_divertissement_,withchorusesoroccasionalmusicofthekind,asmayberequired,_gratis_;hefeelsconfidentthatontheotherhandthedirectorswillnotrefuse,inreturnforthesevariouslabors,togranthim _abenefitconcert_atalleventsonceayearinoneofthetheatres.Surelytheaboveconditionscannotbethoughtexorbitantorunreasonable,whentheexpenditureoftimeandenergyentailedbytheproductionofan _opera_istakenintoaccount,asitentirelyexcludesthepossibilityofallothermentalexertion;inotherplaces,too,theauthorandhisfamilyhaveashareintheprofitsofeveryindividualperformance,sothateven _one_successfulworkatonceensuresthefuturefortunesofthecomposer.

Itmustalsobeconsideredhowprejudicialthepresentrateofexchangeistoartistshere,andlikewisethehighpriceofthenecessariesoflife,whilearesidenceinforeigncountriesisopentothem.

Butinanyevent,whetherthedirectorsaccedetoordeclinethispresentproposal,theundersignedventurestorequestthathemaybepermittedtogiveaconcertforhisownbenefitinoneofthetheatres.Forifhisconditionsbeaccepted,theundersignedmustdevoteallhistimeandtalentstothecompositionofsuchanopera,andthusbepreventedworkinginanyotherwayforprofit.Incaseofthenon-acceptanceofthese



proposals,astheconcerthewasauthorizedtogivelastyeardidnottakeplaceowingtovariousobstacles,hewouldentreat,asapartingtokenofthefavorhithertovouchsafedtohim,thatthepromiseoflastyearmaynowbefulfilled.Intheformercase,hewouldbegtosuggest_AnnunciationDay_[March25.]forhisconcert,andinthelatteradayduringtheensuingChristmasvacation.

LUDWIGVANBEETHOVEN,M.P.

[_Manupropria._]

[Footnote1:Thisapplicationwasfruitless.SeeReichardt's_VertrauteBriefe_."Thesetwo(LobkowitzandEsterhazy)aretheheadsofthegreattheatricaldirection,whichconsistsentirelyofprincesandcounts,whoconductallthelargetheatresontheirownaccountandattheirownrisk."ThecloseofthislettershowsthatitwaswritteninDecember.]

47.

TOCOUNTFRANZVONOPPERSDORF.[1]

Vienna,Nov.1,1808[_sic!_].

MYDEARCOUNT,--IfearyouwilllookonmewithdispleasurewhenItellyouthatnecessitycompelledmenotonlytodisposeofthesymphonyIwroteforyou,buttotransferanotheralsotosomeoneelse.Beassured,however,thatyoushallsoonreceivetheoneIintendforyou.IhopethatbothyouandtheCountess,towhomIbegmykindregards,havebeenwellsincewemet.IamatthismomentstayingwithCountessErdödyintheapartmentsbelowthoseofPrinceLichnowsky.ImentionthisincaseyoudomethehonortocallonmewhenyouareinVienna.Mycircumstancesareimproving,withouthavingrecoursetotheinterventionofpeople_whotreattheirfriendsinsultingly_.Ihavealsotheofferofbeingmade_Kapellmeister_totheKingofWestphalia,anditispossiblethatImayaccepttheproposal.

Farewell,andsometimesthinkofyourattachedfriend,

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:ThefourthSymphonyisdedicatedtoCountOppersdorf.]

48.[1]

IfearIamtoolateforto-day,butIhaveonlynowbeenabletogetbackyourmemorialfromC----,becauseH----wishedtoaddvariousitemshereandthere.Idobegofyoutodwellchieflyonthegreatimportancetomeofadequateopportunitiestoexercisemyart;bysodoingyouwillwrite

whatismostinaccordancewithmyheadandmyheart.ThepreamblemustsetforthwhatIamtohaveinWestphalia--600ducatsingold,150ducatsfortravellingexpenses;allIhavetodoinreturnforthissumbeingtodirecttheKing's[Jerome's]concerts,whichareshortandfewinnumber.IamnotevenboundtodirectanyoperaImaywrite.So,thusfreedfromallcare,Ishallbeabletodevotemyselfentirelytothemostimportantobjectofmyart--towritegreatworks.Anorchestraisalsotobeplacedatmydisposition.

N.B.Asmemberofatheatricalassociation,thetitleneednotbeinsisted



on,asitcanproducenothingbutannoyance.Withregardtothe_Imperialservice_,Ithinkthatpointrequiresdelicatehandling,andnotlesssothesolicitationforthetitleof_ImperialKapellmeister_.Itmust,however,bemadequiteclearthatIamtoreceiveasufficientsalaryfromtheCourttoenablemetorenouncetheannuitywhichIatpresentreceivefromthegentlemeninquestion[theArchdukeRudolph,PrinceKinsky,andPrinceLobkowitz],whichIthinkwillbemostsuitablyexpressedbymystatingthatitismyhope,andhaseverbeenmymostardentwish,toentertheImperialservice,whenIshallbereadytogiveupasmuchoftheabovesalaryasthesumIamtoreceivefromHisImperialMajestyamountsto.(N.B.Wemusthaveitto-morrowattwelveo'clock,aswegotoKinskythen.Ihopetoseeyouto-day.)

[Footnote1:Thisnote,nowfirstpublished,referstothecallBeethovenhadreceived,mentionedinthepreviousNo.Thesketchofthememorialthatfollowsisnot,however,inBeethoven'swriting,andperhapsnotevencomposedbyhim[seealsoNo.46].ItiswellknownthattheArchdukeRudolph,PrinceKinsky,andPrinceLobkowitzhadsecuredtothe_maestro_asalaryof4000gulden.]

49.

Theaimandendeavorofeverytrueartistmustbetoacquireapositionin

whichhecanoccupyhimselfexclusivelywiththeaccomplishmentofgreatworks,undisturbedbyotheravocationsorbyconsiderationsofeconomy.Acomposer,therefore,canhavenomoreardentwishthantodevotehimselfwhollytothecreationofworksofimportance,tobeproducedbeforethepublic.Hemustalsokeepinviewtheprospectofoldage,inordertomakeasufficientprovisionforthatperiod.

TheKingofWestphaliahasofferedBeethovenasalaryof600goldducatsforlife,and150ducatsfortravellingexpenses,inreturnforwhichhissoleobligationsare,occasionallytoplaybeforeHisMajesty,andtoconducthischamberconcerts,whicharebothfewandshort.Thisproposalisofamostbeneficialnaturebothtoartandtheartist.

Beethoven,however,muchprefersaresidenceinthiscapital,feelingsomuchgratitudeforthemanyproofsofkindnesshehasreceivedinit,andsomuchpatriotismforhisadoptedfather-land,thathewillneverceasetoconsiderhimselfanAustrianartist,nortakeuphisabodeelsewhere,ifanythingapproachingtothesameadvantagesareconferredonhimhere.

Asmanypersonsofhigh,indeedoftheveryhighestrank,haverequestedhimtonametheconditionsonwhichhewouldbedisposedtoremainhere,incompliancewiththeirwishhestatesasfollows:--

1.Beethovenmustreceivefromsomeinfluentialnoblemansecurityforapermanentsalaryforlife:variouspersonsofconsiderationmightcontributetomakeuptheamountofthissalary,which,atthepresent

increasedpriceofallcommodities,mustnotconsistoflessthan4000florins_perannum_.Beethoven'swishisthatthedonorsofthissumshouldbeconsideredascooperatingintheproductionofhisfuturegreatworks,bythusenablinghimtodevotehimselfentirelytotheselabors,andbyrelievinghimfromallotheroccupations.

2.Beethovenmustalwaysretaintheprivilegeoftravellingintheinterestsofart,forinthiswayalonecanhemakehimselfknown,andacquiresomefortune.



3.HismostardentdesireandeagerwishistobereceivedintotheImperialservice,whensuchanappointmentwouldenablehimpartlyorwhollytorenouncetheproposedsalary.Inthemeantimethetitleof _ImperialKapellmeister_wouldbeverygratifyingtohim;andifthiswishcouldberealized,thevalueofhisabodeherewouldbemuchenhancedinhiseyes.

Ifhisdesirebefulfilled,andasalarygrantedbyHisMajestytoBeethoven,hewillrenouncesomuchofthesaid4000florinsastheImperialsalaryshallamountto;orifthisappointmentbe4000florins,hewillgiveupthewholeoftheformersum.

4.AsBeethovenwishesfromtimetotimetoproducebeforethepublicatlargehisnewgreatworks,hedesiresanassurancefromthepresentdirectorsofthetheatreontheirpart,andthatoftheirsuccessors,thattheywillauthorizehimtogiveaconcertforhisownbenefiteveryyearonPalmSunday,intheTheatre"anderWien."InreturnforwhichBeethovenagreestoarrangeanddirectanannualconcertforthebenefitofthepoor,or,ifthiscannotbemanaged,atalleventstofurnishanewworkofhisownforsuchaconcert.

50.

TOZMESKALL.December,1808.

MYEXCELLENTFRIEND,--

Allwouldgowellnowifwehadonlyacurtain,withoutitthe_Aria_["Ah!Perfido"]_willbeafailure_.[1]Ionlyheardthisto-dayfromS.[Seyfried],anditvexesmemuch:acurtainofanykindwilldo,evenabed-curtain,ormerelya_kindofgauzescreen_,whichcouldbeinstantlyremoved.Theremustbesomething;fortheAriaisinthe_dramaticstyle_,andbetteradaptedforthestagethanforeffectinaconcert-room. _Withoutacurtain,orsomethingofthesort,theAriawillbedevoidof

allmeaning,andruined!ruined!ruined!!Deviltakeitall!_TheCourtwillprobablybepresent.BaronSchweitzer[ChamberlainoftheArchdukeAnton]requestedmeearnestlytomaketheapplicationmyself.ArchdukeCarlgrantedmeanaudienceandpromisedtocome.TheEmpress_neitherpromisednorrefused_.

Ahangingcurtain!!!!ortheAriaandIwillbothbehangedto-morrow.Farewell!Iembraceyouascordiallyonthisnewyearasintheoldone. _Withorwithoutacurtain!_Your

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:Reichardt,inhis_VertrauteBriefe_relatesamongother

thingsabouttheconcertgivenbyBeethovenintheRoyalTheatre"anderWien,"Oct.22,1808,asfollows:--"PoorBeethoven,whoderivedfromthisconcertthefirstandonlynetprofitswhichaccruedtohimduringthewholeyear,metwithgreatoppositionandveryslendersupportinarrangingandcarryingitout.Firstcamethe_PastoralSymphony;or,ReminiscencesofRuralLife_;thenfollowed,asthesixthpiece,alongItalian_scena_,sungbyDemoiselleKillitzky,alovelyBohemianwithalovelyvoice."Theabovenote[toZmeskall?]certainlyreferstothisconcert.]



51.

TOFERDINANDRIES.[1]

1809.

MYDEARFELLOW,--

Yourfriendshaveatanyrategivenyouverybadadvice;butIknowallaboutthem:theyaretheverysametowhomyousentthatfinenewsaboutmefromParis;theverysamewhoinquiredaboutmyage--informationthatyoucontrivedtosupplysocorrectly!--theverysamewhohaveoftenbeforeinjuredyouinmyopinion,butnowpermanently.Farewell!

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:Rieshimselfgivesthedateofthisnoteas1809,thoughhecannotrecallwhatgaverisetoit.ItisprobablyconnectedwithafactmentionedbyWegeler,p.95,thatReichardt,whowasatthattimeinVienna,hadadvisedBeethoven'syoungpupil,Ries,toapplytotheKingofWestphaliafortheappointmentofKapellmeister,whichhehadrecentlygivenup.ThiswasreportedtoBeethoven,androusedhisire.Ries,too,hadwrittenfromParisthatthetasteinmusictherewasveryindifferent;thatBeethoven'sworkswerelittleknownorplayedinthatcity.Beethoven

wasalsoverysusceptiblewithregardtohisage.AttherequestofsomeofBeethoven'sfriends,Ries,in1806,obtainedBeethoven'sbaptismalcertificate,andsentittoVienna.Butthe_maestro's_wrathonthisoccasionpassedawayasquicklyasusual.]

52.

TOZMESKALL.[1]

March7,1809.

ItisjustwhatIexpected!Astotheblows,thatisratherfar-fetched.

Thestoryisatleastthreemonths'old,andverydifferentfromwhathenowmakesitouttobe.Thewholestupidaffairwascausedbyafemalehucksterandacoupleoflowfellows.Iloseverylittle.HenodoubtwascorruptedintheveryhousewhereIamnowliving.

[Footnote1:[SeeNo.10.]ThenotestoZmeskallgenerallyhavethedateswrittenbyhimself.ThisonebearsthedateMarch7,1809.Inallpointsconnectedwithdomesticlife,andespeciallyinhouseholdmattersanddiscords,Zmeskallwasalwaysakindandconsolatoryfriend.BeethovenatthattimelivedinthesamehousewithCountessErdödy.[SeeNo.74.]]

53.

TOZMESKALL.

Mymostexcellent,high,andwell-bornHerrv.Zmeskall,CourtSecretaryandMemberoftheSocietyoftheSingleBlessed,--IfIcometoseeyouto-day,ascribeittothefactthatapersonwishestospeaktomeatyourhousewhomIcouldnotrefusetosee.Icomewithoutany_card_fromyou,butIhopeyouwillnotonthataccount_discard_me.

Yourstruly--mosttruly,



L.V.BEETHOVEN.

54.

TOZMESKALL.

Itseemstome,dearZmeskall,ifwarreallydoesbreakout,whenitcomestoanendyouwillbetheverymanforanappointmentinthePeaceLegation.Whatagloriousoffice!!!Ileaveitentirelytoyoutodothebestyoucanaboutmyservant,onlyhenceforthCountessErdödymustnotattempttoexercisethesmallestinfluenceoverhim.Shesaysshemadehimapresentoftwenty-fiveflorins,andgavehimfiveflorinsamonth,solelytoinducehimtostaywithme.Icannotrefusetobelievethistraitofgenerosity,butIdonotchoosethatitshouldberepeated.Farewell!Ithankyouforyourfriendship,andhopesoontoseeyou.

Yoursever,

BEETHOVEN.

55.

TOZMESKALL.[1]

April16,1809.

IfIcannotcometo-day,dearZmeskallwhichisverypossible,askBaronessvon----[nameillegible]togiveyouthepianofortepartoftheTrios,andbesogoodastosendthemandtheotherpartstometo-day.

Inhaste,your

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:April16,1809.BytheTerzettshenodoubtmeanstheTrios,Op.70,dedicatedtoCountessErdödy.]

56.

TOZMESKALL.

April17,1809.

DEARZ.,--

Asuitablelodginghasjustbeenfoundoutforme,butIneedsomeoneto

helpmeintheaffair.Icannotemploymybrother,becauseheonlyrecommendswhatcostsleastmoney.Letmeknow,therefore,ifwecangotogethertolookatthehouse.ItisintheKlepperstall.[1]

[Footnote1:AnderMölkerBastei.]

57.

TOZMESKALL.



April25,1809.

Ishallbeglad,rightglad,toplay.Isendyouthevioloncellopart;ifyoufindthatyoucanmanageit,playityourself,orletoldKraft[1]doso.Iwilltellyouaboutthelodgingwhenwemeet.

Yourfriend,

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:AntonKraft(andlikewisehisson,NicolausKraft)wasamostadmirablevioloncello-player,withwhomBeethovenfromtheearliestdaysofhisresidenceinViennahadplayedagreatdealatPrinceLichnowsky's.KraftwasatthattimeinPrinceLobkowitz'sband.]

58.

TOZMESKALL.[1]

May14,1809.

MYDEARLITTLEMUSICALOLDCOUNT!--

IthinkafterallitwouldbeadvisabletoletoldKraftplay,asthetriosaretobeheardforthefirsttime(insociety),andyoucanplaythemafterwards;butIleaveitalltoyourownoption.Ifyoumeetwithanydifficulties,oneofwhichmaypossiblybethatKraftandS.[Schuppanzigh]donotharmonizewelltogether,thenHerrv.Zmeskallmustdistinguishhimself,notasameremusicalCount,butasanenergeticmusician.

Yourfriend,

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:KraftandSchuppanzighweretheneachgivingquartet

_soirées_.]

59.

TOFREIHERRV.HAMMER-PURGSTALL.[1]

1809.

IfeelalmostashamedofyourcomplaisanceandkindnessinpermittingmetoseetheMS.ofyourasyetunknownliterarytreasures.Prayreceivemysincerethanks.Ialsobegtoreturnbothyouroperettas.Whollyengrossedbymyprofessionalavocations,itisimpossibleformetogiveanopinion,

especiallywithregardtotheIndianOperetta;assoonastimepermits,Iwillcallonyouforthepurposeofdiscussingthissubject,andalsotheOratorioof"TheDeluge."Prayalwaysincludemeamongthewarmadmirersofyourgreattalents.

Iam,sir,withsincereesteem,yourobedient

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:IseeinSchindler's_Beethoven_,thathewishedtohave"an



IndianChorusofareligiouscharacter"fromthisrenownedOrientalist,who,insendinghis_PersianOperetta_,written"ratherwithanidealthanamusicalobject,"andlikewiseanoratorio,_TheDeluge_,remarks:--"Shouldyounotfindtheseworksinallrespectsexecutedquitetoyourtaste,stillIfeelconvincedthatthroughthegeniusofaBeethovenalonecanmusicportraytherisingofthegreatfloodandthepacifyingofthesurgingwaters."]

60.

TOFREIHERRV.HAMMER-PURGSTALL.[1]

1809.

Forgiveme,mydearH----,fornothavingbroughtyoutheletterforParis.Ihavebeen,andstillam,somuchoccupied,thatdayafterdayIamobligedtodelaywritingit,butyoushallhaveitto-morrow,evenifIamunabletocomemyselftoseeyou,whichIammostanxioustodo.

ThereisanothermatterthatIwouldmostearnestlypressonyou;perhapsyoumightsucceedindoingsomethingfora_poorunfortunateman_.IalludetoHerrStoll,sonofthecelebratedphysician.Withmanypersonsthequestioniswhetheramanhasbeenruinedbyhisownfaultorbythatof

others,butthisisnotsowitheitheryouorme;itissufficientthatStollisunfortunate,andlooksonajourneytoParisashissoleresource,havinglastyearmademanyinfluentialacquaintances,who,whenhegoesthere,aretoendeavortoprocurehimaprofessorshipinWestphalia.StollhasthereforeappliedtoHerrv.Neumann,intheStateChanceryOffice,tosendhimwithagovernmentcouriertoParis,butthelatterrefusestotakehimforlessthantwenty-fivelouisd'or.NowIrequestyou,mydearfriend,tospeaktoHerrv.Neumanntoarrange,ifpossible,thatthecouriershouldeithertakeStoll_gratis_,orforasmallsum.Iampersuadedthatifthereisnothingparticularagainstit,youwillbegladtointerestyourselfinpoorStoll.Ireturntothecountryto-day,buthopesoontobesofortunateastoenjoyanhourofyoursociety.InthemeantimeIsendyoumybestwishes,andbegyouwillbelieveinthe

sincereesteemof

Yourobedient

LUDWIGv.BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:ReichardtstatesthatStollwasinViennainthespringof1809,whichfixesthedateofthisletter.Napoleonbestowedapensionontheyoungpoet(whoappearstohavegonetoParis),mistakinghimforhisfather,thecelebratedphysician.]

61.

TOBARONESSVONDROSSDICK.

MYESTEEMEDTHÉRÈSE,--

YouwillreceivewiththiswhatIpromised.Hadnotmanyseriousobstaclesintervened,Iwouldhavesentyoumore,inordertoshowyouthatwheremyfriendsareconcerned_IalwaysperformmorethanIpromise_.Ihope,anddonotdoubt,thatyouareagreeablyoccupiedandenjoyingsociety,butnottoomuch,Itrust,topreventyourthinkingofus.Itwouldshowtoomuch



confidenceinyou,ortoohighanestimationofmyownmerits,wereItoattributethesentimenttoyou,"Thatpeoplearenottogetheronlywhenpresent,butthattheabsentandthedeadalsolivewithus."WhocouldascribesuchathoughttothevolatileThérèse,whotakestheworldsolightly?Amongyourvariousoccupations,donotforgetthepiano,orrather,musicingeneral,forwhichyouhavesofineatalent:whynotthenseriouslycultivateit?You,whohavesomuchfeelingforthegoodandthebeautiful,shouldstrivetorecognizetheperfectionsofsocharminganart,whichinreturnalwayscastssobrightareflectiononus.

Iliveinentirequietandsolitude,andeventhoughoccasionalflashesoflightarouseme,stillsinceyouallleftthisIfeelahopelessvoidwhichevenmyart,usuallysofaithfultome,hasnotyettriumphedover.Yourpianoforteisordered,andyoushallsoonhaveit.WhatadifferenceyoumusthavediscoveredbetweenthetreatmentofthethemeIextemporizedontheothereveningandthemodeinwhichIhaverecentlywrittenitoutforyou?Youmustexplainthisyourself,onlydonotfindthesolutioninthepunch!Howhappyyouaretogetawaysosoontothecountry!Icannotenjoythisluxurytillthe8th.Ilookforwardtoitwiththedelightofachild.WhathappinessIshallfeelinwanderingamonggrovesandwoods,andamongtrees,andplants,androcks!NomanonearthcanlovethecountryasIdo!Thickets,trees,androckssupplytheechomanlongsfor!

Youshallsoonreceivesomemoreofmycompositions,whichwillnotcause

youtocomplainsomuchofdifficulties.HaveyoureadGoethe's"WilhelmMeister,"andSchlegel's"TranslationsofShakspeare"?Peoplehavesomuchleisureinthecountry,thatperhapsyouwouldlikemetosendyoutheseworks?IthappensthatIhaveanacquaintanceinyourneighborhood;soperhapsyoumayseemesomemorningearlyforhalfanhour,afterwhichImustbeoffagain.YouwillalsoobservethatIintendtoboreyouforasshortatimeaspossible.[1]

Commendmetotheregardofyourfatherandmother,thoughIhaveasyetnorighttoclaimit.RemembermealsotoyourcousinM.[Mathilde].Farewell,myesteemedThérèse;Iwishyouallthegoodandcharmthatlifecanoffer.Thinkofmekindly,andforgetmyfollies.Restassuredthatnoonewouldmorerejoicetohearofyourhappiness,evenwereyoutofeelnointerest

inyourdevotedservantandfriend,

BEETHOVEN.

N.B.Itwouldbeveryamiableinyoutowritemeafewlines,tosayifIcanbeofanyusetoyouhere.

[Footnote1:Herrv.MalfattiRohrenbach,nephewoftherenownedphysicianwhowassoprominentinBeethoven'slastillness,latelyrelatedtomeinViennaasfollows:--BeethovenwenttopayavisittoyoungFrauThérèse,BaronessDrossdick,atMödling,butnotfindingherathome,hetoreasheetofmusic-paperoutofabook,andwrotesomemusictoaverseofMatthisson's,andontheotherside,inscribed,inlargeletters,"Tomy

dearThérèse."The"Mathilde"mentionedfartheronwas,accordingtoBärmann,aBaronessGleichenstein.[SeeNo.45.]]

62.

ÀMDLLE.MDLLE.DEGERARDI.[1]

DEARMDLLE.G.,--



Icannotwithtruthdenythattheversesyousenthaveconsiderablyembarrassedme.Itcausesastrangesensationtoseeandhearyourselfpraised,andyettobeconsciousofyourowndefects,asIam.IconsidersuchoccurrencesasmereincitementstostrivetodrawnearertheunattainablegoalsetbeforeusbyArtandNature,difficultasitmaybe.Theseversesaretrulybeautiful,withtheexceptionofonefaultthatweoftenfindinpoets,whichis,theirbeingmisledbyFancytobelievethattheyreallydoseeandhear_whattheywishtoseeandhear_,andyeteventhisisfarbelowtheirideal.YoumaywellbelievethatIwishtobecomeacquaintedwiththepoetorpoetess;prayreceivealsoyourselfmythanksforthekindlyfeelingyoushowtowardsyoursincerefriend,

L.V.BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:Nothinghashithertobeenascertainedrespectingeitherthedateofthisnote,ortheladytowhomitisaddressed.]

63.

TOZMESKALL.[1]

January23,1810.

Whatareyouabout?Mygayetyyesterday,thoughonlyassumed,hasnotonlyvexedbutoffendedyou.The_uninvitedguests_seemedsolittletodeserveyourill-humor,thatIendeavoredtouseallmyfriendlyinfluencetopreventyourgivingwaytoit,bymypretendedflowofspirits.Iamstillsufferingfromindigestion.Saywhetheryoucanmeetmeatthe"Swan"to-day.

Yourtruefriend,

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:Thecausethatgaverisetothisnoteisnotknown.]

64.

TOWEGELER.

Vienna,May2,1810.

MYDEAROLDFRIEND,--

Theselinesmayverypossiblycauseyousomesurprise,andyet,thoughyouhavenowrittenproofofit,Ialwaysretainthemostlivelyremembranceofyou.AmongmyMSS.isonethathaslongbeendestinedforyou,andwhichyoushallcertainlyreceivethissummer.Forthelasttwoyearsmysecluded

andquietlifehasbeenatanend,andIhavebeenforciblydrawnintothevortexoftheworld;thoughasyetIhaveattainednogoodresultfromthis,--nay,perhapsratherthereverse,--butwhohasnotbeenaffectedbythestormsaroundus?StillIshouldnotonlybehappy,butthehappiestofmen,ifademonhadnottakenuphissettledabodeinmyears.HadInotsomewherereadthatmanmustnotvoluntarilyputanendtohislifewhilehecanstillperformevenonegooddeed,Ishouldlongsincehavebeennomore,andbymyownhandtoo!Ah!howfairislife;butformeitisforeverpoisoned!



Youwillnotrefusemeonefriendlyservice,whichistoprocurememybaptismalcertificate.AsSteffenBreuninghasanaccountwithyou,hecanpayanyexpensesyoumayincur,andIwillrepayhimhere.Ifyouthinkitworthwhiletomaketheinquiryinperson,andchoosetomakeajourneyfromCoblenztoBonn,youhaveonlytochargeitalltome.Imust,however,warnyouthatIhadan_elderbrother_whosenamewasalsoLudwig,withthesecondnameof_Maria_,whodied.Inordertoknowmypreciseage,thedateofmybirthmustbefirstascertained,thiscircumstancehavingalreadyledothersintoerror,andcausedmetobethoughtolderthanIreallyam.Unluckily,Ilivedforsometimewithoutmyselfknowingmyage[seeNos.26and51].Ihadabookcontainingallfamilyincidents,butithasbeenlost,Heavenknowshow!Sopardonmyurgentlyrequestingyoutotrytodiscover_LudwigMaria's_birth,aswellasthatofthepresentLudwig.ThesooneryoucansendmethecertificateofbaptismthemoreobligedshallIbe.[1]IamtoldthatyousingoneofmysongsinyourFreemasonLodge,probablytheoneinEmajor,whichIhavenotmyselfgot;sendittome,andIpromisetocompensateyouthreefoldandfourfold.[2]Thinkofmewithkindness,littleasIapparentlydeserveit.Embraceyourdearwifeandchildren,andallwhomyoulove,inthenameofyourfriend,

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:Wegelersays:--"Idiscoveredthesolutionoftheenigma(whythebaptismalcertificatewassoeagerlysought)fromaletterwrittento

methreemonthsafterwardsbymybrother-in-law,StephanvonBreuning,inwhichhesaid:'Beethoventellsmeatleastonceaweekthathemeanstowritetoyou;butIbelievehis_intendedmarriageisbrokenoff_;hethereforefeelsnoardentinclinationtothankyouforhavingprocuredhisbaptismalcertificate.'"]

[Footnote2:Beethovenwasmistaken;WegelerhadonlysuppliedothermusictothewordsofMatthisson's_OpferLied_.]

65.

TOZMESKALL.

July9,1810.

DEARZ.,--

Youareabouttotravel,andsoamIonaccountofmyhealth.Inthemeantimeallgoestopsy-turvywithme.The_Herr_[1]wantstohavemewithhim,andArtisnotlessurgentinherclaims.IampartlyinSchönbrunnandpartlyhere;everydayassailedbymessagesfromstrangersandnewacquaintances,andevenasregardsartIamoftendrivennearlydistractedbymyundeservedfame.Fortuneseeksme,andforthatveryreasonIalmostdreadsomenewcalamity.Asforyour"Iphigénie,"thefactsarethese.Ihavenotseenitforthelasttwoyearsandahalf,andhavenodoubtlent

ittosomeone;buttowhom?--thatisthequestion.Ihavesentinalldirections,andhavenotyetdiscoveredit,buthopestilltofindit.Iflost,youshallbeindemnified.Farewell,mydearZ.Itrustthatwhenwemeetagainyouwillfindthatmyarthasmadesomeprogressintheinterim.

Everremainmyfriend,asmuchasIamyours,

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:The"Herr"ishispupil,theArchdukeRudolph.]



66.

TOBETTINABRENTANO.[1]


MYDEARESTFRIEND,--

Neverwastherealovelierspringthanthisyear;Isayso,andfeelittoo,becauseitwasthenIfirstknewyou.YouhaveyourselfseenthatinsocietyIamlikeafishonthesand,whichwrithesandwrithes,butcannotgetawaytillsomebenevolentGalateacastsitbackintothemightyocean.Iwasindeedfairlystranded,dearestfriend,whensurprisedbyyouatamomentinwhichmorosenesshadentirelymasteredme;buthowquicklyitvanishedatyouraspect!Iwasatonceconsciousthatyoucamefromanotherspherethanthisabsurdworld,where,withthebestinclinations,Icannotopenmyears.Iamawretchedcreature,andyetIcomplainofothers!!Youwillforgivethisfromthegoodnessofheartthatbeamsinyoureyes,andthegoodsensemanifestedbyyourears;atleasttheyunderstandhowtoflatter,bythemodeinwhichtheylisten.Myearsare,alas!apartition-wall,throughwhichIcanwithdifficultyholdanyintercoursewithmyfellow-creatures.Otherwise,perhaps,Imighthavefeltmore

assuredwithyou;butIwasonlyconsciousofthefull,intelligentglancefromyoureyes,whichaffectedmesodeeplythatnevercanIforgetit.Mydearfriend!dearestgirl!--Art!whocomprehendsit?withwhomcanIdiscussthismightygoddess?Howprecioustomewerethefewdayswhenwetalkedtogether,or,Ishouldrathersay,corresponded!Ihavecarefullypreservedthelittlenoteswithyourclever,charming,mostcharminganswers;soIhavetothankmydefectivehearingforthegreaterpartofourfugitiveintercoursebeingwrittendown.SinceyouleftthisIhavehadsomeunhappyhours,--hoursofthedeepestgloom,whenIcoulddonothing.IwanderedforthreehoursintheSchönbrunnAlléeafteryouleftus,butno_angel_metmetheretotakepossessionofmeasyoudid.Prayforgive,mydearfriend,thisdeviationfromtheoriginalkey,butImusthavesuchintervalsasarelieftomyheart.YouhavenodoubtwrittentoGoethe

aboutme?Iwouldgladlyburymyheadinasack,sothatImightneitherseenorhearwhatgoesonintheworld,becauseIshallmeetyoutherenomore;butIshallgetaletterfromyou?Hopesustainsme,asitdoeshalftheworld;throughlifeshehasbeenmyclosecompanion,orwhatwouldhavebecomeofme?Isendyou"KennstDudasLand,"writtenwithmyownhand,asaremembranceofthehourwhenIfirstknewyou;IsendyoualsoanotherthatIcomposedsinceIbadeyoufarewell,mydearest,fairestsweetheart!

Herz,meinHerz,wassolldasgeben,Wasbedrängetdichsosehr;WelcheinneuesfremdesLeben,Icherkennedichnichtmehr.

Nowanswerme,mydearestfriend,andsaywhatistobecomeofmesincemyhearthasturnedsucharebel.Writetoyourmostfaithfulfriend,

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:ThecelebratedletterstoBettinaaregivenhereexactlyaspublishedinherbook,_IliusPamphiliusunddieAmbrosia_(Berlin,Arnim,1857)intwovolumes.Inevermyselfhadanydoubtsoftheirbeinggenuine(withtheexceptionofperhapssomewordsinthemiddleofthethirdletter),norcananyonenowdistrustthem,especiallyafterthe



publicationof_Beethoven'sLetters_.Butforthesakeofthoseforwhomtheweightofinnateconvictionisnotsufficientproof,ImayherementionthatinDecember,1864,ProfessorMoritzCarrière,inMunich,whenconversingwithmeabout_Beethoven'sLetters_,expresslyassuredmethatthesethreelettersweregenuine,andthathehadseentheminBerlinatBettinav.Arnim'sin1839,andreadthemmostattentivelyandwiththedeepestinterest.Fromtheirimportantcontents,heurgedtheirimmediatepublication;andwhenthisshortlyafterensued,nochangewhateverstruckhimashavingbeenmadeintheoriginaltext;onthecontrary,hestillperfectlyrememberedthatthemuch-disputedphraseology(andespeciallytheincidentwithGoethe)waspreciselythesameasintheoriginals.Thistestimonyseemstomethemoreweighty,asM.Carrièremustnotinsuchmattersbelookedonasanovice,butasacompetentjudge,whohascarefullystudiedallthatconcernsourliteraryheroes,andwhowouldnotpermitanythingtobefalselyimputedtoBeethovenanymorethantoGoethe.Beethoven'sbiographyis,however,theproperplacetodiscussmorecloselysuchthings,especiallyhischaracterandhisconductinthisparticularcase.Atpresentweonlyreferingeneraltermstothefirstchapterof _Beethoven'sJugend_,whichgivesallthefactsconnectedwiththeseletterstoBettinaandthefollowingones--acharacteristiclikenessofBeethoventhusimpresseditselfonthemindofthebiographer,andwasreproducedinafewboldoutlinesinhis_Biography_.Theseletterscouldnot,however,possiblybegiven_inextenso_inageneralintroductiontoacomprehensivebiography.]

67.

TOBETTINABRENTANO.

Vienna,Feb.10,1811.

DEARANDBELOVEDFRIEND,--

Ihavenowreceivedtwolettersfromyou,whilethosetoTonieshowthatyoustillrememberme,andeventookindly.Icarriedyourletteraboutwithmethewholesummer,anditoftenmademefeelveryhappy;thoughIdo

notfrequentlywritetoyou,andyouneverseeme,stillIwriteyoulettersbythousandsinmythoughts.IcaneasilyimaginewhatyoufeelatBerlininwitnessingallthenoxiousfrivolityoftheworld'srabble,[1]evenhadyounotwrittenittomeyourself.Suchpratingaboutart,andyetnoresults!!!ThebestdescriptionofthisistobefoundinSchiller'spoem"DieFlüsse,"wheretheriverSpreeissupposedtospeak.Youaregoingtobemarried,mydearfriend,orarealreadyso,andIhavehadnochanceofseeingyouevenoncepreviously.Mayallthefelicitythatmarriageeverbestowedonhusbandandwifeattendyouboth!WhatcanIsaytoyouofmyself?IcanonlyexclaimwithJohanna,"Compassionatemyfate!"IfIamsparedforsomeyearstocome,IwillthanktheOmniscient,theOmnipotent,fortheboon,asIdoforallotherwealandwoe.IfyoumentionmewhenyouwritetoGoethe,strivetofindwordsexpressiveofmy

deepreverenceandadmiration.Iamabouttowritetohimmyselfwithregardto"Egmont,"forwhichIhavewrittensomemusicsolelyfrommyloveforhispoetry,whichalwaysdelightsme.Whocanbesufficientlygratefultoagreatpoet,--themostpreciousjewelofanation!Nownomore,mydearsweetfriend!Ionlycamehomethismorningatfouro'clockfromanorgy,whereIlaughedheartily,butto-dayIfeelasifIcouldweepassadly;turbulentpleasuresalwaysviolentlyrecoilonmyspirits.AsforClemens[Brentano,herbrother],praythankhimforhiscomplaisance;withregardtotheCantata,thesubjectisnotimportantenoughforushere--itisverydifferentinBerlin;andasformyaffection,thesisterengrossessolarge



ashare,thatlittleremainsforthebrother.Willhebecontentwiththis?

Nowfarewell,mydear,dearfriend;Iimprintasorrowfulkissonyourforehead,thusimpressingmythoughtsonitaswithaseal.Writesoon,verysoon,toyourbrother,

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:Anexpressionwhich,aswellasmanyothers,henodoubtborrowedfromBettina,andintroducedtopleaseher.]

68.

TOZMESKALL.

1811.

Iamdisposedtoengageamanwhohasjustofferedmehisservices,--amusic-copyist.HisparentsliveinVienna,whichmightbeconvenientinmanyrespects,butIfirstwishtospeaktoyouabouttheterms;andasyouaredisengagedto-morrow,whichI,_alas_!ameveryday,Ibegyouwilltakecoffeewithmeintheafternoon,whenwecandiscussthematter,andthenproceedfrom_wordstodeeds_.Wehavealsothehonortoinformyou

thatweintendshortlytoconferonyousomeofthedecorationsoftheOrderofourHousehold,--thefirstclassforyourself,theothersforanyoneyouchoose,exceptapriest.Weshallexpectyouranswerearlyto-morrow.Wenowpresentyouwithsomeblotchesofink.Your

BEETHOVEN.

69.

TOZMESKALL.

1811.

MOSTHIGH-BORNOFMEN!--

Webegyoutoconfersomegoose-quillsonus;wewillinreturnsendyouawholebunchofthesamesort,thatyoumaynotbeobligedtopluckoutyourown.ItisjustpossiblethatyoumayyetreceivetheGrandCrossoftheOrderoftheVioloncello.Weremainyourgraciousandmostfriendlyofallfriends,

BEETHOVEN.

70.

TOTHEARCHDUKERUDOLPH.[1]

TheSpringof1811.

YOURROYALHIGHNESS,--

AsinspiteofeveryeffortIcanfindnocopyisttowriteinmyhouse,Isendyoumyownmanuscript;allyouhavetodoistodesireSchlemmertogetyouanefficientcopyist,whomust,however,writeouttheTrioinyour



palace,otherwisetherewouldbenosecurityagainstpiracy.Iambetter,andhopetohavethehonorofwaitingonyouinthecourseofafewdays,whenwemuststrivetomakeupforlosttime.IalwaysfeelanxiousanduneasywhenIdonotattendyourRoyalHighnessasoftenorasassiduouslyasIwish.ItiscertainlythetruthwhenIsaythatthelossismine,butItrustIshallnotsoonagainbesounwell.Begraciouslypleasedtorememberme;thetimemayyetcomewhenIshallbeabletoshowyoudoublyandtreblythatIdeservethismorethanever.

IamyourRoyalHighness'sdevotedservant,

LUDWIGV.BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:SchlemmerwasformanyyearsBeethoven'scopyist.]

71.

MYDEARFRIEND,--[1]

IhavetakenthistroubleonlythatImightfigurecorrectly,andthusbeablesometimestoleadothers.Asformistakes,Iscarcelyeverrequiredtohavethempointedouttome,havinghadfrommychildhoodsuchaquickperception,thatIexerciseditunconsciousthatitoughttobeso,orin

factcouldbeotherwise.[Footnote1:Writtenonasheetofmusic-paper(oblongfolio)numbered22,andevidentlytornoutofalargebook.Ontheotherside(21)iswritten,inBeethoven'shand,instructionsontheuseofthefourthinretardations,withfivemusicalexamples.TheleafisnodoubttornfromoneofthebooksthatBeethovenhadcompiledfromvarioustext-books,fortheinstructionoftheArchdukeRudolph.IhavethereforeplacedBeethoven'sremarkhere.]

72.

TOTHEDRAMATICPOETTREITSCHKE.

June6,1811.

DEARTREITSCHKE,--

Haveyoureadthebook,andmayIventuretohopethatyouwillbepersuadedtoundertakeit?Besogoodastogivemeananswer,asIampreventedgoingtoyoumyself.Ifyouhavealreadyreadit,thensenditbacktome,thatImayalsolookoveritagainbeforeyoubegintoworkatit.Aboveall,ifitbeyourgoodpleasurethatIshouldsoartotheskiesonthewingsofyourpoetry,Ientreatyoutoeffectthisassoonaspossible.

Yourobedientservant,

L.V.BEETHOVEN.

73.

TOZMESKALL.

Sept.10,1811.



DEARZMESKALL,--

Lettherehearsalstandoverforthepresent.Imustseemydoctoragainto-day,ofwhosebunglingIbegintotire.Thanksforyourmetronome;letustrywhetherwecanmeasureTimeintoEternitywithit,foritisso _simple_and_easilymanaged_thatthereseemstobenoimpedimenttothis!Inthemeantimewewillhaveaconferenceonthesubject.Themathematicalprecisionofclockworkisofcoursegreater;yetformerly,inwatchingthelittleexperimentsyoumadeinmypresence,Ithoughttherewassomethingworthyofnoticeinyourmetronome,andIhopeweshallsoonsucceedin _settingitthoroughlyright_.ErelongIhopetoseeyou.

Yourfriend,

BEETHOVEN.

74.

TOZMESKALL.

Oct.26,1811.

Ishallbeatthe"Swan"to-day,andhopetomeetyouthere_toacertainty_,butdon'tcometoolate.Myfootisbetter;theauthorofsomanypoetical_feet_promisesthe_head_authorasoundfootwithinaweek'stime.

75.

TOZMESKALL.

Nov.20,1811.

Wearedeucedlyobligedtoyou.Webegyoutobecarefulnottoloseyour

well-earnedfame.Youareexhortedtopursuethesamecourse,andweremainoncemoreyourdeucedlyattached

LUDWIGVANBEETHOVEN.

76.

TOZMESKALL.

Jan.19,1812.

Ishallbeatthe"Swan"to-day,dearZ.Ihave,alas!_toomuch_leisure,

andyou_none_!Your

BEETHOVEN.

77.

TOZMESKALL.[1]

1812.



CONFOUNDEDLITTLEQUONDAMMUSICALCOUNT!

Whatthedeucehasbecomeofyou?Areyoutobeatthe"Swan"to-day?No?...Yes!SeefromthisenclosurewhatIhavedoneforHungary.WhenaGermanundertakesathing,evenwithoutpledginghisword,heactsverydifferentlyfromoneofthoseHungarianCounts,suchasB.[Brunswick],whoallowedmetotravelbymyself--fromwhatpaltry,miserablemotivewhocantell?--andkeptmewaiting,thoughhedidnotwaitforme!

MyexcellentlittlequondammusicalCount,

Iamnow,asever,yourattached

BEETHÖVERL.

Returntheenclosure,forwewishtobringit,andsomethingelse,prettyforciblyunderthenoticeoftheCount.

[Footnote1:ThedateofthisandthefollowingnoteisdecidedbytheallusiontohiscompositionswrittenforHungary(Pesth).SeethesubsequentlettertoVarenna.]

78.TOZMESKALL.

Youaresummonedtoappearto-dayatthe"Swan;"Brunswickalsocomes.Ifyoudonotappear,youarehenceforthexcludedfromallthatconcernsus.Excuses_perexcellentiam_cannotbeaccepted.Obedienceisenjoined,knowingthatweareactingforyourbenefit,andthatourmotiveistoguardyouagainsttemptationsandfaithlessness_perexcellentiam--dixi_.

BEETHOVEN.

79.

TOZMESKALL.

DEARZMESKALL,--

Thewell-knownwatchmakerwholivesclosetotheFreiungistocallonyou.Iwantafirst-raterepeater,forwhichheasksfortyducats.Asyoulikethatkindofthing,Ibegyouwillexertyourselfonmybehalf,andselectareallygoodwatchforme.

Withthemostenthusiasticadmirationforamanlikeyourself,whoissoontogivemeanopportunityofdisplayinginhisfavormyparticular

knowledgeofhorn-playing,Iamyour

LUDWIGVANBEETHOVEN.

80.

TOKAMMERPROCURATORVARENNA,--GRATZ.[1]

1812.



Ifthewishtobenefitthepoorwerenotsoevidentinyourletter,Ishouldhavefeltnotalittleoffendedbyyouraccompanyingyourrequesttomebytheofferofpayment.Frommychildhood,whenevermyartcouldbeserviceabletopoorsufferinghumanity,Ihaveneverallowedanyothermotivetoinfluenceme,andneverrequiredanythingbeyondtheheartfeltgratificationthatitalwayscausedme.WiththisyouwillreceiveanOratorio--(A),theperformanceofwhichoccupieshalfanevening,alsoanOvertureandaFantasiawithChorus--(B).Ifinyourbenevolentinstitutionyoupossessa_dépôt_forsuchthings,Ibegyouwilldepositthesethreeworksthere,asamarkofmysympathyforthedestitute;tobeconsideredastheirproperty,andtobegivenatanyconcertsintendedfortheirsolebenefit.Inadditiontothese,youwillreceiveanIntroductiontothe"RuinsofAthens,"thescoreofwhichshallbewrittenoutforyouassoonaspossible.LikewiseaGrandOvertureto"Ungarn'sersteWohlthäter"[Hungary'sFirstBenefactors].

BothformpartoftwoworksthatIwrotefortheHungariansattheopeningoftheirnewtheatre[inPesth].Praygiveme,however,yourwrittenassurancethattheseworksshallnotbeperformedelsewhere,astheyarenotpublished,norlikelytobesoforsometimetocome.YoushallreceivethelatterGrandOvertureassoonasitisreturnedtomefromHungary,whichitwillbeinthecourseofafewdays.

TheengravedFantasiawithChoruscouldnodoubtbeexecutedbyalady,anamateur,mentionedtomeherebyProfessorSchneller.[2]ThewordsaftertheChorusNo.4,inCmajor,werealteredbythepublishers,andarenowquitecontrarytothemusicalexpression;thosewrittenin_pencil_,therefore,onthemusicmustbesung.IfyoucanmakeuseoftheOratorio,Icansendyou_allthepartswrittenout_,sothattheoutlaymaybelessforthepoor.Writetomeaboutthis.

Yourobedient

LUDWIGVANBEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:ThecorrespondencewithVarenna,consistingoffourteen

lettersandfournotes,waspurchasedsomeyearsagobyacollectorofautographsinLeipzig,andsoldagainbypublicauction,probablytodifferentpersons.Itwouldbelikepursuingleavesscatteredbythewindtotrytorecovertheseletters.Thoseheregivenhaveforthemostpartappearedinnewspapers;Icannot,therefore,beresponsibleforthetext,fartherthantheirpublicationgoes,which,however,hasevidentlybeenconductedbyacleverhand.Thedateofthefirstletteristobegleanedfromthesecond,andwealsolearnfromthemthat_TheRuinsofAthens_and _KingStephen_(oratalleventstheOverture)werealreadyfinishedinJanuary,1812.]

[Footnote2:This_dilettante_wasMdlle.MarieKoschak,subsequentlythewifeofDr.Pachler,anadvocateinGratz,fromwhomtwolettersaregiven

bySchindlerofthedatesofAugust15th,1825,andNovember5th,1826,inwhichsheinvitesBeethoventovisitherinGratz.SchindlerconsidersasapplicabletothisladythewordsofanoteinBeethoven'swritingofwhichhehasgivenafac-simileinhis_Biography_,I.95;thedate1817or1818.Theyareasfollows:--"Lovealone,yes!lovealonecanmakeyourlifehappier.OGod!grantthatImayatlastfindherwhocanstrengthenmeinvirtue,whomIcanlegitimatelycallmyown.OnJuly27th,whenshedrovepastmeinBaden,sheseemedtogazeatme."ThisladyalsoplaysafriendlypartinFranzSchubert's_Life_.Seeher_Biography_byDr.Kreissle.]



81.

TOZMESKALL.

Feb.2,1812.

Bynomeans_extraordinary_,but_veryordinary_menderofpens!whosetalenthasfailedonthisoccasion(forthoseIsendrequiretobefreshmended),whendoyouintendatlasttocastoffyourfetters?--when?Youneverforamomentthinkofme;accursedtomeislifeamidthisAustrianbarbarism.Ishallgonowchieflytothe"Swan,"asinothertavernsIcannotdefendmyselfagainstintrusion.Farewell!thatis,_fareaswell_ asIwishyoutodowithout

Yourfriend,

BEETHOVEN.

Mostwonderfulofmen!Webegthatyourservantwillengageapersontofitupmyapartment;asheisacquaintedwiththelodgings,hecanfixtheproperpriceatonce.Dothissoon,youCarnivalscamp!!!!!!!

Theenclosednoteisatleastaweekold.

82.

TOZMESKALL.

Feb.8,1812.

Mostextraordinaryandfirstandforemostmanofthependulumintheworld,andwithoutalevertoo!!!

Iammuchindebtedtoyouforhavingimpartedtomesomeshareofyour

motivepower.Iwishtoexpressmygratitudeinperson,andthereforeinviteyouthismorningtocometothe"Swan,"--atavern,thenameofwhichitselfshowsthatitisafittingplacewhensuchasubjectisinquestion,

Yoursever,

BEETHOVEN.

83.

TOVARENNA,--GRATZ.

Vienna,Feb.8,1812.

HerrRettichhasalreadygotthepartsoftheOratorio,andwhenyounolongerrequirethemIbegyouwillsendthembacktome.Itisnotprobablethatanythingiswanting,buteveninthatcase,asyouhavethescore,youcaneasilyremedythis.IonlyyesterdayreceivedtheOverturesfromHungary,andshallhavethemcopiedandforwardedtoyouassoonaspossible.IlikewisesendaMarchwithavocalChorus,alsofromthe"RuinsofAthens."Altogetheryouwillnowhavesufficienttofillupthetime.



Asthesepiecesareonlyinmanuscript,IshallletyouknowatthetimeIsendthemwhatprecautionsIwishyoutotakewithregardtotheOverturesandtheMarchwithChorus.

AsIdonotpublishanynewworkuntilayearafteritscomposition,and,whenIdoso,amobligedinvariablytogiveawrittenassurancetothepublisherthatnooneisinpossessionofit,youcanyourselfperceivethatImustcarefullyguardagainstanypossiblecontingencyorcasualtyastothesepieces.Imust,however,assureyouthatIshallalwaysbedisposedtoshowthewarmestzealinaidofyourcharity,andIherepledgemyselftosendyoueveryyearworksthatexistsolelyinmanuscript,orcompositionswrittenexpresslyforthischaritablepurpose.Ibegyouwillalsoletmeknowwhatyourfutureplansarewithregardtoyourinstitution,thatImayactaccordingly.

Farewell!Iremain,withthehighestconsideration,

Yourobedient

LUDWIGVANBEETHOVEN.

84.

TOZMESKALL.[1]Feb.19,1812.

DEARZ.,--

IonlyyesterdayreceivedthewritteninformationthattheArchdukepayshisshareinthenewpaper-moneyofthefullvalue[_Einlösungsschein_].Ibegyouwillwriteoutforme,asnearlyasyoucan,thesubstanceofwhatyousaidonSunday,andwhichwethoughtitadvisabletosendtotheothertwo.IamofferedacertificatethattheArchdukeistopayin _Einlösungsschein_,butIthinkthisunnecessary,moreespeciallyasthepeopleaboutCourt,inspiteofalltheirapparentfriendshipforme,

declarethatmydemandsare_notjust_!!!!OHeaven!aidmeinenduringthis!IamnoHercules,tohelpAtlasincarryingtheworld,ortostrivetodosoinhisplace.ItwasonlyyesterdaythatIheardtheparticularsofthehandsomemannerinwhichBaronvonKrafthadjudgedandspokenofmetoZisius!Butnevermind,dearZ.!Myenduranceoftheseshamefulattackscannotcontinuemuchlonger;persecutedartwilleverywherefindanasylum--Daedalus,thoughimprisonedinalabyrinth,foundwingstocarryhimaloft.Oh!Itooshallfindwings!

Yoursever,

BEETHOVEN.

Ifyouhavetime,sendmethismorningthedraftofthememorial;--probablyfornothing,andtoreceivenothing!somuchtimeisalreadylost,andonlytobekeptinsuspensebycivilwords!

[Footnote1:TheFinancePatentappearedinAustriain1811,bywhichthevalueofmoneywasdepreciatedbyafifth.ThisalsoaffectedthesalarythatBeethovendrewfromtheArchdukeRudolph,PrinceKinsky,andPrinceLobkowitz.Thefirstofthesegentlemenpaidhisfullsharein _Einlösungsschein_.Lobkowitz,attherequestofBeethoven,soonafterdidthesame;withKinsky'ssharealonedifficultiesarosesubsequently,owing



tohisdeath.]

85.

TOVARENNA.

Lent,1812.

Inspiteofmyanxietytoservethecauseofyourcharity,Ihavebeenquiteunabletodoso.Ihavenocopyistofmyowntowriteformeasformerly,andthelimitedtimerendersitimpossibleformetodosomyself;thusIamobligedtohaverecoursetostrangersascopyists.OneofthesepromisedtowriteouttheOvertures,&c.,&c.,foryou;butPassionWeekintervening,whentherearesomanyconcerts,preventedhisbeingabletokeephisword,inspiteofeveryeffortonmypart.EveniftheOverturesandtheMarchwithChorusweretranscribed,itwouldnotbepossibletosendthembythispost,andifwewaitforthenext,themusicwillarrivetoolateforEasterSunday.Letmeknowifthereareanymeansyoucouldadopttogainalittlemoretime,oranychanceopportunityofsendingtheseworkstoyou,andIwilldoallthatliesinmypowertoaidthecauseofyourcharity.

Iam,withesteem,yoursobediently,

LUDWIGVANBEETHOVEN.

86.


1812.

YOURIMPERIALHIGHNESS,--

IwasmuchvexednottoreceiveY.I.H.'smessagetocometoyoutillvery

lateyesterdayevening--indeednearlyateleveno'clock.Contrarytomyusualcustom,Ididnotgohomeatallduringtheafternoon,thefineweatherhavingtemptedmetospendthewholeafternooninwalking,andtheeveningattheBanda,"aufderWieden,"andthusIwasnotawareofyourwishtillIreturnedhome.Inthemeantime,wheneverY.I.H.desiresit,Iamreadyatanyhourormomenttoplacemyselfatyourdisposal.Ithereforeawaityourgraciouscommands.

IamyourImperialHighness'smostobedient

LUDWIGVANBEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:Thedate1812ismarkedonthesheetbyanotherhand,andthe

closeofthesecondnoteprovesthatitwasatthecommencementofthisyear.]

87.

TOTHEARCHDUKERUDOLPH.

1812.



YOURIMPERIALHIGHNESS,--

Iwasunabletillto-day,whenIleavemybedforthefirsttime,toansweryourgraciousletter.Itwillbeimpossibleformetowaitonyouto-morrow,butperhapsthedayafter.Ihavesufferedmuchduringthelastfewdays,andImaysaytwo-foldfromnotbeinginaconditiontodevoteagreatpartofmytimetoyou,accordingtomyheartfeltwish.Ihopenow,however,tohaveclearedoffallscoresforspringandsummer(Imeanastohealth).

IamyourImperialHighness'smostobedientservant,

LUDWIGVANBEETHOVEN.

88.

TOVARENNA,--GRATZ.

Vienna,May8,1812.

SIR,--

Beingstillfarfromwell,andmuchoccupied,Ihavebeenunabletoreply

toyourletters.HowintheworlddidsuchanunfoundedideaeveroccurtoyouasthatIwasdispleased?Itwouldcertainlyhavebeenbetterhadyoureturnedthemusicassoonasithadbeenperformed;foratthatperiodIcouldhaveproducedithere,whereasnow,unluckily,itcomestoolate;butIonlysay_unluckily_becauseitpreventsmybeingabletosparetheworthyladiestheexpensesofcopying.AtanyothertimeIwouldonnoaccounthaveallowedthemtopayforwritingouttheworks,butitsohappensthatatthismomentIamvisitedwitheverykindof_contretemps_,soIcannotavoiddoingso.PossiblyHerrO.,althoughwiththebestintentions,hasdelayedinformingyouofthis,whichobligedmetoapplytohimforrepaymentoftheexpensesofcopying;perhaps,too,inmyhaste,Ididnotexpressmyselfdistinctly.Youcannow,esteemedsir,havetheOvertureandtheChorusagainifyourequirethem.

Ifeelconvincedthatinanyeventyouwillpreventmyconfidencebeingabused;inthemeantimeyoumaykeeptheOvertureontheconditionsIhavestated.IfIfindthatIamabletopayforthecopying,Iwillredeemitformyownuse.

ThescoreoftheOratorioisagift,andalsotheOvertureto"Egmont."KeepthepartsoftheOratoriobesideyoutillyoucanhaveitperformed.

SelectwhateveryouchoosefortheconcertwhichIhearyounowintendtogive,andifyoudecideontheChorusandtheOverture,theyshallbeforwardedtoyouatonce.Forthefutureconcert,forthebenefitofthevenerableUrsulines,Ipromiseyouanentirelynewsymphonyatallevents,

andperhapsalsoaworkofsomeimportanceforvoices,andasIhavenowafavorableopportunity,thecopyingshallnotcostyouafarthing.Myjoywouldbebeyondallboundsiftheconcertweretobesuccessful,andIcouldspareyouallexpense;--atallevents,takemygood-willforgranted.

Remembermetotheadmirableteachersofthechildren,andsaytothemthatIshedtearsofjoyatthehappyresultofmypoorgood-will,andthatsofarasmyhumblecapabilitiescanservethem,theyshallalwaysfindinmethewarmestsympathy.



Mycordialthanksforyourinvitation;IwouldfainbecomeacquaintedwiththeinterestingsceneryofStyria,andpossiblyImayonedayenjoythatpleasure.Farewell!Iheartilyrejoiceinhavingfoundinyouafriendtothepoorandneedy,andamalwaysyourstocommand.

LUDWIGVANBEETHOVEN,M.P.

89.

TOJOSEPHFREIHERRVONSCHWEIGER,CHAMBERLAINOFTHEARCHDUKERUDOLPH.[1]

1812.

Themostinsignificantofmortalshasjustbeentowaitonhisgraciousmaster,whenhefoundeverythingclosed;sohecamehere,whereindeedallwas_open_,butnoonetobefoundexceptthetrustyservant.Ihadaheavypacketofmusicwithme,inordertoensureagoodmusicaleveningbeforeweparted;butinvain.Malfatti[2]isresolvedthatIshallgotoTöplitz,whichisanythingbutagreeabletome.As,however,Imustobey,Ihopeatleastthatmygraciousmasterwillnotenjoyhimselfquitesomuchwithoutme._Ovanitas!_foritisnothingelse.BeforeIsetoffforTöplitzIwilleithergotoBadentoseeyouorwrite.Farewell!Praypresentmyhomagetomygraciousmaster,andcontinueyourregardfor

Yourfriend,

[K.]BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:ThejourneytoTöplitztookplaceintheyear1812.]

[Footnote2:AverycelebratedphysicianinViennaatthattime,consultedbyBeethoven.]

90.

TOVARENNA,--GRATZ.

Töplitz,July19,1812.

Mythankshavebeentoolongdelayedforallthedaintieswhichtheworthyladiessentformyenjoyment;beingconstantlyillinVienna,Iwasatlastforcedtotakerefugehere.

However,betterlatethannever;soIbegyouwillsayallsortsofkindthingsinmynametotheadmirableUrsulineladies,thoughIdidnotdeservesomuchgratitude;indeeditisratherformetothankHimwhoenablesmetorendermyartoccasionallyusefultoothers.Whenyounextwishtomakeuseofmypoorabilitiesforthebenefitofthevenerable

ladies,youhaveonlytowritetome.

Anewsymphonyisnowreadyforyou,andastheArchdukeRudolphhashaditcopiedout,itwillcostyounothing.PerhapsImayoneofthesedaysbeabletosendyousomethingvocal.Ionlywishandhopethatyouwillnotascribemyanxietytoservethesevenerableladiestoacertaindegreeofvanityordesireforfame,asthiswouldgrievemeexceedingly.Ifthesegoodladieswishtodomeanyserviceinreturn,Ibegtheywillincludemewiththeirpupilsintheirpiousorisons.Iremain,withesteem,



Yourfriend,

LUDWIGVANBEETHOVEN.

Ishallremainhereforsomeweeks;soifthereisanyoccasiontowrite,addresstomehere.

91.

WRITTENINTHEALBUMOFTHESINGER,MDME.AUGUSTESEBALD.

Töplitz,August8,1812.

LUDWIGVANBEETHOVEN,

Whoevenifyouwould,Forgetyounevershould.

92.

TOH.R.HIGHNESSTHEARCHDUKERUDOLPH.

Franzensbrunn,Aug.12,1812.ItwasmyboundendutylongagotohaverecalledmyselftoY.R.H.'srecollection,butpartlymyoccupationsandthestateofmyhealth,aswellasmyowninsignificance,mademereluctanttodoso.ImissedY.R.H.byonenightonlyinPrague;forwhenproceedingtopaymyrespectstoyouinthemorning,Ifoundyouhadsetofftheverynightbefore.InTöplitzIheardamilitarybandfourtimesaday,--theonlymusicalreportwhichIcangiveyou.IwasagreatdealwithGoethe.[1]MyphysicianStaudenheim,however,orderedmeofftoCarlsbad,[2]andfromthencehere,andprobablyIshallhavetogobacktoTöplitzfromthis.Whatflights!Andyetitseemsverydoubtfulwhetheranyimprovementinmyconditionhashithertotakenplace.IreceivethebestaccountsofY.R.H.'shealth,andalsoof

thepersistentdevotionyouexhibittowardsthemusicalMuse.Y.R.H.hasnodoubtheardofaconcertthatIgaveforthebenefitofthesufferersbyfireintheStadtBaden,[3]assistedbyHerrPolledro.[4]Thereceiptswerenearly1000florinsW.W.,andifIhadnotbeenrestrictedinmyarrangementswemighteasilyhavetaken2000florins.Itwasliterallya _poorconcertforthepoor_.Icouldonlyfindatthepublisher'sheresomeofmyearliersonataswithviolinaccompaniments,andasPolledrohadsethisheartonthese,IwasobligedtocontentmyselfwithplayinganoldSonata.[5]Theentireconcertconsistedofatrio,inwhichPolledroplayed,mySonatawithviolin,thenagainsomethingwasplayedbyPolledro,and,lastly,Iextemporized.MeanwhileIdosincerelyrejoicethatbythismeanssomethinghasfallentotheshareofthepoor_Badeners_.Praydeigntoacceptmybestwishesforyourwelfare,andmyentreatythatyouwill

sometimesthinkofme.

[K.]

[Footnote1:BeethovenspeaksverybrieflyofhismeetingwithGoethe.Goetheinhis_Tag-undJahrschriften_of1812makesnoallusiontoBeethovenduringhisstayatTöplitz.Itdoesnot,therefore,appearthateitherofthesemaster-mindsfoundanyparticularpleasureineachotherwhentheymetpersonally.Beethoven,indeed,dedicatedto"theimmortalGoethe"(1812)hiscompositionthe_MeeresstilleundglücklicheFahrt_,but



onlywroteoncetohimin1823toobtainasubscriptionfromtheGrandDukeofWeimarforhisGrandMass,andreceivednoanswerfromGoethe.InthecompleteeditionofGoethe'sworksBeethoven'snameisonlyoncementionedbyGoethe,whenhereferstohisfuneralobsequies.]

[Footnote2:Dr.Staudenheimwas,likeMalfatti,oneofthemostcelebratedphysiciansinVienna.Beethoven,too,waswellacquaintedwithStaudenheim,butinhisregimenheneitherfollowedtheprescriptionsofStaudenheimnorofMalfatti.]

[Footnote3:TheStadtBaden,nearVienna,hadbeenvisitedonJuly16thbyamostdestructiveconflagration.]

[Footnote4:Giov.Batt.Polledro,KapellmeisterinTurin,born1776,travelledthroughGermanyasaviolinistfrom1809to1812.HegaveaconcertinViennainMarch,1812.]

[Footnote5:TheviolinSonatawithpianofortewasprobablyOp.47(composedin1803andpublishedin1805,accordingtoThayer,No.111),oroneofhisearliercompositions,Op.30,or24,or23.]

93.

TOBETTINAVONARNIM.Töplitz,August15,1812.

MYMOSTDEARKINDFRIEND,--

Kingsandprincescanindeedcreateprofessorsandprivy-councillors,andconfertitlesanddecorations,buttheycannotmakegreatmen,--spiritsthatsoarabovethebaseturmoilofthisworld.Theretheirpowersfail,andthisitisthatforcesthemtorespectus.[1]WhentwopersonslikeGoetheandmyselfmeet,thesegrandeescannotfailtoperceivewhatsuchasweconsidergreat.Yesterday,onourwayhome,wemetthewholeImperialfamily;wesawthemcomingsomewayoff,whenGoethewithdrewhisarmfrom

mine,inordertostandaside;and,saywhatIwould,Icouldnotprevailonhimtomakeanotherstepinadvance.Ipresseddownmyhatmorefirmlyonmyhead,buttonedupmygreat-coat,and,crossingmyarmsbehindme,Imademywaythroughthethickestportionofthecrowd.Princesandcourtiersformedalaneforme;ArchdukeRudolphtookoffhishat,andtheEmpressbowedtomefirst.Thesegreatonesoftheearth_knowme_.Tomyinfiniteamusement,IsawtheprocessiondefilepastGoethe,whostoodasidewithhishatoff,bowingprofoundly.Iafterwardstookhimsharplytotaskforthis;Igavehimnoquarter,andupbraidedhimwithallhissins,especiallytowardsyou,mydearfriend,aswehadjustbeenspeakingofyou.Heavens!ifIcouldhavelivedwithyouas_he_did,believemeIshouldhaveproducedfargreaterthings.Amusicianisalsoapoet,hetoocanfeelhimselftransportedintoabrighterworldbyapairoffineeyes,

whereloftierspiritssportwithhimandimposeheavytasksonhim.WhatthoughtsrushedintomymindwhenIfirstsawyouintheObservatoryduringarefreshingMayshower,sofertilizingtomealso![2]Themostbeautifulthemesstolefromyoureyesintomyheart,whichshallyetenchanttheworldwhenBeethovennolonger_directs_.IfGodvouchsafestograntmeafewmoreyearsoflife,Imustthenseeyouoncemore,mydear,mostdearfriend,forthevoicewithin,towhichIalwayslisten,demandsthis.Spiritsmayloveoneanother,andIshalleverwooyours.Yourapprovalisdearertomethanallelseintheworld.ItoldGoethemysentimentsastotheinfluencepraisehasovermenlikeus,andthatwedesireourequalsto



listentouswiththeirunderstanding.Emotionsuitswomenonly;(forgiveme!)musicoughttostrikefirefromthesoulofaman.Ah!mydeargirl,howlonghaveourfeelingsbeenidenticalonallpoints!!!Thesolerealgoodissomebrightkindlyspirittosympathizewithus,whomwethoroughlycomprehend,andfromwhomweneednothideourthoughts._Hewhowishestoappearsomething,mustinrealitybesomething._Theworldmustacknowledgeus,itisnotalwaysunjust;butforthisIcarenot,havingahigherpurposeinview.IhopetogetaletterfromyouinVienna;writetomesoonandfully,foraweekhenceIshallbethere.TheCourtleavesthisto-morrow,andto-daytheyhaveanotherperformance.TheEmpresshasstudiedherpartthoroughly.TheEmperorandtheDukewishedmetoplaysomeofmyownmusic,butIrefused,fortheyarebothinfatuatedwith _Chineseporcelain_.Alittleindulgenceisrequired,forreasonseemstohavelostitsempire;butIdonotchoosetoministertosuchperversefolly--Iwillnotbeapartytosuchabsurddoingstopleasethoseprinceswhoareconstantlyguiltyofeccentricitiesofthissort.Adieu!adieu!dearone;yourletterlayallnightnextmyheart,andcheeredme.Musicianspermitthemselvesgreatlicense._Heavens!howIloveyou!_Yourmostfaithfulfriendanddeafbrother,

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:FräuleinGiannatasiodelRio,inthejournalshesenttothe _GrenzBoten_in1857,statesthatBeethovenoncedeclared,"Itisvery

pleasanttoassociatewiththegreatoftheearth,butonemustpossesssomequalitywhichinspiresthemwithrespect."]

[Footnote2:AccordingtoBettina(see_Goethe'sCorrespondencewithaChild_,II.193),theirfirstacquaintancewasmadeinBeethoven'sapartments.]

94.

TOPRINCESSKINSKY,--PRAGUE

Vienna,Dec.30,1812.

YOURHIGHNESS,--

Thedreadfuleventwhichdeprivedyouofyourhusband,PrincevonKinsky,snatchinghimfromhisfather-landandfromallthosewholovehim,[1]aswellasfrommanywhomhegenerouslysupported,fillingeveryheartcapableofappreciatinggoodnessandgreatnesswiththedeepestsorrow,affectedmealsointhemostprofoundandpainfuldegree.Thesterndutyofself-interestcompelsmetolaybeforeyourHighnessahumblepetition,thereasonablepurportofwhichmay,Ihope,pleadmyexcuseforintrudingonyourHighnessatatimewhensomanyaffairsofimportanceclaimyourattention.PermitmetostatethemattertoyourHighness.

Y.H.isnodoubtawarethatwhenIreceivedasummonstoWestphaliaintheyear1809,hisHighnessPrincevonKinsky,yourlatehusband,togetherwithhisI.H.ArchdukeRudolphandH.H.thePrincevonLobkowitz,offeredtosettleonmeforlifeanannualincomeof4000gulden,providedIdeclinedtheproposalinquestion,anddeterminedtoremaininAustria.AlthoughthissumwasbynomeansinproportiontothatsecuredtomeinWestphalia,stillmypredilectionforAustria,aswellasmysenseofthismostgenerousproposal,inducedmetoacceptitwithouthesitation.ThesharecontributedbyH.H.PrinceKinskyconsistedof1800florins,whichIhavereceivedbyquarterlyinstalmentssince1809fromthePrince'sprivypurse.



Thoughsubsequentoccurrencespartiallydiminishedthissum,Irestedsatisfied,tilltheappearanceoftheFinancePatent,reducingbank-notesinto_EinlösungSchein_.IappliedtoH.I.H.theArchdukeRudolphtorequestthattheportionoftheannuitycontributedbyH.I.H.shouldinfuturebepaidin_EinlösungSchein_.Thiswasatoncegranted,andIreceivedawrittenassurancetothateffectfromH.I.H.PrincevonLobkowitzagreedtothesamewithregardtohisshare,--700florins[seeNo.84].H.H.PrincevonKinskybeingatthattimeinPrague,IaddressedmyrespectfulpetitiontohimlastMay,throughHerrVarnhagenvonEnse,anofficerintheVogelsangRegiment,thathisHighness'scontributiontomysalary--1800florins--shouldbepaidliketherestin_EinlösungSchein_.HerrvonVarnhagenwroteasfollows,andtheoriginaloftheletterisstillextant:--

"IhadyesterdaythedesiredinterviewwithPrinceKinsky.WiththehighestpraiseofBeethoven,heatonceaccededtohisdemand,andispreparedtopayupthearrears,andalsoallfuturesumsfromthedateofthe _EinlösungSchein_,inthatcurrency.Thecashierherehasreceivedthenecessaryinstructions,andBeethovencandrawforthewholesumonhiswaythroughPrague,or,ifheprefersit,inVienna,assoonasthePrincereturnsthere.

"Prague,June9,1812."

WhenpassingthroughPraguesomeweeksafterwards,ItooktheopportunityofwaitingonthePrince,andreceivedfromhimthefullestconfirmationofthispromise.H.H.likewiseassuredmethatheentirelyadmittedtheproprietyofmydemand,andconsidereditquitereasonable.AsIcouldnotremaininPraguetillthisaffairwasfinallysettled,H.H.wassokindastomakemeapaymentofsixtyducatsonaccount,which,accordingtoH.H.'scalculation,weregoodfor600florinsViennacurrency.ThearrearsweretobepaiduponmyreturntoVienna,andanordergiventothecashiertopaymysalaryinfuturein_EinlösungSchein_.SuchwasH.H.'spleasure.MyillnessincreasinginTöplitz,IwasobligedtoremaintherelongerthanIoriginallyintended.InthemonthofSeptemberIthereforeaddressedtoH.H.,whowastheninVienna,throughoneofmyfriendshere,HerrOliva,awrittenmemorial,claiminghispromise,whenH.H.graciouslyrepeatedto

thisfriendtheassurancehehadalreadygivenme,addingthatinthecourseofafewdayshewouldgivethenecessaryinstructionsonthesubjecttohiscashier.

AshorttimeafterwardsheleftVienna.WhenIarrivedthere,IinquiredfromthePrince'ssecretarywhetherH.H.hadgivendirectionsaboutmysalarybeforeleavingVienna,when,tomysurprise,IwastoldthatH.H.haddonenothinginthematter.

MytitletotheliquidationofmyclaimisprovedbythetestimonyoftheHerrenvonVarnhagenandOliva,towhomH.H.spokeonthesubject,reiteratinghisconsent.Ifeelconvincedthattheillustriousheirsandfamilyofthisprincewillinthesamespiritofbenevolenceandgenerosity

strivetofulfilhisintentions.IthereforeconfidentlyplaceinY.H.'shandsmyrespectfulpetition,viz.,"topayupthearrearsofmysalaryin _EinlösungSchein_,andtoinstructyourcashiertotransmitmetheamountinfuture,inthesamecurrency."Relyingonyoursenseofjusticeaccordingmeafavorabledecision,IremainY.H.'s

Mostobedientservant,

LUDWIGVANBEETHOVEN.



[Footnote1:PrinceJosefFerdinandKinsky,bornDecember,1781,andkilledbyafallfromhishorse,November3,1812.]

95.


1813.[1]

IhavebeenfarfromwellsincelastSunday,buthavesufferedmoreinmindthaninbody.Ibegyourforgivenessathousandtimesfornothavingsoonersentmyapologies;eachdayIhadthestrongestinclinationtowaitonyou,butHeavenknowsthatinspiteofthebestwillthatIalwaysentertainforthebestofmastersIwasunabletodoso,distressingasitistomenottohaveitinmypowertosacrificealltohimforwhomIcherishthehighestesteem,love,andveneration.Y.R.H.wouldperhapsactwiselyinmakingapauseatpresentwiththeLobkowitzconcerts;eventhemostbrillianttalentmayloseitseffectbytoogreatfamiliarity.

[K.]

[Footnote1:PrinceFranzJosefLobkowitzdiedDecember25th,1816.Hismusicalmeetingswerecertainlycontinuedtill1813,orlonger.]

96.


1813.[1]

Atearlydawnto-morrowthecopyistshallbeginthelastmovement.AsIaminthemeantimewritingseveralotherworks,Ididnothurrymyselfmuchwiththislastmovementmerelyforthesakeofpunctuality,especiallyasImustwritethismoredeliberately,withaviewtoRode's[2]playing;welikequick,full-tonedpassagesinour_Finales_,whichdonotsuitR.,and

thisrathercrampsme.Atallevents,allissuretogowellnextTuesday.IverymuchdoubtwhetherIshallbeabletopresentmyselfatY.R.H.'sonthatevening,inspiteofmyzealinyourservice;buttomakeupforthis,Imeantocometoyouto-morrowforenoonandto-morrowafternoon,thatImayentirelyfulfilthewishesofmyillustriouspupil.

[K.]

[Footnote1:1813.January-February.]

[Footnote2:PierreRode,theviolinist,arrivedinViennainJanuary,1813,andgaveaconcertintheRedoutensaalonFebruary6th,butdidnotgiveuniversalsatisfaction(_A.M.Z._,1813,p.114),andasecondconcert

thathehadprojecteddoesnotappeartohavetakenplace.HeplayedinGratzonFebruary20thand27th.ItseemsthatRodewastoplaywithBeethovenattheArchdukeRudolph's,forwhichoccasionBeethovenpreparedacompositionforthemboth.WasthistheSonataforpianoforteandviolin,Op.36,whichheafterwardsdedicatedtotheArchduke?ThayerstatesthatitwaswrittenbyBeethovenin1810,andsoldtothemusic-publisherSteinerinViennainApril,1815.Noothercompositionfortheviolinandpianoforteissolikelytobetheoneasthis.Itis,however,amistakeinthe_BibliothèqueUniverselle_,tomexxxvi.p.210,tostatethatBeethovenduringRode'sstayinViennacomposedthe"délicieuseRomance"whichwas



playedwithsomuchexpressionbyDeBaillotontheviolin.ThereareonlytwoRomancesknownfortheviolinbyBeethoven,theoneinGmajor,Op.40,intheyear1803,andthesecondinFmajor,Op.50,publishedin1805.(Thayer,102and104.)]

97.


1813.

Ihadjustgoneoutyesterdaywhenyourgraciousletterreachedme.Asformyhealth,itisprettymuchthesame,particularlyasmoralcausesaffectit,whichdonotseemlikelytoberemoved;particularlyasIcanhaverecoursetonoonebutmyselfforaid,andcanfindhelpinmyownheadalone;andmoreparticularlystill,becauseinthesedaysneitherwords,norhonor,norwrittenpledges,seembindingonanyone.Asformyoccupations,Ihavecometoanendwithsomeofthem,and,evenwithoutyourgraciousinvitation,Iintendedtoappearattheusualhourto-day.WithregardtoRode[seeNo.96],IbegY.R.H.tobesogoodastoletmehavethepartbythebearerofthis,andIwillsendittohimatonce,withapolitenotefromme._Hecertainlywillnottakeamissmysendinghimthepart.Oh!certainlynot!WouldtoHeaventhatIwereobligedtoask

hisforgivenessonthisaccount!forinthatcasethingswouldreallybeinabetterposition._IsityourpleasurethatIshouldcometoyouthiseveningatfiveo'clockasusual,ordoesY.R.H.desireanotherhour?Ishallendeavortoarrangeaccordingly,andpunctuallytofulfilyourwishes.

[K.]

98.

TOPRINCESSKINSKY.

Vienna,Feb.12,1813.

YOURHIGHNESS!--

Youweresograciousastodeclarewithregardtothesalarysettledonmebyyourdeceasedhusband,thatyousawtheproprietyofmyreceivingitinViennacurrency,butthattheauthorityofthecourtoflawwhichhasassumedtheguardianshipoftheestatemustfirstbeobtained.UndertheconvictionthattheauthoritieswhorepresenttheirprincelywardscouldnotfailtobeinfluencedbythesamemotivesthatactuatedthelatePrinceinhisconducttowardsme,IthinkIamjustifiedinexpectingtheratificationofmyclaimfromtheaforesaidcourt,asIcanprove,bythetestimonyofwell-known,respectable,anduprightmen,thepromiseand

intentionsofH.H.inmybehalf,whichcannotfailtobebindingonhisheirsandchildren.If,therefore,theproofssubmittedshouldevenbefounddeficientinlegalformality,Icannotdoubtthatthiswantwillbesuppliedbythenoblemodeofthinkingofthisillustrioushouse,andbytheirowninclinationtogenerousactions.

Possiblyanotherquestionmayatpresentarisefromtheconditionoftheinheritance,whichisnodoubtheavilyburdened,bothowingtothemelancholyandsuddendeathofthelatePrince,andbythestateofthetimes,whichrendersitequallyjustandindispensabletohusbandcarefully



allpossibleresources.Onthisaccountitisfarfrommywishtoclaimmorethanisabsolutelynecessaryformyownlivelihood,andgroundedonthecontractitself,--thelegalityofsuchaclaimontheheirsofthelatePrincenotbeinginanywaydisputed.

Ibeg,then,thatY.H.willbepleasedtodirectthearrearsofmysalary,duesincethe1stSeptember,1811,calculatedinViennacurrency,inaccordancewiththescaleofthecontract,makinginW.W.1088florins42kreuzers,tobepaid,and_intheinterim_,thequestionwhetherthissalaryoughttobepaidinViennacurrencycanbedeferreduntiltheaffairsaresettled,whenthesubjectisagainbroughtbeforethetrustees,andmyclaimsadmittedtobejustbytheirconsentandauthority.ThelatePrincehavinggivenmesixtyducatsmerelyonaccountofmysalary,whichwastobepaidbyagreementinViennacurrency,andasthisagreement(aseveryintelligentmanwillinformY.H.)mustbeacceptedtoitsfullextent,oratalleventsnotcausemeloss,itfollowsasamatterofcoursethatY.H.willnotobjecttomyconsideringthesixtyducatsasonlyaninstalmentofthearrearsduetomebeyondtheusualscaleofpayment,agreedtobepaidinViennacurrency,sothattheamountmustnotbedeductedfromthesumstillduetome.

IfeelsurethatY.H.'snoblefeelingswilldojusticetotheequityofmyproposal,andmywishtoenterintoeverydetailofthisaffair,sofarascircumstancespermit,andalsomyreadinesstopostponemyclaimstosuit

yourconvenience.ThesameelevatedsentimentswhichpromptedyoutofulfiltheengagemententeredintobythelatePrince,willalsomakeY.H.apprehendtheabsolutenecessityentailedonmebymypositionagaintosolicitimmediatepaymentofthearrearsofmysalary,whichareindispensableformymaintenance.

Anxiouslyhopingforafavorableanswertomypetition,Ihavethehonortoremain,withprofoundrespect,

Y.R.H.'sobedientservant,

LUDWIGVANBEETHOVEN.

99.

TOPRINCESSKINSKY.

HIGHLYHONOREDPRINCESS!--

AsthePrince'scounseldeclaredthatmyclaimcouldnotbeheardtillthechoiceofaguardianhadbeenmade,andasInowhearthatY.H.hasbeengraciouslypleasedyourselftoassumethatoffice,butdeclinereceivinganyone,Ipresentmyhumblepetitioninwriting,requestingatthesametimeyourearlyconsideration;foryoucaneasilyunderstandthat,relyingonathingasacertainty,itispainfultobesolongdeprivedofit,

especiallyasIamobligedentirelytosupportanunfortunatesicklybrotherandhiswholefamily,[1]which(notcomputingmyownwants)hasentirelyexhaustedmyresources,havingexpectedtoprovideformyselfbythepaymentofmysalary.Youmayperceivethejusticeofmyclaimsfromthefactofmyfaithfullynamingthereceiptofthesixtyducats,advancedtomebythelatePrinceinPrague,thePrince'scounselhimselfdeclaringthatImighthavesaidnothingaboutthissum,thelatePrincenothavingmentionediteithertohimortohiscashier.

Forgivemybeingobligedtointrudethisaffaironyou,butnecessity



compelsmetodoso.SomedayshenceIshalltakethelibertyofmakinginquiriesonthesubjectfromthePrince'scounsel,orfromanyoneY.H.mayappoint.

Iremain,mostesteemedandillustriousPrincess,

Yourdevotedservant,

LUDWIGVANBEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:SeealettertoRies,Nov.22d,1815:--"Hewasconsumptiveforsomeyears,and,inordertomakehislifeeasier,IcansafelycomputewhatIgavehimat10,000florinsW.W."]

100.

TOZMESKALL.

DEARZ.,--

Forwardtheaccompanyingletterto-daywithoutfailtoBrunswick,thatitmayarriveassoonandassafelyaspossible.ExcusethetroubleIgiveyou.Ihavebeenagainappliedto,tosendsomeofmyworkstoGratz,in

Styria,foraconcerttobegiveninaidoftheUrsulineconventanditsschools:lastyeartheyhadverylargereceiptsbythismeans.Includingthisconcert,andoneIgaveinCarlsbadforthebenefitofthesufferersfromfireatBaden,threeconcertshavebeengivenbyme,andthroughme,forbenevolentpurposesinoneyear;andyetifIaskafavor,peopleareasdeafasapost.Your

BEETHOVEN.

I.LettertoSclowonowitsch(Maîtredesbureauxdespostes)inCassel.IcannolongerdowithoutthebooksofTiedgeandFrauvonderRecke,asIamexpectedtogivesomeopinionaboutthem.

101.

TOHERRJOSEPHVARENNA,--GRATZ.

MYGOODSIR,--

Rodewasnotquitecorrectinallthathesaidofme;myhealthisnotparticularlygood,andfromnofaultofmyown,--mypresentconditionbeingthemostunfortunateofmylife.Butneitherthisnoranythingintheworldshallpreventmefromassisting,sofarasitliesinmypower,theinnocentanddistressedladiesofyourconventbymypoorworks.Ithereforeplaceatyourdisposaltwonewsymphonies,abassariawith

chorus,andseveralminorchoruses;ifyoudesireagaintoperform"Hungaria'sBenefactors,"whichyougavelastyear,itisalsoatyourservice.Amongthechorusesyouwillfinda"DerviseChorus,"acapitalbaitforamixedpublic.

Inmyopinion,yourbestplanwouldbetoselectadaywhenyoucouldgivethe"MountofOlives,"whichhasbeeneverywhereperformed.Thiswouldoccupyonehalfoftheconcert,andtheotherhalfmightconsistofanewsymphony,theovertures,andvariouschoruses,andlikewisetheabove-namedbassariaandchorus;thustheeveningwouldnotbedevoidofvariety.But



youcansettleallthismoresatisfactorilywiththeaidofyourownmusicalauthorities.IthinkIcanguesswhatyoumeanaboutagratuityformefroma_thirdperson_.WereIinthesamepositionasformerly,Iwouldatoncesay,"Beethovenneveracceptsanything_wherethebenefitofhumanityisconcerned_;"butowingtomyowntoogreatbenevolenceIamreducedtoalowebb,thecauseofwhich,however,doesnotputmetoshame,beingcombinedwithothercircumstancesforwhichmendevoidofhonorandprinciplearealonetoblame;soIdonothesitatetosaythatIwouldnotrefusethecontributionoftherichmantowhomyouallude.[1]Butthereisnoquestionhereofany_claim_.If,however,theaffairwiththe_thirdperson_comestonothing,prayrestassuredthatIshallbeequallydisposedtoconferthesamebenefitaslastyearonmyfriendstherespectedUrsulineladies,andshallatalltimesbereadytosuccorthepoorandneedysolongasIlive.Andnowfarewell!Writesoon,andIwillzealouslystrivetomakeallnecessaryarrangements.Mybestwishesfortheconvent.

Iam,withesteem,yourfriend,

LUDWIGVANBEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:Reichardt,onthe1stMarch,1809,writesinhis_VertrauteBriefe_,--"Beethoven,by'arichthirdperson,'asthefollowingletterproves,meantLouisBonaparte,who,afterabdicatingtheDutchthrone,

livedinGratz."]

102.

TOVARENNA.

MYEXCELLENTV.[VARENNA],--

Ireceivedyourletterwithmuchpleasure,butwithmuchdispleasurethe100florinsallottedtomebyourpoorconventladies;inthemeantimeIwillapplypartofthissumtopaythecopyists--thesurplusandtheaccountsforcopyingshallbesenttothesegoodladies.

Ineveracceptanythingforsuchapurpose.Ithoughtthatperhapsthe _thirdperson_towhomyoualludedmightbetheEx-KingofHolland,inwhichcaseIshouldhavehadnoscruples,undermypresentcircumstances,inacceptingagratuityfromhim,whohasnodoubttakenenoughfromtheDutchinalesslegitimateway;butasitis,Imustdecline(thoughinallfriendship)anyrenewalofthissubject.

Letmeknowwhether,wereItocomemyselftoGratz,Icouldgiveaconcert,andwhatthereceiptswouldprobablybe;forVienna,alas!cannolongercontinuemyplaceofabode.Perhapsitisnowtoolate?butanyinformationfromyouonthepointwillbeverywelcome.

Theworksarebeingcopied,andyoushallhavethemassoonaspossible.YoumaydojustwhatyoupleasewiththeOratorio;whereitwillbeofmostuseitwillbestfulfilmyintentions.

Iam,withesteem,yourobedient

BEETHOVEN.

P.S.SayallthatiskindfrommetotheworthyUrsulineladies.Irejoiceinbeingabletoservethem.



103.

TOZMESKALL.

Confounded,invitedguest!_Domanowetz!_--notmusicalCount,butgobblingCount!dinnerCount!supperCount!&c.,&c.TheQuartetistobetriedoverto-dayatteno'clockorhalf-past,atLobkowitz's.[1]HisHighness,whosewitsaregenerallyastray,isnotyetarrived;soprayjoinus,ifyoucanescapefromyourChanceryjailer.Herzogistoseeyouto-day.Heintendstotakethepostofmyman-servant;youmayagreetogivehimthirtyflorins,withhiswife_obbligata_.Firing,light,andmorningliveryfound.Imusthavesomeonewhoknowshowtocook,forifmyfoodcontinuesasbadasitnowis,Ishallalwaysbeill.Idineathometo-day,becauseIgetbetterwine.Ifyouwillonlyorderwhatyoulike,Iverymuchwishyoutocometome.Youshallhavethewine_gratis_,andoffarbetterqualitythanwhatyougetatthescoundrelly"Swan."

Yourveryinsignificant

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:Reichardt,inhis_VertrauteBriefe_,writes:"Thebeautiful

quartetsandeveningconcertsfortheArchdukeRudolphstillcontinueatPrincevonLobkowitz's,althoughthePrincehimselfisabouttojoinhisbattalioninBohemia."Reichardt,Vol.I.p.182,callsLobkowitz"anindefatigable,insatiable,genuineenthusiastforart."]

104.

TOZMESKALL.

Feb.25,1813.

Ihavebeenconstantlyindisposed,dearZmeskall,sinceIlastsawyou;in

themeantimetheservantwholivedwithyoubeforeyourpresentonehasappliedformysituation.Idonotrecollecthim,buthetoldmehehadbeenwithyou,andthatyouhadnothingtosayagainsthim,exceptthathedidnotdressyourhairasyouwished.Igavehimearnest-money,thoughonlyaflorin.Supposingyouhavenootherfaulttofindwiththeman(andifsoIbegyouwillcandidlymentionit),Iintendtoengagehim,foryouknowthatitisnoobjectwithmetohavemyhairdressed;itwouldbemoretothepurposeifmyfinancescouldbedressed,or_re-dressed_.Ihopetogetananswerfromyoutoday.Ifthereisnoonetoopenthedoortoyourservant,lethimleavethenoteintheentrancetotheleft,andshouldhefindnoonethereeither,hemustgiveittotheporter'swifebelowstairs.MayHeavenprosperyouinyourmusicalundertakings!Your

BEETHOVEN,

_Miserabilis._

105.

TOZMESKALL.

Feb.28,1813.



Letusleavethingsastheyareforto-day,dearZ.,tillwemeet[andsoonabouttheservant].

Farewell!Carefullyguardthefortressesoftherealm,which,asyouknow,arenolongervirgins,andhavealreadyreceivedmanyashot.

Yourfriend,

BEETHOVEN.

106.

TOZMESKALL.

MOSTWORTHYCOUNSELLOR,OWNEROFMINESANDLORDOFFASTNESSESINBURGUNDYANDBUDA!--

Besogoodastoletmeknowhowmattersstand,asthisafternoonatlatestIshalltakeadvantageofyourreplytomyquestion,bygivingmyservantwarningforthisdayfortnight.Hiswages,&c.,&c.[Therestrelatestohisservant.]

107.

TOZMESKALL.

April19,1813.

MYDEARZMESKALL,--

IhavebeenrefusedtheUniversityHall.Iheardthistwodayssince;butbeingindisposedyesterdayIcouldnotgotoseeyou,norcanIto-dayeither.WehavenoresourcenowbuttheKärnthnerthorTheatre,ortheone"anderWien."Ibelievetherewillonlybeoneconcert.Ifboththese

fail,wemustthenhaverecoursetotheAugarten,inwhichcaseweoughtcertainlytogivetwoconcerts.Reflectonthis,mydearfriend,andletmehaveyouropinion.To-morrowthesymphoniesmayperhapsbetriedoverattheArchduke'sifIamabletogoout,ofwhichIwillappriseyou.

Yourfriend,

BEETHOVEN.

108.

TOZMESKALL.

April23,1813.

DEARZ.,--

Allwillgoright,theArchdukebeingresolvedtotakethisPrince _Fizlypuzly_roundlytotask.Letmeknowifyouaretodineatthetavernto-day,orwhere?Praytellmeif"Sentivany"isproperlyspelt,asIwishtowritetohimatthesametimeabouttheChorus.Wemustalsoconsulttogetherwhatdaytochoose.Bytheby,becautiousnottomentionthe



intercessionoftheArchduke,forPrince_Fizlypuzly_isnottobewithhimtillSunday,andifthatevil-mindedcreditorhadanyprevioushintoftheaffair,hewouldstilltrytoevadeus.

Yoursever,

BEETHOVEN.

109.

TOZMESKALL.

April26,1813.

Lobkowitzwillgivemeadayonthe15thofMay,orafterthatperiod,whichseemstomescarcelybetterthannoneatall;soIamalmostdisposedtogiveupallideaofaconcert.ButtheAlmightywillnodoubtpreventmybeingutterlyruined.

Yours,

BEETHOVEN.

110.


Baden,May27,1813.

IhavethehonortoinformyouofmyarrivalinBaden,whichisindeedstillveryemptyofhumanbeings,butwithallthegreaterluxurianceandfulllustredoesNatureshineinherenchantingloveliness.WhereIfail,oreverhavefailed,begraciouslyindulgenttowardsme,forsomanytryingoccurrences,succeedingeachothersoclosely,havereallyalmostbewilderedme;stillIamconvincedthattheresplendentbeautiesofNature

here,andthecharmingenvirons,willgraduallyrestoremyspirits,andadoubleshareoftranquillitybemyportion,asbymystayhereIlikewisefulfilthewishesofY.R.H.WouldthatmydesiresoontohearthatY.R.H.isfullyrestoredwereequallyfulfilled!Thisisindeedmywarmestwish,andhowmuchIgrievethatIcannotatthismomentcontributetoyourrecoverybymeansof_my_art!ThisisreservedforthegoddessHygeiaalone,andI,alas!amonlyapoormortal,whocommendshimselftoY.R.H.,andsincerelyhopessoontobepermittedtowaitonyou.

[K.]

111.


Vienna,July24,1813.

FromdaytodayIhavebeenexpectingtoreturntoBaden;inthemeantime,thediscordsthatdetainmeheremaypossiblyberesolvedbytheendoftheensuingweek.Tomearesidenceinatownduringthesummerismisery,andwhenIalsorememberthatIamthuspreventedwaitingonY.R.H.,itisstillmorevexatiousandannoying.Itis,infact,theLobkowitzandKinsky



affairsthatkeepmehere.Insteadofponderingoveranumberofbars,IamobligedconstantlytoreflectonthenumberofperegrinationsIamforcedtomake;butforthis,Icouldscarcelyenduretotheend.Y.R.H.hasnodoubtheardofLobkowitz'smisfortunes,[1]whicharemuchtoberegretted;butafterall,toberichisnosuchgreathappiness!ItissaidthatCountFriesalonepaid1900goldducatstoDuport,forwhichhehadthesecurityoftheancientLobkowitzhouse.Thedetailsarebeyondallbelief.IhearthatCountRasumowsky[2]intendstogotoBaden,andtotakehisQuartetwithhim,whichisreallyverypretty,andIhavenodoubtthatY.R.H.willbemuchpleasedwithit.Iknownomorecharmingenjoymentinthecountrythanquartetmusic.IbegY.R.H.willacceptmyheartfeltwishesforyourhealth,andalsocompassionatemeforbeingobligedtopassmytimehereundersuchdisagreeablecircumstances.ButIwillstrivetocompensatetwofoldinBadenforwhatyouhavelost.

[K.]

[Footnote1:PrinceLobkowitz's"misfortunes"probablyrefertothegreatpecuniarydifficultieswhichbefellthismusicandpomplovingPrinceseveralyearsbeforehisdeath.BeethovenseemstohavemadevariousattemptstoinducethePrincetocontinuethepaymentofhisshareofthesalaryagreedon,thoughtheseeffortswerelongfruitless.Thesubject,however,appearstohavebeenagainrenewedin1816,foronthe8thofMarchinthisyearBeethovenwritestoRiestosaythathissalaryconsists

of3400florinsE.S.,andthissumhereceivedtillhisdeath.][Footnote2:ThosewhoplayedinCountRasumowsky'sQuartets,towhomBeethovendedicatedvariouscompositions,werethe_virtuosi_Schuppanzigh(1st),Sina(2dviolin),Linke(violoncello),Weiss(violin).]

112.


1813.[1]

Ibegtoinquirewhether,beinginsomedegreerestored,Iamtowaitonyouthisevening?Iatthesametimetakethelibertytomakeahumblerequest.Iwasinhopesthatbythistime,atallevents,mymelancholycircumstanceswouldhavebrightened,butallcontinuesinitsoldstate,soImustdetermineongivingtwoconcerts.[2]IfindthatIamcompelledtogiveupmyformerresolutionnevertogiveanyexceptforbenevolentpurposes;asself-maintenancedemandsthatIshoulddoso.ThehalloftheUniversitywouldbethemostadvantageousanddistinguishedformypresentobject,andmyhumblerequestconsistsinentreatingY.R.H.tobesograciousastosendalinetothepresent_RectorMagnificus_oftheUniversity,throughBaronSchweiger,whichwouldcertainlyensuremygettingthehall.Inthehopeofafavorableanswer,Iremain,&c.,&c.

[K.]

[Footnote1:Lateintheautumnof1813.]

[Footnote2:TheconcertsherereferredtoweregivenintheUniversityHallonthe8thand12thDecember,1813,whenthe_BattleofVittoria_andtheAmajorSymphonywereperformedforthefirsttime.Beethovenhimselfconducted.]



113.

TOFREIHERRJOSEFVONSCHWEIGER.

LateintheAutumnof1813.

MYDEARFRIEND,--

Ihaveto-dayapplied(byletter)tomygraciousmastertointeresthimselfinprocuringtheUniversityHallfortwoconcertswhichIthinkofgiving,andinfactmustgive,forallremainsasitwas.Alwaysconsideringyou,bothingoodandevilfortune,mybestfriend,IsuggestedtotheDukethatyoushouldapplyinhisnameforthisfavortothepresentRectoroftheUniversity.Whatevermaybetheresult,letmeknowH.R.H.'sdecisionassoonaspossible,thatImaymakefurthereffortstoextricatemyselffromapositionsodetrimentaltomeandtomyart.IamcomingthiseveningtotheArchduke.

Yourfriend,

BEETHOVEN.

[K.]

114.

TOHERRVONBAUMEISTER.[1]

DEARSIR,--

IrequestyouwillsendmethepartsoftheSymphonyinA,andlikewisemyscore.HisI.H.canhavetheMS.again,butIrequireitatpresentforthemusicintheAugartento-morrow.Ihavejustreceivedtwotickets,whichIsendtoyou,andbegyouwillmakeuseofthem.

Iam,withesteem,yours,

L.V.BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:PrivateSecretarytotheArchdukeRudolph.]

115.

TOZMESKALL.

Oct.9,1813.

MYDEARGOODZ.,--

Don'tbeindignantwithmeforaskingyoutoaddresstheenclosedletterproperly;thepersonforwhomitisintendedisconstantlycomplainingthathegetsnolettersfromme.YesterdayItookonemyselftothepost-office,whenIwasaskedwheretheletterwasmeanttogo.Isee,therefore,thatmywritingseemstobeaslittleunderstoodasmyself.Thencemyrequesttoyou.Your

BEETHOVEN.



116.

LETTEROFTHANKS.

Iesteemitmydutytoexpressmygratitudeforthegreatzealshownbyallthoseartistswhosokindlycoöperatedonthe8thand12thDecember[1813]intheconcertsgivenforthebenefitoftheAustrianandBavariansoldierswoundedatthebattleofHanau.Itwasararecombinationofeminentartists,whereallwereinspiredbythewishtobeofusetotheirfather-land,andtocontributebytheexerciseoftheirtalentstothefulfilmentoftheundertaking,while,regardlessofallprecedence,theygladlyacceptedsubordinateplaces.[1]WhileanartistlikeHerrSchuppanzighwasattheheadofthefirstviolins,andbyhisfieryandexpressivemodeofconductingkindledthezealofthewholeorchestra,HerrKapellmeisterSalierididnotscrupletogivethetimetothedrumsandcannonades;HerrSpohrandHerrMayseder,eachworthyfromhistalentstofillthehighestpost,playedinthesecondandthirdrank.HerrSiboniandHerrGiulianialsofilledsubordinateplaces.Theconductingofthewholewasonlyassignedtomefromthemusicbeingmyowncomposition;haditbeenthatofanyoneelse,Iwouldwillingly,likeHerrHummel,havetakenmyplaceatthebigdrum,astheonlyfeelingthatpervadedallourheartswastrueloveforourfather-land,andthewishcheerfullytodevoteourpowerstothosewhohadsacrificedsomuchforus.Particularthanksare

duetoHerrMaelzel,inasmuchashefirstsuggestedtheideaofthisconcert,andthemosttroublesomepartoftheenterprise,therequisitearrangements,management,andregulations,devolvedonhim.ImoreespeciallythankhimforgivingmeanopportunitybythisconcertoffulfillingawishIhavelongcherished,tocomposeforsuchabenevolentobject(exclusiveoftheworksalreadymadeovertohim)acomprehensiveworkmoreadaptedtothepresenttimes,tobelaidonthealtarofmyfather-land.[2]Asanoticeistobepublishedofallthosewhoassistedonthisoccasion,thepublicwillbeenabledtojudgeofthenobleself-denialexercisedbyamassofthegreatestartists,workingtogetherwiththesamebenevolentobjectinview.

LUDWIGVANBEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:TheAmajorSymphonyand_Wellington'sVictoryatVittoria_ wereperformed.]

[Footnote2:"Obsolete"iswritteninpencilbyBeethoven.]

117.


1814.

Ibegyouwillsendmethescoreofthe"FinalChorus"[2]forhalfaday,asthetheatricalscoreissobadlywritten.

[K.]

[Footnote1:Thespringof1814.]

[Footnote2:The_Schlusschor_,thescoreofwhichBeethovenrequeststheArchduketosendhim,isinallprobabilitytheFinale_Germania!Germania!_intendedforTreitschke'sOperetta_DieguteNachricht_,which



referstothetakingofParisbytheAllies,andwasperformedforthefirsttimeatViennaintheKärnthnerthorTheatreonthe11thApril,1814.Thesame_FinalChorus_wassubstitutedforanotherofBeethoven's(_Esistvollbracht_)inTreitschke'sOperetta_DieEhrenpforten_,firstgivenonthe15thJuly,1815,intheKärnthnerthorTheatre.BoththesechorusesareprintedinscoreinBreitkopf&Härtel'seditionofBeethoven'sworks.]

118.


1814.

Havingonlysorecentlyreceivedthescoreofthe"FinalChorus,"Imustaskyoutoexcuseyourgettingitbacksolate.ThebestthingH.R.H.candoistohaveittranscribed,forinitspresentformthescoreisofnouse.Iwouldhavebroughtitmyself,butIhavebeenlaidupwithacoldsincelastSunday,whichismostsevere,andobligesmetobeverycareful,beingsomuchindisposed.IneverfeelgreatersatisfactionthanwhenY.R.H.derivesanypleasurethroughme.Ihopeverysoontobeabletowaitonyoumyself,andinthemeantimeIpraythatyouwillkeepmeinremembrance.

[K.]

119.


1814.

Thesong"Germania"belongstothewholeworldwhosympathizewiththesubject,andtoyoubeyondallothers,justasImyselfamwhollyyours.IwishyouagoodjourneytoPalermo.

[K.]

120.

TOTREITSCHKE.

March,1814.

MYDEAR,WORTHYT.,--

IhavereadwiththegreatestsatisfactionyouramendmentsoftheOpera["Fidelio"whichwasabouttobeagainperformed].Ithasdecidedmeonce

moretorebuildthedesolateruinsofanancientfortress.

Yourfriend,

BEETHOVEN.

121.

TOTREITSCHKE.



TheaffairoftheOperaisthemosttroublesomeintheworld,andthereisscarcelyonepartofitwhichquitesatisfiesmenow,andthatIhavenotbeenobligedto_amendbysomethingmoresatisfactory_.Butwhatadifferencebetweenthis,andgivingone'sselfuptofreelyflowingthoughtandinspiration!

122.

TOTREITSCHKE.

1814.

Irequest,mydearT.,thatyouwillsendmethescoreofthesong[in"Fidelio,"_GeldisteineschöneSache_],thattheinterpolatednotesmaybetranscribedinalltheinstrumentalparts;thoughIshallnottakeitatallamissifyoupreferthatGirowetzoranyotherperson,perhapsWeinmüller[whosangthepartofRocco],shoulddoso.ThisIhavenothingtosayagainst,butIwillnotsuffermycompositiontobealteredbyanyonewhatever,behewhohemay.

Iam,withhighconsideration,

YourobedientBEETHOVEN.

123.

TOCOUNTMORITZLICHNOWSKY.[1]

MYDEARCOUNT,--

Ifyouwishtoattendourcouncil[aboutthealterationsin"Fidelio"],Ibegtoinformyouthatitassemblesthisafternoonathalf-pastthree

o'clock,intheSpielmannHaus,aufdemGraben,No.188,4thEtage,atHerrWeinmüller's.Ishallbeverygladifyouhaveleisuretobepresent.

[Footnote1:ThementionofWeinmüllerdecidesthedateofthisnote,asitwasinthespringof1814thathe,togetherwiththesingersSaalandVogl,broughtabouttherevivalof_Fidelio_.]

124.

TOCOUNTMORITZLICHNOWSKY.[1]

Mydear,victorious,andyetsometimesnonplussed(?)Count!Ihopethat

yourestedwell,mostpreciousandcharmingofallCounts!Oh!mostbelovedandunparalleledCount!mostfascinatingandprodigiousCount!

[Music:Trebleclef,E-flatMajor,2/2time.GrafGrafGrafGraf(in3-partharmony)Graf(in3-partcounterpoint)GrafGrafGraf,liebsterGraf,liebstesSchaf,besterGraf,bestesSchaf!Schaf!Schaf!]

(_Toberepeatedatpleasure_.)



AtwhathourshallwecallonWalterto-day?Mygoingornotdependsentirelyonyou.Your

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:InSchindler's_Beethoven'sNachlass_thereisalsoanautographCanonofBeethoven'sinFmajor,6/8,onCountLichnowsky,onthewords,_BesterHerrGraf,SiesindeinSchaf_,written(accordingtoSchindler)Feb.20th,1823,inthecoffee-house"DieGoldneBirne,"intheLandstrasse,whereBeethovenusuallywenteveryevening,thoughhegenerallyslippedinbythebackdoor.]

125.


1814.

Ihopeyouforgivemefornothavingcometoyou.Yourdispleasurewouldbetotallyundeserved,andIwillamplycompensateforlosttimeinafewdays.MyOperaof"Fidelio"[1]isagaintobeperformed,whichgivesmeagreatdealtodo;moreover,thoughIlookwell,Iamnotsoinreality.The

arrangementsformysecondconcert[2]arepartlycompleted.ImustwritesomethingnewforMdlle.Milder.[3]MeanwhileitisaconsolationtometohearthatY.R.H.issomuchbetter.IhopeIamnottoosanguineinthinkingthatIshallsoonbeabletocontributetowardsthis.IhavetakenthelibertytoapprisemyLordFalstaff[4]thatheiserelongtohavethehonorofappearingbeforeY.R.H.

[K.]

[Footnote1:Letters125and126refertotherevivaloftheOperaof _Fidelio_,whichhadnotbeengivensince1806,andwasnotagainproducedonthestagetillthe23dMay,1814,intheKärnthnerthorTheatre.Beethoven'sbenefittookplaceonthe8thJuly,twonewlycomposedpieces

beinginserted.]

[Footnote2:Beethovengaveaconcertonthe2dJanuary,1814,when _Wellington'sVictory_wasperformed,andonthe26thMarchanotherforthebenefitoftheTheatricalFund,atwhichthe_OverturetoEgmont_and _Wellingtons'sVictory_weregiven,directedbyBeethovenhimself.]

[Footnote3:AnnaMilder,RoyalCourtoperasinger,apupilofVogl's,whofirstsangthepartofLeonorein_Fidelio_.]

[Footnote4:By"myLordFalstaff"hemeansthecorpulentviolinistSchuppanzigh.]

126.


Vienna,July14,1814.

WheneverIinquireaboutyouIhearnothingbutgoodnews.Asformyowninsignificantself,IhavebeenhithertohopelesslydetainedinVienna,andunabletoapproachY.R.H.;Iamalsothusdeprivedoftheenjoymentof



beautifulNature,sodeartome.Thedirectorsofthetheatreareso _conscientious_,that,contrarytotheirfaithfulpromise,theyhaveagaingivenmyOperaof"Fidelio,"withoutthinkingofgivingmeanyshareinthereceipts.Theywouldhaveexhibitedthesamecommendablegoodfaithasecondtime,hadInotbeenonthewatchlikeaFrenchcustom-houseofficerofotherdays.Atlast,afteragreatmanytroublesomediscussions,itwassettledthattheOperaof"Fidelio"shouldbegivenonMondaythe18thofJuly,formybenefit.These_receipts_atthisseasonoftheyearmaymoreproperlybecalled_deceits_;butifaworkisinanydegreesuccessfulitoftenbecomesalittlefeastfortheauthor.Tothisfeastthemasterinviteshisillustriouspupil,andhopes--yes!IhopethatY.R.H.willgraciouslyconsenttocome,andthusaddlustretoeverythingbyyourpresence.ItwouldbeagreatboonifY.R.H.wouldendeavortopersuadetheothermembersoftheImperialfamilytobepresentattherepresentationofmyOpera,andIonmypartwillnotfailtotaketheproperstepsonthesubjectwhichdutycommands.Vogl'sillness[1]enabledmetosatisfymydesiretogivethepartofPizarrotoForti,[2]hisvoicebeingbettersuitedtoit;butowingtothistherearedailyrehearsals,whichcannotfailtohaveafavorableeffectontheperformance,butwhichrenderitimpossibleformetowaituponY.R.H.beforemybenefit.Praygivethisletteryourfavorableconsideration,andthinkgraciouslyofme.

[K.]

[Footnote1:Joh.Mich.Vogl,bornAugust10th,1768,wasCourtoperasinger(tenor)inViennafrom1794to1822;hediedNovember19th,1840.]

[Footnote2:Forti,bornJune8th,1790,amemberoftheRoyalCourtTheatre(abarytone),pensionedoffin1834.]

127.

DEPOSITION.

1814.

IvoluntarilypresentedMaelzel_gratis_witha"BattleSymphony"forhispanharmonica.Afterhavingkeptitforsometime,hebroughtmebackthescore,whichhehadalreadybeguntoengrave,sayingthathewishedittobeharmonizedforafullorchestra.Theideaofabattlehadalreadyoccurredtome,which,however,couldnotbeperformedonhispanharmonica.Weagreedtoselectthisandsomemoreofmyworks[seeNo.116]tobegivenattheconcertforthebenefitofdisabledsoldiers.AtthatverytimeIbecameinvolvedinthemostfrightfulpecuniarydifficulties.ForsakenbyeveryoneinVienna,andindailyexpectationofremittances,&c.,Maelzelofferedmefiftygoldducats,whichIaccepted,sayingthatIwouldeitherrepaythem,orallowhimtotaketheworktoLondon,(providedIdidnotgotheremyselfwithhim,)referringhimtoanEnglishpublisherforpayment.

Igotbackfromhimthescorewrittenforthepanharmonica.Theconcertsthentookplace,andduringthattimeHerrMaelzel'sdesignsandcharacterwerefirstfullyrevealed.Withoutmyconsent,hestatedonthebillsoftheconcertthattheworkwas_hisproperty_.Indignantatthis,Iinsistedonhisdestroyingthesebills.HethenstatedthatIhadgivenittohimasafriendlyact,becausehewasgoingtoLondon.TothisIdidnotobject,believingthatIhadreservedtherighttostatetheconditionsonwhichtheworkshouldbehisown.Irememberthatwhenthebillswerebeingprinted,Iviolentlyopposedthem,butthetimewastooshort,asIwas



stillwritingthework.Inallthefireofinspiration,andabsorbedinmycomposition,Iscarcelythoughtatallonthesubject.ImmediatelyafterthefirstconcertintheUniversityHall,Iwastoldonallsides,andbypeopleonwhomIcouldrely,thatMaelzelhadeverywheregivenouthehadpaidme400goldducatsfortheSymphony.Isentwhatfollowstoanewspaper,buttheeditorwouldnotinsertit,asMaelzelstandswellwiththemall.Assoonasthefirstconcertwasover,IrepaidMaelzelhisfiftyducats,declaringthathavingdiscoveredhisrealcharacter,nothingshouldeverinducemetotravelwithhim;justlyindignantthat,withoutconsultingme,hehadstatedinthebillsthatallthearrangementsfortheconcertweremostdefective.Hisowndespicablewantofpatriotismtooisprovedbythefollowingexpressions:"IcarenothingatallaboutL.;ifitisonlysaidinLondonthatpeoplehavepaidtenguldenforadmissionhere,thatisallIcareabout;thewoundedarenothingtome."Moreover,ItoldhimthathemighttaketheworktoLondononcertainconditions,whichIwouldinformhimof.Hethenassertedthatitwasa_friendlygift_,andmadeuseofthisphraseinthenewspapersafterthesecondconcert,withoutgivingmethemostremotehintonthesubject.AsMaelzelisarude,churlishman,entirelydevoidofeducationorcultivation,itiseasytoconceivethetenorofhisconducttomeduringthistime,whichstillfurtherirritatedme.Whocouldbeartobeforcedtobestowa_friendlygift_onsuchaman?IwasofferedanopportunitytosendtheworktothePrinceRegent,[afterwardsGeorgeIV.]Itwasthereforequiteimpossibleformeto_giveawaytheworkunconditionally_.

Hethencalledonamutualfriendtomakeproposals.Hewastoldonwhatdaytoreturnforananswer,butheneverappeared,setoffonhistravels,andperformedtheworkinMunich.Howdidheobtainit?Hecouldnotpossibly_steal_it;butHerrMaelzelhadseveralofthepartsforsomedaysinhishouse,andhecausedtheentireworktobeharmonizedbysomeobscuremusicaljourneyman,andisnowhawkingitabouttheworld.HerrMaelzelpromisedmeear-trumpets.Iharmonizedthe"BattleSymphony"forhispanharmonicafromawishtokeephimtohisword.Theear-trumpetscameatlast,butwerenotoftheservicetomethatIexpected.ForthisslighttroubleHerrMaelzel,aftermyhavingarrangedthe"BattleSymphony"forafullorchestra,andcomposedabattle-pieceinaddition,declaredthatIoughttohavemadeovertheseworkstohimas_hisownexclusiveproperty_.

EvenallowingthatIaminsomedegreeobligedtohimfortheear-trumpets,thisisentirelybalancedbyhishavingmadeatleast500guldeninMunichbymymutilatedorstolenbattle-piece.Hehasthereforepaidhimselfinfull.Hehadactuallytheaudacitytosayherethathewasinpossessionofthebattle-piece;infactheshowedit,writtenout,tovariouspersons.Ididnotbelievethis;and,infact,withgoodreason,asthewholeisnotbyme,butcompiledbysomeoneelse.Indeedthecreditheassumesfortheworkshouldalonebesufficientcompensation.

ThesecretaryattheWarOfficemadenoallusionwhatevertome,andyeteveryworkperformedatbothconcertswasofmycomposition.

HerrMaelzelthinksfittosaythathehasdelayedhisvisittoLondonon

accountofthebattle-piece,whichisameresubterfuge.Hestayedtofinishhispatchwork,asthefirstattemptdidnotsucceed.

BEETHOVEN.

128.

TOHERRJ.KAUKA,DOCTOROFLAWSINPRAGUE,INTHEKINGDOMOFBOHEMIA.



TheSummerof1814.

Athousandthanks,myesteemedKauka.AtlastImeetwitha_legalrepresentative_anda_man_,whocanbothwriteandthinkwithoutusingunmeaningformulas.YoucanscarcelyimaginehowIlongfortheendofthisaffair,asitnotonlyinterfereswithmydomesticexpenditure,butisinjurioustomeinvariousways.Youknowyourselfthatasensitivespiritoughtnottobefetteredbymiserableanxieties,andmuchthatmightrendermylifehappyisthusabstractedfromit.EvenmyinclinationandthedutyIassignedmyself,toservesufferinghumanitybymeansofmyart,Ihavebeenobligedtolimit,andmustcontinuetodoso.[1]

Iwritenothingaboutourmonarchsandmonarchies,forthenewspapersgiveyoueveryinformationonthesesubjects.[2]Theintellectualrealmisthemostpreciousinmyeyes,andfarabovealltemporalandspiritualmonarchies.Writetome,however,whatyouwish_foryourself_frommypoormusicalcapabilities,thatImay,insofarasitliesinmypower,supplysomethingforyourownmusicalsenseandfeeling.DoyounotrequireallthepapersconnectedwiththeKinskycase?IfsoIwillsendthemtoyou,astheycontainmostimportanttestimony,which,indeed,Ibelieveyoureadwhenwithme.Thinkofmeanddonotforgetthatyourepresentadisinterestedartistinoppositiontoaniggardlyfamily.Howgladlydomenwithholdfromthepoorartistinonerespect_whattheypayhiminanother_,andthereisnolongeraZeuswithwhomanartistcaninvite

himselftofeastonambrosia.Strive,mydearfriend,toacceleratethetardystepsofjustice.WheneverIfeelmyselfelevatedhigh,andinhappymomentsrevelinmyartisticsphere,circumstancesdragmedownagain,andnonemorethanthesetwolawsuits.Youtoohaveyourdisagreeablemoments,thoughwiththeviewsandcapabilitiesIknowyoutopossess,especiallyinyourprofession,Icouldscarcelyhavebelievedthis;stillImustrecallyourattentiontomyself.Ihavedrunktothedregsacupofbittersorrow,andalreadyearnedmartyrdominartthroughmybelovedartisticdisciplesandcolleagues.Ibegyouwillthinkofmeeveryday,andimagineittobean_entireworld_,foritisreallyaskingrathertoomuchofyoutothinkofsohumblean_individual_asmyself.

Iam,withthehighestesteemandfriendship,

Yourobedient

LUDWIGVANBEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:Hesupportedaconsumptivebrotherandhiswifeandchild.]

[Footnote2:AttheViennaCongressBeethovenwasreceivedwithmuchdistinctionbythepotentatespresent.]

129.

ADDRESSANDAPPEALTOLONDONARTISTSBYL.VANBEETHOVEN.

Vienna,July25,1814.

HerrMaelzel,nowinLondon,onhiswaythitherperformedmy"BattleSymphony"and"Wellington'sBattleofVittoria"inMunich,andnodoubtheintendstoproducethematLondonconcerts,ashewishedtodoinFrankfort.ThisinducesmetodeclarethatIneverinanywaymadeoverortransferredthesaidworkstoHerrMaelzel;thatnoonepossessesacopyofthem,andthattheonlyoneverifiedbymeIsenttohisRoyalHighnessthe



PrinceRegentofEngland.Theperformanceoftheseworks,therefore,byHerrMaelzeliseitheranimpositiononthepublic,astheabovedeclarationprovesthathedoesnotpossessthem,orifhedoes,hehasbeenguiltyofabreachoffaithtowardsme,inasmuchashemusthavegottheminasurreptitiousmanner.

Buteveninthelattercasethepublicwillstillbedeluded,fortheworksthatHerrMaelzelperformsunderthetitlesof"Wellington'sBattleofVittoria"and"BattleSymphony"arebeyondalldoubtspuriousandmutilated,asheneverhadanyportionofeitheroftheseworksofmine,exceptsomeofthepartsforafewdays.

Thissuspicionbecomesacertaintyfromthetestimonyofvariousartistshere,whosenamesIamauthorizedtogiveifnecessary.ThesegentlemenstatethatHerrMaelzel,beforeheleftVienna,declaredthathewasinpossessionoftheseworks,andshowedvariousportions,which,however,asIhavealreadyproved,mustbecounterfeit.ThequestionwhetherHerrMaelzelbecapableofdoingmesuchaninjuryisbestsolvedbythefollowingfact,--Inthepublicpapershenamedhimselfassolegiveroftheconcertonbehalfofourwoundedsoldiers,whereasmyworksalonewereperformedthere,andyethemadenoallusionwhatsoevertome.

IthereforeappealtotheLondonmusiciansnottopermitsuchagrievouswrongtobedonetotheirfellow-artistbyHerrMaelzel'sperformanceof

the"BattleofVittoria"andthe"BattleSymphony,"andalsotopreventtheLondonpublicbeingsoshamefullyimposedupon.

130.

TODR.KAUKA.


Youhaveshownafeelingforharmony,andyoucanresolveagreatdiscordinmylife,whichcausesmemuchdiscomfort,intomorepleasingmelody,ifyouwill.Ishortlyexpecttohearsomethingofwhatyouunderstandis

likelytohappen,asIeagerlyanticipatetheresultofthismost_unjust_ affairwiththeKinskys.WhenthePrincesswashere,sheseemedtobewelldisposedtowardsme;stillIdonotknowhowitwillend.InthemeantimeImustrestrictmyselfineverything,andawaitwithentireconfidencewhatis_rightfullymyown_and_legallydevolvesonme_;andthoughunforeseenoccurrencescausedchangesinthismatter,stilltwowitnessesrecentlyboretestimonytothewishofthedeceasedPrincethatmyappointedsalaryin_BancoZettel_shouldbepaidin_EinlösungSchein_,makinguptheoriginalsum,andthePrincehimselfgavemesixtygoldducats_onaccount_ ofmyclaim.

ShouldtheaffairturnoutbadlyformebytheconductoftheKinskyfamily,Iwillpublishitineverynewspaper,totheirdisgrace.Ifthere

hadbeenanheir,andthefactshadbeentoldtohim_inalltheirtruth_,justasInarratedthem,Iamconvincedthathewouldatoncehaveadoptedthewordsanddeedsofhispredecessor.HasDr.Wolf[thepreviousadvocate]shownyouthepapers,orshallImakeyouacquaintedwiththem?AsIambynomeanssurethatthisletterwillreachyousafely,Idefersendingyouthepianofortearrangementofmyopera"Fidelio,"whichisreadytobedispatched.

Ihope,inaccordancewithyourusualfriendliness,soontohearfromyou.IamalsowritingtoDr.Wolf(whocertainlydoesnottreatanyone



_wolfishly_),inordernottoarousehis_passion_,sothathemayhave _compassion_onme,andneithertakemypursenormylife.

Iam,withesteem,yourtruefriend,

LUDWIGVANBEETHOVEN.

131.

TOCOUNTMORITZLICHNOWSKY.

Baden,Sept.21,1841.[1]

MOSTESTEEMEDCOUNTANDFRIEND,--

Iunluckilyonlygotyourletteryesterday.Athousandthanksforyourremembranceofme.PrayexpressmygratitudealsotoyourcharmingPrincessChristiane[wifeofPrinceCarlLichnowsky].IhadadelightfulwalkyesterdaywithafriendintheBrühl,andinthecourseofourfriendlychatyouwereparticularlymentioned,andlo!andbehold!onmyreturnIfoundyourkindletter.Iseeyouareresolvedtocontinuetoloadmewithbenefits.

AsIamunwillingyoushouldsupposethatastepIhavealreadytakenispromptedbyyourrecentfavors,orbyanymotiveofthesort,Imusttellyouthatasonataofmine[Op.90]isabouttoappear,_dedicatedtoyou_.Iwishedtogiveyouasurprise,asthisdedicationhasbeenlongdesignedforyou,butyourletterofyesterdayinducesmetonamethefact.Irequirednonewmotivethuspubliclytotestifymysenseofyourfriendshipandkindness.Butasforanythingapproachingtoagiftinreturn,youwouldonlydistressme,bythustotallymisinterpretingmyintentions,andIshouldatoncedecidedlyrefusesuchathing.

IbegtokissthehandofthePrincessforherkindmessageandallhergoodnesstome._NeverhaveIforgottenwhatIowetoyouall_,thoughanunfortunatecombinationofcircumstancespreventedmytestifyingthisasI

couldhavewished.

FromwhatyoutellmeaboutLordCastlereagh,Ithinkthematterinthebestpossibletrain.IfIweretogiveanopiniononthesubject,IshouldsaythatLordCastlereaghoughttoheartheworkgivenherebeforewritingtoWellington.IshallsoonbeinVienna,whenwecanconsulttogetheraboutagrandconcert.NothingistobeeffectedatCourt;Imadetheapplication,but--but--

[Music:Trebleclef,Cmajor,4/4time,Adagio.al-leinal-leinal-lein]

_Silentium!!!_

Farewell,myesteemedfriend;praycontinuetoesteemmeworthyofyourfriendship.Yours,

BEETHOVEN.

AthousandcomplimentstotheillustriousPrincess.

[Footnote1:Thedatereversed,aswrittenbyBeethoven,isheregiven.]



132.


1814.

IperceivethatY.R.H.wishestotrytheeffectofmymusicevenuponhorses.[1]Weshallseewhetheritsinfluencewillcausetheriderstothrowsomecleversummersets.Ha!ha!Ican'thelplaughingatY.R.H.thinkingofmeonsuchanoccasion;forwhichIshallremainsolongasIlive,&c.,&c.,&c.Thehorse-musicthatY.R.H.desiresshallsetofftoyoufullgallop.

[K.]

[Footnote1:Atournamentwasheldonthe23dNovember,1814,intheRoyalRidingSchool.BeethovenwasprobablyrequestedbytheArchduketocomposesomemusicforit,which,however,hasnotbeentraced.]

133.


1814.

Itisimpossibleformeto-daytowaitonyou,muchasIwishit.IamdispatchingtheworkonWellington'svictory[1]toLondon.Suchmattershavetheirappointedandfixedtime,whichcannotbedelayedwithoutfinalloss.To-morrowIhopetobeabletocallonY.R.H.

[K.]

[Footnote1:TheCantata_DerglorreicheAugenblick_,thepoetrybyDr.AloisWeissenbach,settomusicbyBeethovenforchorusandorchestra(Op.136),wasfirstgiveninViennaonthe29thNovember,1814,andrepeatedon

the2dDecember.]

134.


(Inadifferenthand)Dec.1814.

IreallyfeelthatIcanneverdeserveyourgoodnesstowardsme.IbegtooffermymostrespectfulthanksforY.R.H.'sgraciousinterventioninmyaffairsatPrague.IwillpunctuallyattendtothescoreoftheCantata.[1]ItrustY.R.H.willforgivemynothavingyetbeentoseeyou.Afterthe

concertforthepoor,comesoneinthetheatre,equallyforthebenefitofthe_impresarioinangustia_,fortheyhavefeltsomejustshame,andhaveletmeoffwithonethirdandonehalfoftheusualcharges.Ihavenowsomefreshworkonhand,andthenthereisanewoperatobebegun,[2]thesubjectofwhichIamabouttodecideon.Moreover,Iamagainfarfromwell,butafewdayshenceIwillwaitonY.R.H.IfIcouldbeofanyservicetoY.R.H.,themosteagerandanxiouswishofmylifewouldbefulfilled.

[K.]



[Footnote1:WhatconcertBeethovenalludestoIcannotdiscover,butnomentionofitbeingmadeintheveryexact_AllgemeineLeipzigerMusikalischeZeitung_,itappearsnottohavetakenplace.]

[Footnote2:Thenewopera,withthesubjectofwhichBeethovenwasoccupied,wasnodoubtTreitschke's_Romulus_.]

135.


1814.

Mywarmestthanksforyourpresent.[1]Ionlyregretthatyoucouldnotparticipateinthemusic.IhavenowthehonortosendyouthescoreoftheCantata[seeNo.134].Y.R.H.cankeepitforsomedays,andafterwardsIshalltakecarethatitiscopiedforyouassoonaspossible.

Ifeelstillquiteexhaustedfromfatigueandworry,pleasureanddelight!--allcombined!Ishallhavethehonorofwaitingonyouinthecourseofafewdays.IhopetohearfavorableaccountsofY.R.H.'shealth.HowgladlywouldIsacrificemanynights,wereitinmypowertorestore

youentirely![K.]

[Footnote1:ThepresenthereferstowasprobablyfortheconcertofNovember29th,orDecember2d,1814.]

136.


1814.[1]

IseewithrealpleasurethatImaydismissallfearsforyourwell-being.Asformyself,Ihope(alwaysfeelinghappywhenabletogiveyouanypleasure)thatmyhealthisalsorapidlyrecruiting,whenIintendforthwithtocompensatebothyouandmyselfforthe_pauses_thathaveoccurred.AsforPrinceLobkowitz,his_pauses_withmestillcontinue,andIfearhewillneveragaincomeinattherightplace;andinPrague(goodheavens!withregardtoPrinceKinsky'saffair)theyscarcelyasyetknowwhatafiguredbassis,fortheysinginslow,long-drawnchoralnotes;someofthesesustainedthroughsixteenbars|======|.Asallthesediscordsseemlikelytobeveryslowlyresolved,itisbesttobringforwardonlythosewhichwecanourselvesresolve,andtogiveuptheresttoinevitablefate.Allowmeoncemoretoexpressmydelightatthe

recoveryofY.R.H.

[K.]

[Footnote1:1814or1815.PrinceLobkowitzwasstillaliveatthattime(diedDecember21st,1816).]

137.




1814.

AsyouweresokindastoletmeknowthroughCountTroyer[1]thatyouwouldwriteafewlinesonmyaffairsinPraguetothe_Oberstburggraf_ CountKolowrat,ItakethelibertytoenclosemylettertoCountK.;IdonotbelievethatitcontainsanythingtowhichY.R.H.willtakeexception.Thereisnochanceofmybeingallowedpaymentin_EinlösungSchein_,for,inspiteofalltheproofs,theguardianscannotbepersuadedtoconsenttothis;stillitistobehopedthatbythefriendlystepswehavemeanwhilehadrecourseto,_extra-judicially_,amorefavorableresultmaybeobtained,--as,forinstance,therateofthescaletobehigher.If,however,Y.R.H.willeitherwriteafewwordsyourself,orcauseittobedoneinyourname,theaffairwillcertainlybe_muchaccelerated_,whichinducesmeearnestlytoentreatY.R.H.toperformyourgraciouspromisetome.Thisaffairhasnowgoneonforthreeyears,andisstill--undecided.

[K.]

[Footnote1:CountFerdinandTroyerwasoneoftheArchduke'schamberlains.]

138.TOTHEARCHDUKERUDOLPH.

1814.

Ihaveagainforafortnightpastbeenafflictedwithsevereheadaches,thoughconstantlyhopingtogetbetter,butinvain.Now,however,thattheweatherisimproved,myphysicianpromisesmeaspeedycure.ThoughaseachdayIexpectedtobethelastofmysuffering,Ididnotwritetoyouonthesubject;besides,IthoughtthatY.R.H.probablydidnotrequireme,asitissolongsinceY.R.H.sentforme.DuringthefestivitiesinhonorofthePrincessofBaden,[1]andtheinjurytoY.R.H.'sfinger,Ibeganto

workveryassiduously,andasthefruitofthis,amongothers,isanewpianofortetrio.[2]Myselfverymuchoccupied,IhadnoideathatIhadincurredthedispleasureofY.R.H.,thoughInowbeginalmosttothinkthistobethecase.InthemeantimeIhopesoontobeabletopresentmyselfbeforeyourtribunal.

[K.]

[Footnote1:ThefestivitiesinhonorofthePrincessofBadenwereprobablyduringtheCongress,1814.]

[Footnote2:Thenewtrio,iftheoneinBflatforthepianoforte,violin,andvioloncello,Op.97,wasfirstperformedonthe11thApril,1814,in

thehallofthe"KomischerKaiser."Letter139alsomentionsthistrio,composedin1811andpublishedinJuly,1816.]

139.


1814.



IbegyouwillbesogoodastoletmehavetheTrioinBflatwithalltheparts,andalsobothpartsoftheviolinSonatainG,[1]asImusthavethemwrittenoutformyselfwithallspeed,notbeingabletohuntoutmyownscoresamongsomanyothers.IhopethatthisdetestableweatherhashadnobadeffectonY.R.H.'shealth;Imustownthatitratherderangesme.InthreeorfourdaysatleastIshallhavethehonortorestorebothworkstotheirproperplace.

Dothemusicalpausesstillcontinue?

[K.]

[Footnote1:TheSonataforpianoforteandviolininGmajor,Op.96,waspurchasedbyHaslinger,April1st,1815,andpublishedtheendofJuly,1816.Itwascomposedin1814--perhapsin1813.Thayerthinksin1810.]

140.

TOHERRKAUKA.

Vienna,Jan.11,1815.

MYGOOD,WORTHYK.,--

IreceivedBaronPasqualati'sletterto-day,bywhichIperceivethatyouwishmetodeferanyfreshmeasures.InthemeantimeallthenecessarypapersarelodgedwithPasqualati;sobesogoodastoinformhimthathemustdelaytakinganyfurthersteps.To-morrowacouncilistobeheldhere,andyouandP.shalllearntheresultprobablyto-morrowevening.MeanwhileIwishyoutolookthroughthepaperIsenttotheCourtthroughPasqualati,andreadtheappendixcarefully.YouwillthenseethatWolfandothershavenotgivenyoucorrectinformation.

Onethingiscertain,thattherearesufficientproofs_foranyonewhowishestobeconvinced_.Howcoulditeveroccurtome_tothinkofwrittenlegaltestimony_withsuchamanasKinsky,whoseintegrityandgenerosity

wereeverywhereacknowledged?Iremain,withthewarmestaffectionandesteem,

Inhaste,yourfriend,

B.

141.

TOHERRKAUKA.

1815.

MYDEARANDESTEEMEDK.,--

WhatcanIthink,orsay,orfeel?AsforW.[Wolf],itseemstomethathenotonlyshowed_hisweakpoints_,butgavehimselfnotroubletoconcealthem.Itisimpossiblethathecanhavedrawnuphisstatementinaccordancewithalltheactualevidencehehad.TheorderonthetreasuryabouttherateofexchangewasgivenbyKinskyprevioustohisconsenttopaymemysalaryin_EinlösungSchein_,asthedocumentsprove;indeeditisonlynecessarytoexaminethedatetoshowthis,sothefirst



instructionisofimportance.The_speciesfacti_provethatIwasmorethansixmonthsabsentfromVienna.AsIwasnotanxioustogetthemoney,Iallowedtheaffairtostandover;sothePrincethusforgottorecallhisformerordertothetreasury,butthatheneitherforgothispromisetome,nortoVarnhagen[anofficer]inmybehalf,isevidentbythetestimonyofHerrvonOliva,towhomshortlybeforehisdeparturefromhence--andindeedintoanotherworld--herepeatedhispromise,makinganappointmenttoseehimwhenheshouldreturntoVienna,inordertoarrangethematterwiththetreasury,whichofcoursewaspreventedbyhisuntimelydeath.

ThetestimonyoftheofficerVarnhagenisaccompaniedbyadocument(hebeingatpresentwiththeRussianarmy),inwhichhestatesthatheispreparedto_takehisoath_ontheaffair.TheevidenceofHerrOlivaisalsototheeffectthatheiswillingtoconfirmhisevidencebyoathbeforetheCourt.AsIhavesentawaythetestimonyofCol.CountBentheim,Iamnotsureofitstenor,butIbelievetheCountalsosaysthatheispreparedatanytimetomakeanaffidavitonthematterinCourt,andIammyself_readytoswearbeforetheCourt_thatPrinceKinskysaidtomeinPrague,"hethoughtitonlyfairtomethatmysalaryshouldbepaidin _EinlösungSchein_."Thesewerehisownwords.

HegavemehimselfsixtygoldducatsinPrague,onaccount(goodforabout600florins),as,owingtomystateofhealth,Icouldremainnolonger,andsetoffforTöplitz.ThePrince'swordwas_sacred_inmyeyes,never

havingheardanythingofhimtoinducemeeithertobringtwowitnesseswithmeortoaskhimforanywrittenpledge.IseefromallthisthatDr.Wolfhasmiserablymismanagedthebusiness,andhasnotmadeyousufficientlyacquaintedwiththepapers.

NowastothestepIhavejusttaken.TheArchdukeRudolphaskedmesometimesincewhethertheKinskyaffairwasyetterminated,havingprobablyheardsomethingofit.Itoldhimthatitlookedverybad,asIknewnothing,absolutelynothing,ofthematter.Heofferedtowritehimself,butdesiredmetoaddamemorandum,andalsotomakehimacquaintedwithallthepapersconnectedwiththeKinskycase.Afterhavinginformedhimselfontheaffair,hewrotetothe_Oberstburggraf_,andenclosedmylettertohim.

The_Oberstburggraf_answeredboththeDukeandmyselfimmediately.Inthelettertomehesaid"thatIwastopresentapetitiontotheProvincialCourtofJusticeinPrague,alongwithalltheproofs,whenceitwouldbeforwardedtohim,andthathewoulddohisutmosttofurthermycause."HealsowroteinthemostpolitetermstotheArchduke;indeed,heexpresslysaid"thathewasthoroughlycognizantofthelatePrinceKinsky'sintentionswithregardtomeandthisaffair,andthatImightpresentapetition,"&c.TheArchdukeinstantlysentforme,anddesiredmetopreparethedocumentandtoshowittohim;healsothoughtthatIoughttosolicitpaymentin_EinlösungSchein_,astherewasampleproof,ifnotinstrictlylegalform,oftheintentionsofthePrince,andnoonecoulddoubtthatifhehadsurvivedhewouldhaveadheredtohispromise.Ifhe

[theArchduke]werethisdaytheheir,_hewoulddemandnootherproofsthanthosealreadyfurnished_.IsentthispapertoBaronPasqualati,whoiskindlytopresentithimselftotheCourt.NottillaftertheaffairhadgonesofardidDr.AdlersburgreceivealetterfromDr.Wolf,inwhichhementionedthathehadmadeaclaimfor1500florins.Aswehavecomesofaras1500florinswiththe_Oberstburggraf_,wemaypossiblygetonto1800florins.Idonotesteemthisany_favor_,forthelatePrincewasoneofthosewhourgedmemosttorefuseasalaryof600goldducatsperannum,offeredtomefromWestphalia;andhesaidatthetime"thathewasresolvedIshouldhavenochanceofeatinghamsinWestphalia."Another



summonstoNaplessomewhatlaterIequallydeclined,andIamentitledtodemandafaircompensationforthelossIincurred.Ifthesalaryweretobepaidinbank-notes,whatshouldIget?Not400florinsin _Conventionsgeld_!!!inlieuofsuchasalaryas600ducats!Thereareampleproofsforthosewhowishtoactjustly;andwhatdoesthe_EinlösungSchein_nowamountto??!!!ItisevenatthismomentnoequivalentforwhatIrefused.ThisaffairwaspompouslyannouncedinallthenewspaperswhileIwasnearlyreducedtobeggary.TheintentionsofthePrinceareevident,andinmyopinionthefamilyareboundtoactinaccordancewiththemunlesstheywishtobedisgraced.Besides,therevenueshaveratherincreasedthandiminishedbythedeathofthePrince;sothereisnosufficientgroundforcurtailingmysalary.

Ireceivedyourfriendlyletteryesterday,butamtoowearyatthismomenttowriteallthatIfeeltowardsyou.Icanonlycommendmycasetoyoursagacity.Itappearsthatthe_Oberstburggraf_isthechiefperson;sowhathewrotetotheArchdukemustbekeptaprofoundsecret,foritmightnotbeadvisablethatanyoneshouldknowofitbutyouandPasqualati.YouhavesufficientcauseonlookingthroughthepaperstoshowhowimproperlyDr.Wolfhasconductedtheaffair,andthatanothercourseofactionisnecessary.Irelyonyourfriendshiptoactasyouthinkbestformyinterests.

Restassuredofmywarmestthanks,andprayexcusemywritingmoreto-day,

forathingofthiskindisveryfatiguing,--moresothanthegreatestmusicalundertaking.Myhearthasfoundsomethingforyoutowhichyourswillrespond,andthisyoushallsoonreceive.

Donotforgetme,poortormentedcreaturethatIam!and_actforme_and _effectforme_allthatispossible.

Withhighesteem,yourtruefriend,

BEETHOVEN.

142.

TOHERRKAUKA.

Vienna,Jan.14,1815.

MYGOODANDWORTHYK.,--

ThelongletterIenclosewaswrittenwhenweweredisposedtoclaimthe1800florins.BaronPasqualati'slastletter,however,againmademewaver,andDr.Adlersburgadvisedmetoadheretothestepsalreadytaken;butasDr.Wolfwritesthathehasofferedinyournametoaccept1500florinsayear,Ibegyouwillatleastmakeeveryefforttogetthatsum.ForthispurposeIsendyouthelongletterwrittenbeforewereceivedBaronP.'s

dissuasiveone,asyoumaydiscoverinitmanyreasonsfordemanding_atleast_the1500florins.TheArchduke,too,haswrittenasecondtimetothe_Oberstburggraf_,andwemayconcludefromhispreviousreplythathewillcertainlyexerthimself,andthatweshallatalleventssucceedingettingthe1500florins.

Farewell!Icannotwriteanothersyllable;suchthingsexhaustme.Mayyourfriendshipacceleratethisaffair!--ifitendsbadly,thenImustleaveVienna,becauseIcouldnotpossiblyliveonmyincome,forherethingshavecometosuchapassthateverythinghasrisentothehighestprice,



andthatpricemustbepaid.ThelasttwoconcertsIgavecostme1508florins,andhaditnotbeenfortheEmpress'smunificentpresentIshouldscarcelyhavederivedanyprofitwhatever.

Yourfaithfulfriend,

BEETHOVEN.

143.[1]

TOTHEHONORABLEMEMBERSOFTHELANDRECHT.

Vienna,1815.

GENTLEMEN,--

Quiteignorantoflawproceedings,andbelievingthatallclaimsonaninheritancecouldnotfailtobeliquidated,IsenttomylawyerinPrague[Dr.Kauka]thecontractsignedbytheArchdukeRudolph,PrinceLobkowitz,andPrincevonKinsky,inwhichtheseillustriouspersonagesagreedtosettleonmeanannualallowanceof4000florins.Myconstanteffortstoobtainasettlementofmyclaim,andalso,asIamboundtoadmit,myreproachestoDr.Kaukafornotconductingtheaffairproperly(his

applicationtotheguardianshavingprovedfruitless),nodoubtpromptedhimtohaverecoursetolaw.

NonebutthosewhoarefullyawareofmyesteemforthedeceasedPrincecantellhowrepugnantitistomyfeelingstoappearasacomplainantagainstmybenefactor.

UnderthesecircumstancesIhaverecoursetoashorterpath,intheconvictionthattheguardiansofthePrince'sestatewillbedisposedtomarktheirappreciationofart,andalsotheirdesiretofulfiltheengagementsofthelatePrince.Accordingtothetermsofthecontractinquestion,theArchdukeRudolph,PrinceLobkowitz,andPrincev.Kinskygrantedmethese4000florinsuntilIshouldobtainasituationofequal

value;andfurther,ifbymisfortuneoroldageIwaspreventedexercisingmyart,thesedistinguishedcontractingpartiessecuredthispensiontomeforlife,whileI,inreturn,pledgedmyselfnottoleaveVienna.

Thispromisewasgenerous,andequallygenerouswasitsfulfilment,fornodifficultyeveroccurred,andIwasinthepeacefulenjoymentofmypensiontilltheImperialFinancePatentappeared.TheconsequentalterationinthecurrencymadenodifferenceinthepaymentsoftheArchdukeRudolph,forIreceivedhissharein_EinlösungSchein_,asIhadpreviouslydoneinbank-notes,withoutanyreferencetothenewscale.ThelateillustriousPrincev.Kinskyalsoatonceassuredmethathisshare(1800florins)shouldalsobepaidin_EinlösungSchein_.Ashowever,heomittedgivingtheordertohiscashier,difficultiesaroseonthesubject.Althoughmy

circumstancesarenotbrilliant,Iwouldnothaveventuredtobringthisclaimbeforethenoticeoftheguardiansoftheestate,ifrespectable,uprightmenhadnotreceivedthesamepledgefromthelatePrince'sownlips,namely,thathewouldpaymypastaswellasmyfutureclaimsinViennacurrency,whichisprovedbythepapersB,C,D,appendedtothepleas.UnderthesecircumstancesIleavetheguardianstojudgewhether,aftersoimplicitlyrelyingonthepromiseofthedeceasedPrince,Ihavenotcausetocomplainofmydelicacybeingwoundedbytheobjectionadvancedbythecuratorstothewitnesses,fromtheirnothavingbeenpresenttogetheratthetimethepromisewasmade,whichismost



distressingtomyfeelings.

Inordertoextricatemyselffromthismostdisagreeablelawsuit,ItakethelibertytogiveanassurancetotheguardiansthatIamprepared,bothastothepastandthefuture,tobesatisfiedwiththe1800florins,Viennacurrency;andIflattermyselfthatthesegentlemenwilladmitthatIonmypartmakethusnosmallsacrifice,asitwassolelyfrommyesteemforthoseillustriousPrincesthatIselectedViennaformysettledabode,atatimewhenthemostadvantageousoffersweremadetomeelsewhere.

IthereforerequesttheCourttosubmitthisproposaltotheguardiansoftheKinskyestatesfortheiropinion,andtobesogoodastoinformmeoftheresult.

L.V.BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:SeeNo.94.Onthe18thJanuary,1815,theCourtofJusticeatPraguedecreedthatthetrusteesofPrinceKinsky'sestateshouldpaytoL.v.Beethoventhesumof1200florinsW.W.fromNovember3d,1812,insteadoftheoriginalwrittenagreementof1800florins.Dr.Constant,ofWurzbach,inhis_BiographicalAustrianLexicon_,statesthatBeethovendedicatedhissplendidsong_AndieHoffnung_,Op.94,toPrincessKinsky,wifeofPrinceFerdinandKinsky,whodiedin1812.]

144.

TOBARONVONPASQUALATI.

January,1815.

MYESTEEMEDFRIEND,--

IbegyouwillkindlysendmebythebearertheproperformfortheKinskyreceipt(_butsealed_)for600florinshalf-yearlyfromthemonthofApril.IintendtosendthereceiptforthwithtoDr.KaukainPrague,[1]whoonaformeroccasionprocuredthemoneyformesoquickly.Iwilldeductyour

debtfromthis,butifitbepossibletogetthemoneyherebeforetheremittancearrivesfromPrague,Iwillbringitatoncetoyoumyself.

Iremain,withthemostprofoundesteem,

Yoursincerefriend,

BEETHOVEN

[Footnote1:Thisman,nowninety-fouryearsofageandquiteblind,wasatthattimeBeethoven'scounselinPrague.PasqualatiwasthatbenefactorofBeethoven'swhoalwayskeptroomsforhiminhishouseontheMölkerBastei,andwhosekindaidneverdesertedhimtothecloseofhislife.]

145.

TOHERRKAUKA.

Vienna,Feb.24,1815.

MYMUCHESTEEMEDK.,--



IhaverepeatedlythankedyouthroughBaronPasqualatiforyourfriendlyexertionsonmybehalf,andInowbegtoexpressonethousandthanksmyself.TheinterventionoftheArchdukecouldnotbeverypalatabletoyou,andperhapshasprejudicedyouagainstme.YouhadalreadydoneallthatwaspossiblewhentheArchdukeinterfered.Ifthishadbeenthecasesooner,andwehadnotemployedthatone-sided,ormany-sided,orweak-sidedDr.Wolf,then,accordingtotheassurancesofthe _Oberstburggraf_himself,theaffairmighthavehadastillmorefavorableresult.Ishallthereforeeverandalwaysbegratefultoyouforyourservices.TheCourtnowdeductthesixtyducatsImentionedofmyownaccord,andtowhichthelatePrinceneveralludedeithertohistreasureroranyoneelse.Wheretruthcouldinjuremeithasbeenaccepted,sowhyrejectitwhenitcouldhavebenefitedme?Howunfair!BaronPasqualatirequiresinformationfromyouonvariouspoints.

Iamagainverytiredto-day,havingbeenobligedtodiscussmanythingswithpoorP.;suchmattersexhaustmemorethanthegreatesteffortsincomposition.Itisanewfield,thesoilofwhichIoughtnottoberequiredtotill.Thispainfulbusinesshascostmemanytearsandmuchsorrow.ThetimedrawsnearwhenPrincessKinskymustbewrittento.NowImustconclude.HowrejoicedshallIbewhenIcanwriteyouthepureeffusionsofmyheartoncemore;andthisImeantodoassoonasIamextricatedfromallthesetroubles.Prayacceptagainmyheartfeltthanksforallthatyouhavedoneforme,andcontinueyourregardfor

Yourattachedfriend,

BEETHOVEN.

146.


1815.

Iheardyesterday,anditwasindeedconfirmedbymeetingCountTroyer,

thatY.R.H.isnowhere.IthereforesendthededicationoftheTrio[inBflat]toY.R.H.,whosenameisinscribedonit;butallmyworksonwhichIplaceanyvalue,thoughthenamedoesnotappear,areequallydesignedforY.R.H.Itrust,however,thatyouwillnotthinkIhaveamotiveinsayingthis,--menofhighrankbeingapttosuspectself-interestinsuchexpressions,--andImeanonthisoccasiontorisktheimputationsofaras _appearances_go,byatonceaskingafavorofY.R.H.Mywell-groundedreasonsforsodoingyouwillnodoubtatonceperceive,andgraciouslyvouchsafetograntmyrequest.IhavebeenverymuchindisposedinBadensincethebeginningoflastOctober;indeed,fromthe5thofOctoberIhavebeenentirelyconfinedtomybed,ortomyroom,tillaboutaweekago.Ihadaveryseriousinflammatorycold,andamstillabletogooutverylittle,whichhasalsobeenthecauseofmynotwritingtoY.R.H.in

Kremsir.MayalltheblessingsthatHeavencanshoweruponearthattendyou.

[K.]

SECONDPART.



LIFE'SMISSION.

1815TO1822.

PARTII.

147.

WRITTENINSPOHR'SALBUM.[1]

Vienna,March3,1815.

[Music:Trebleclef,FMajor,3/4time.Kurz,kurz,kurz,kurzistderSchmerz,derSchmerz,e-wig,e-wigistdieFreu-de,istdieFreu-de,jadieFreu-de,e-wigistdieFreu-de.Kurz,kurz,kurz,kurzistderSchmerz,derSchmerz,derSchmerz,e-wig,e-wigistdieFreu-de,istdieFreu-de,e-wigistdieFreude,e-wig,e-wigistdieFreu-de.

Kurz,kurz,kurz,kurzistderSchmerz,derSchmerz,derSchmerz,e-wig,e-wigistdieFreude,e-wigistdieFreu-de.]

Whenever,dearSpohr,youchancetofindtrueartandtrueartists,mayyoukindlyremember

Yourfriend,

LUDWIGVANBEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:Fromthefac-simileinSpohr's_Autobiography_,Vol.I.]

148.

TOHERRKAUKA.

Vienna,April8,1815.

ItseemsscarcelyadmissibletobeonthefriendlytermsonwhichIconsidermyselfwithyou,andyettobeonsuchunfriendlyonesthatweshouldliveclosetoeachotherandnevermeet!!!!![1]Youwrite"_toutàvous_."Oh!youhumbug!saidI.No!no!itisreallytoobad.Ishouldliketothankyou9000timesforallyoureffortsonmybehalf,andtoreproachyou20,000thatyoucameandwentasyoudid.Soallisadelusion!friendship,kingdom,empire;allisonlyavaporwhicheverybreezewafts

intoadifferentform!!PerhapsImaygotoTöplitz,butitisnotcertain.ImighttakeadvantageofthatopportunitytoletthepeopleofPraguehearsomething--whatthinkyou?if_indeedyoustillthinkofmeatall_!AstheaffairwithLobkowitzisnowalsocometoaclose,wemaywrite_Finis_,thoughitfarfrom_fineis_forme.

BaronPasqualatiwillnodoubtsooncallonyouagain;healsohastakenmuchtroubleonmyaccount.Yes,indeed!itiseasytotalkof_justice_,buttoobtainitfromothersis_noeasymatter_.InwhatwaycanIbeofservicetoyouinmyownart?Saywhetheryouprefermycelebratingthe



monologueofafugitiveking,ortheperjuryofausurper--orthetruefriends,who,thoughnearneighbors,neversaweachother?Inthehopeofsoonhearingfromyou--forbeingnowsofarasunderitiseasiertoholdintercoursethanwhennearer!--Iremain,withhighestesteem,

Yourever-devotedfriend,

LUDWIGVANBEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:KaukaevidentlyhadbeenrecentlyinViennawithoutvisitingBeethoven.]

149.

TOHERRKAUKA.

1815.

MYDEARANDWORTHYK.,--

IhavejustreceivedfromtheSyndicBaierinR.thegoodnewsthatyoutoldhimyourselfaboutPrinceF.K.Asfortherest,youshallbeperfectlysatisfied.

ItakethelibertytoaskyouagaintolookaftermyinterestswiththeKinskyfamily,andIsubjointhenecessaryreceiptforthispurpose[seeNo.144].Perhapssomeotherwaymaybefound,thoughitdoesnotasyetoccurtome,bymeansofwhichIneednotimportuneyouinfuture.Onthe15thOctober[1815]Iwasattackedbyaninflammatorycold,fromtheconsequencesofwhichIstillsuffer,andmyartlikewise;butitistobehopedthatIshallnowgraduallyrecover,andatalleventsbeableoncemoretodisplaytherichesofmylittlerealmofsweetsounds.YetIamverypoorinallelse--owingtothetimes?topovertyofspirit?orwhat????Farewell!Everythingarounddisposesusto_profoundsilence_;butthisshallnotbethecaseastothebondoffriendshipandsoulthatunitesus.Iloudlyproclaimmyself,nowasever,

Yourlovingfriendandadmirer,

BEETHOVEN.

150.

TOHERRKAUKA.

1815.

MYMOSTWORTHYFRIEND,--

Mysecondletterfollowsthatofyesterday,May2d.Pasqualatitellsmeto-day,afterthelapseofamonthandsixdays,thatthehouseofBallabeneistoo_highandmighty_toassistmeinthismatter.Imustthereforeappealtoyour_insignificance_(asImyselfdonothesitatetobesomeanastoserveotherpeople).Myhouse-rentamountsto550florins,andmustbepaidoutofthesuminquestion.

Assoonasthenewlyengravedpianofortepiecesappear,youshallreceivecopies,andalsoofthe"Battle,"&c.,&c.Forgiveme,forgiveme,my



generousfriend;someothermeansmustbefoundtoforwardthisaffairwithduepromptitude.

Inhaste,yourfriendandadmirer,

BEETHOVEN.

151.

TOMR.SALOMON,--LONDON.[1]

Vienna,June1,1815.

MYGOODFELLOW-COUNTRYMAN,--

IalwayshopedtomeetyouonedayinLondon,butmanyobstacleshaveintervenedtopreventthefulfilmentofthiswish,andasthereseemsnownochanceofsuchathing,Ihopeyouwillnotrefusearequestofmine,whichisthatyouwillbesoobligingastoapplytosomeLondonpublisher,andofferhimthefollowingworksofmine.GrandTrioforpiano,violin,andvioloncello[Op.97],80ducats.PianoforteSonata,withviolinaccompaniment[Op.96],60ducats.GrandSymphonyinA(oneofmyverybest);ashortSymphonyinF[the8th];Quartetfortwoviolins,viola,and

violoncelloinFminor[Op.95];GrandOperainscore,30ducats.CantatawithChorusesandSolos["TheGloriousMoment"],30ducats.Scoreofthe"BattleofVittoria"and"Wellington'sVictory,"80ducats;alsothepianofortearrangementofthesame,ifnotalreadypublished,which,Iamtoldhere,isthecase.Ihavenamedthepricesofsomeoftheseworks,onascalewhichIholdtobesuitableforEngland,butIleaveittoyoutosaywhatsumshouldbeaskedbothfortheseandtheothers.Ihear,indeed,thatCramer[John,whosepianoforte-playingwashighlyestimatedbyBeethoven]isalsoapublisher,butmyscholarRieslatelywrotetomethatCramernotlongsince_publiclyexpressedhisdisapprovalofmyworks_:Itrustfromnomotivebutthatof_beingofservicetoart_,andifsoIhavenorighttoobjecttohisdoingthis.If,however,Cramershouldwishtopossessanyofmy_pernicious_works,Ishallbeaswellsatisfiedwith

himaswithanyotherpublisher;butIreservetherighttogivetheseworkstobepublishedhere,sothattheymayappearatthesamemomentinLondonandVienna.

PerhapsyoumayalsobeabletopointouttomeinwhatwayIcanrecoverfromthePrinceRegent[afterwardsGeorgeIV.]theexpensesoftranscribingthe"BattleSymphony"onWellington'svictoryatVittoria,tobededicatedtohim,forIhavelongagogivenupallhopeofreceivinganythingfromthatquarter.Ihavenotevenbeendeemedworthyofananswer,whetherIamtobeauthorizedtodedicatetheworktothePrinceRegent;andwhenatlastIproposetopublishithere,IaminformedthatithasalreadyappearedinLondon.Whatafatalityforanauthor!!!WhiletheEnglishandGermanpapersarefilledwithaccountsofthesuccessofthework,as

performedatDruryLane,andthattheatredrawinggreatreceiptsfromit,theauthorhasnotonefriendlylinetoshow,notevenpaymentforthecostofcopyingthework,andisthusdeprivedofallprofit.[2]ForifitbetruethatthepianofortearrangementissoontobepublishedbyaGermanpublisher,copiedfromtheLondonone,thenIlosebothmyfameandmy _honorarium_.Thewell-knowngenerosityofyourcharacterleadsmetohopethatyouwilltakesomeinterestinthematter,andactivelyexertyourselfonmybehalf.

Theinferiorpaper-moneyofthiscountryisnowreducedtoonefifthofits



value,andIampaidaccordingtothisscale.Aftermanystrugglesandconsiderableloss,Iatlengthsucceededinobtainingthefullvalue;butatthismomenttheoldpaper-moneyhasagainrisenfarbeyondthefifthpart,sothatitisevidentmysalarybecomesforthesecondtimealmost _nil_,andthereisnohopeofanycompensation.Mywholeincomeisderivedfrommyworks.IfIcouldrelyonagoodsaleinEngland,itwoulddoubtlessbeverybeneficialtome.Praybeassuredofmyboundlessgratitude.Ihopesoon,verysoon,tohearfromyou.

Iam,withesteem,yoursincerefriend,

LUDWIGVANBEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:J.P.SalomonwaslikewiseanativeofBonn,andoneofthemostdistinguishedviolin-playersofhistime.HehadbeenKapellmeistertoPrinceHeinrichofPrussia,andthenwenttoLondon,wherehewasveryactiveintheintroductionofGermanmusic.ItwasthroughhisagencythatBeethoven'sconnectionwithBirchall,themusicpublisher,firstcommenced,towhomanumberofhislettersareaddressed.]

[Footnote2:Undoubtedlythetruereadingoftheselastwords,whichinthecopybeforemearemarkedas"difficulttodecipher."]

152.TOTHEARCHDUKERUDOLPH.

1815.

PrayforgivemyaskingY.R.H.tosendmethetwoSonataswithviolin _obbligato_[1]whichIcausedtobetranscribedforY.R.H.Irequirethemonlyforafewdays,whenIwillimmediatelyreturnthem.

[K.]

[Footnote1:IfbythetwoSonatasforthepianofortewithvioloncello

_obbligato_,Op.102ismeant,theywerecomposedinJuly-August,1815,andappearedonJan.13th,1819.Thedateoftheletterappearsalsotobe1815.]

153.


1815.

IbegyouwillkindlysendmetheSonatainEminor,[1]asIwishtocorrectit.OnMondayIshallinquireforY.R.H.inperson._Recent

occurrences_[2]renderitindispensabletocompletemanyworksofmineabouttobeengravedasquicklyaspossible;besides,myhealthisonlypartiallyrestored.IearnestlyentreatY.R.H.todesire_someone_towritemeafewlinesastothestateofyourownhealth.ItrustIshallhearabetter--nay,thebestreportofit.

[K.]

[Footnote1:Theletters152and153speaksometimesexpresslyofthepianoforteSonatainEminor,Op.90,thesebeingengravedorunder



revision,andsometimesonlyindicatethem.ThisSonata,dedicatedtoCountLichnowsky,wascomposedonAugust14th,1814,andpublishedinJune,1815.]

[Footnote2:What"recentoccurrences"Beethovenalludesto,unlessindeedhiswell-knownmisfortunesastohissalaryandguardianshipwecannotdiscover.]

154.


1815.

Youmustalmostthinkmyillnessamerefiction,butthatisassuredlynotthecase.Iamobligedalwaystocomehomeearlyintheevening.ThefirsttimethatY.R.H.wasgraciouslypleasedtosendforme,Icamehomeimmediatelyafterwards,butfeelingmuchbettersincethen,Imadeanattempttheeveningbeforelasttostayoutalittlelater.IfY.R.H.doesnotcountermandme,Iintendtohavethehonorofwaitingonyouthiseveningatfiveo'clock.IwillbringthenewSonatawithme,merelyforto-day,foritissosoontobeengravedthatitisnotworthwhiletohaveitwrittenout.

[K.]

155.


1815.

Iintendedtohavegivenyouthislettermyself,butmypersonalattendancemightpossiblybeanintrusion;soItakethelibertyoncemoretourgeonY.R.H.therequestitcontains.IshouldalsobegladifY.R.H.wouldsend

mebackmylastMS.Sonata,forasI_must_publishit,itwouldbelaborlosttohaveittranscribed,andIshallsoonhavethepleasureofpresentingittoyouengraved.Iwillcallagaininafewdays.Itrustthesejoyoustimesmayhaveahappyinfluenceonyourprecioushealth.

[K.]

156.


Vienna,July23,1815.

Whenyouwererecentlyintown,theenclosedChorus[1]occurredtome.Ihurriedhometowriteitdown,butwasdetainedlongerindoingsothanIatfirstexpected,andthus,tomygreatsorrow,ImissedY.R.H.ThebadcustomIhavefollowedfromchildhood,instantlytowritedownmyfirstthoughts,otherwisetheynotunfrequentlygoastray,hasbeenaninjurytomeonthisoccasion.IthereforesendY.R.H.myimpeachmentandmyjustification,andtrustImayfindgraceinyoureyes.IhopesoontopresentmyselfbeforeY.R.H.,andtoinquireafterahealthsoprecioustousall.



[K.]

[Footnote1:In1815theChorusof_DieMeeresstille_wascomposedbyBeethoven.Wasthisthechoruswhichoccurredtohim?Thestyleoftheletterleaveshismeaningquiteobscure.]

157.


1815.

Itisneitherpresumption,northepretensionofadvocatinganyone'scause,stilllessfromthewishofarrogatingtomyselftheenjoymentofanyespecialfavorwithY.R.H.,thatinducesmetomakeasuggestionwhichisinitselfverysimple.OldKraft[1]waswithmeyesterday;hewishedtoknowifitwerepossibleforhimtobelodgedinyourpalace,inreturnforwhichhewouldbeatY.R.H.'sserviceasoftenasyoupleaseit.HehaslivedfortwentyyearsinthehouseofPrinceLobkowitz,andduringagreatpartofthattimehereceivednosalary;heisnowobligedtovacatehisroomswithoutreceivinganycompensationwhatever.Thepositionofthepoordeservingoldmanishard,andIshouldhaveconsideredmyselfequally

hard,hadInotventuredtolayhiscasebeforeyou.CountTroyerwillrequestananswerfromY.R.H.Astheobjectinviewistobrightenthelotofafellow-creature,prayforgiveyour,&c.,&c.

[K.]

[Footnote1:OldKraftwasaclevervioloncello-playerwhohadanappointmentinPrinceLobkowitz'sband,butwhenthefinancialcrisisoccurredinthePrince'saffairshelosthissituation,andwasobligedtogiveuphislodging.]

158.

WRITTENINENGLISHTOMR.BIRCHALL,MUSICPUBLISHER,LONDON.

Mr.BeethovensendwordtoMr.BirchallthatitisseveralldayspastthathehassentforLondonWellington'sBattelSinphonieandthatMr.B[irchall]maysendforitatThomasCoutts.Mr.BeethovenwishMr.B.wouldmakeingravethesaydSinphoniesosoonaspossibleandsendhimwordintimethedayitwillbepublishedthathemayprevendintimethePublisherinVienna.

Inregardthe3.SonatawhichMr.Birchallreceiveafterwerthsthereisnotwantedsuchag'thurryandMr.B.willtakethelibertytofixethedaywhenthearetobepublished.

Mr.B[irchall]saydthatMr.SalomonhasagoodmanytingstosayconcerningtheSynphonieinG[?A].

Mr.B[eethoven]wishforaanswersosoonaspossibleconcerningthedaysofthepublication.

159.



TOZMESKALL.

October16,1815.

IonlywishtoletyouknowthatIam_here_,andnot_elsewhere_,andwishinreturntohearifyouare_elsewhere_or_here_.IshouldbegladtospeaktoyouforafewminuteswhenIknowthatyouareathomeandalone. _Farewell_--butnot_toowell_--sublimeCommandantPachaofvariousmoulderingfortresses!!!

Inhaste,yourfriend,

BEETHOVEN.

160.


Nov.16,1815.

SinceyesterdayafternoonIhavebeenlyinginastateofexhaustion,owingtomygreatdistressofmindcausedbythesuddendeathofmyunhappybrother.ItwasimpossibleformetosendananswertoY.R.H.yesterday,

andItrustyouwillgraciouslyreceivemypresentexplanation.Iexpect,however,certainlytowaitonY.R.H.to-morrow.

[K.]

161.

TOTHEMESSRS.BIRCHALL,--LONDON.

Vienna,Nov.22,1815.

YouwillherewithreceivethepianofortearrangementoftheSymphonyinA.

"Wellington'sBattleSymphony,"and"VictoryatVittoria"weresentamonthsince,throughHerrNeumann,tothecareofMessrs.Coutts;soyouhavenodoubtreceivedthemlongerethis.

InthecourseofafortnightyoushallhavetheTrioandSonata,whenyouarerequestedtopayintothehandsofMessrs.Couttsthesumof130goldducats.Ibegyouwillmakenodelayinbringingouttheseworks,andlikewiseletmeknowonwhatdaythe"WellingtonSymphony"istoappear,sothatImaytakemymeasureshereaccordingly.Iam,withesteem,

Yourobedient

LUDWIGVANBEETHOVEN.

162.

TORIES.

Vienna,Wednesday,Nov.22,1815.

MYDEARRIES,--



IhastentoappriseyouthatIhaveto-dayforwardedbypostthepianofortearrangementoftheSymphonyinA,tothecareofMessrsCoutts.AstheCourtisabsent,few,indeedalmostnocouriersgofromhere;moreover,thepostisthesafestway.TheSymphonyoughttobebroughtoutaboutMarch;theprecisedayIwillfixmyself.SomuchtimehasalreadybeenlostonthisoccasionthatIcouldnotgiveanearliernoticeoftheperiodofpublication.TheTrioin[??]andtheviolinSonatamaybeallowedmoretime,andbothwillbeinLondonafewweekshence.Iearnestlyentreatyou,dearRies,totakechargeofthesematters,andalsotoseethatIgetthemoney;Irequireit,anditcostsmeagooddealbeforeallissentoff.

Ihavelost600florinsofmyyearlysalary;atthetimeofthe _bank-notes_therewasnoloss,butthencamethe_Einlösungsscheine_ [reducedpaper-money],whichdeprivesmeofthese600florins,afterentailingonmeseveralyearsofannoyance,andnowthetotallossofmysalary.Weareatpresentarrivedatapointwhenthe_Einlösungsscheine_ areevenlowerthanthe_bank-notes_everwere.Ipay1000florinsforhouse-rent:youmaythusconceiveallthemiserycausedbypaper-money.

Mypoorunhappybrother[Carlv.Beethoven,acashierinVienna]isjustdead[Nov.15th,1815];hehadabadwife.Forsomeyearspasthehasbeensufferingfromconsumption,andfrommywishtomakehislifelessirksomeImaycomputewhatIgavehimat10,000florins(_WienerWährung_).This

indeeddoesnotseemmuchtoanEnglishman,butitisagreatdealforapoorGerman,orratherAustrian.Theunhappymanwaslatterlymuchchanged,andImustsayIlamenthimfrommyheart,thoughIrejoicetothinkIleftnothingundonethatcouldcontributetohiscomfort.

TellMr.BirchallthatheistorepaythepostageofmyletterstoyouandMr.Salomon,andalsoyourstome;hemaydeductthisfromthesumheowesme;Iamanxiousthatthosewhoworkformeshouldloseaslittleaspossiblebyit."Wellington'sVictoryatVittoria"[1]musthavearrivedlongagothroughtheMessrs.Coutts.Mr.Birchallneednotsendpaymenttillheisinpossessionofalltheworks;onlydonotdelaylettingmeknowwhenthedayisfixedforthepublicationofthepianofortearrangement.Forto-day,Ionlyfurtherearnestlyrecommendmyaffairsto

yourcare;Ishallbeequallyatyourserviceatanytime.Farewell,dearRies.

Yourfriend,

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:"Thisisalsotobethetitleofthepianofortearrangement."(NotebyBeethoven.)]

163.

TOZMESKALL.

Jan.1816.

MYGOODZMESKALL,--

Iwasshockedtodiscoverto-daythatIhadomittedreplyingtoaproposalfromthe"SocietyofFriendstoMusicintheAustrianStates"towriteanOratorioforthem.



Thedeathofmybrothertwomonthsago,which,owingtotheguardianshipofmynephewhavingdevolvedonme,hasinvolvedmeinallsortsofannoyancesandperplexities,hascausedthisdelayinmyanswer.Inthemeantime,thepoemofHerrvanSeyfriedisalreadybegun,andIpurposeshortlytosetittomusic.IneednottellyouhowveryflatteringIconsidersuchacommission,forhowcouldIthinkotherwise?andIshallendeavortoacquitmyselfashonorablyasmypoortalentswilladmitof.

_Withregardtoourartisticresources_,whenthetimefortheperformancearrivesIshallcertainlytakeintoconsiderationthoseusuallyatourdisposal,without,however,strictlylimitingmyselftothem.IhopeIhavemademyselfclearlyunderstoodonthispoint.AsIamurgedtosaywhatgratuityIrequireinreturn,IbegtoknowwhethertheSocietywillconsider400goldducatsaproperremunerationforsuchawork?IoncemoreentreattheforgivenessoftheSocietyforthedelayinmyanswer,butIaminsomedegreerelievedbyknowingthat,atallevents,you,mydearfriend,havealreadyverballyapprisedtheSocietyofmyreadinesstowriteaworkofthekind.[1]

Ever,myworthyZ.,your

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:Inthe_Fischof'scheHandschrift_wearetold:--"Theallusion

to'ourartisticresources'requiressomeexplanation.Herrv.Zmeskallhadatthattimereceivedinstructionstogiveahinttothegreatcomposer(whopaidlittleregardtothedifficultyofexecutinghisworks)thathemustabsolutelytakeintoconsiderationthesizeoftheorchestra,whichatgrandconcertsamountedto700performers.TheSocietyonlystipulatedfortheexclusiverighttotheworkforoneyear,anddidnotpurchasethecopyright;theyundertookthegratuityforthepoemalso,sotheywereobligedtoconsulttheirpecuniaryresources,andinformedthecomposerthattheywerepreparedtogivehim200goldducatsfortheuseoftheworkforayear,astheyhadproposed.Beethovenwasquitesatisfied,andmadenoobjectionwhatever;hereceivedanadvanceonthissumaccordingtohisownwish,thereceiptofwhichheacknowledgedin1819.Beethovenrejectedthefirstpoemselected,anddesiredtohaveanother.TheSocietylefthis

choicequitefree.HerrBernhardundertooktosupplyanewone.Beethovenandheconsultedtogetherinchoosingthesubject,butHerrBernhard,overburdenedbyotherbusiness,couldonlysendthepoembitbybit.Beethoven,however,wouldnotbegintillthewholewasinhishands."]

164.

TOMDLLE.MILDER-HAUPTMANN.[1]

Vienna,Jan.6,1816.

MYHIGHLYVALUEDMDLLE.MILDER,MYDEARFRIEND,--

Ihavetoolongdelayedwritingtoyou.HowgladlywouldIpersonallyparticipateintheenthusiasmyouexciteatBerlinin"Fidelio!"Athousandthanksonmypartforhavingsofaithfullyadheredto_my_"Fidelio."IfyouwillaskBarondelaMotte-Fouqué,inmyname,todiscoveragoodsubjectforanopera,andonesuitablelikewisetoyourself,youwilldoarealservicebothtomeandtotheGermanstage;itisalsomywishtowriteitexpresslyforthe_BerlinTheatre_,asnonewoperacaneversucceedinbeingproperlygivenhereunderthisverypenuriousdirection.Answermesoon,verysoon--quickly,veryquickly--asquicklyas



possible--asquickaslightning--andsaywhethersuchathingispracticable.HerrKapellmeisterB.praisedyouuptotheskiestome,andheisright;wellmayheesteemhimselfhappywhohastheprivilegeofenjoyingyourmuse,yourgenius,andallyoursplendidendowmentsandtalents;--itisthusIfeel.Bethisasitmay,thosearoundcanonlycallthemselvesyourfellow-creatures[Nebenmann],whereasIalonehavearighttoclaimthehonorednameofcaptain[_Hauptmann_].

Inmysecretheart,yourtruefriendandadmirer,

BEETHOVEN.

Mypoorunfortunatebrotherisdead,whichhasbeenthecauseofmylongsilence.Assoonasyouhaverepliedtothisletter,IwillwritemyselftoBarondelaMotte-Fouqué.NodoubtyourinfluenceinBerlinwilleasilyobtainformeacommissiontowriteagrandopera(inwhichyoushallbeespeciallystudied)onfavorableterms;butdoanswermesoon,thatImayarrangemyotheroccupationsaccordingly.

[Music:Tenorclef,CMajor,4/4time.Ichküs-seSie,drü-ckeSiean'sHerz!IchderHaupt-mann,derHaupt-mann.]

Awaywithallotherfalse_Hauptmänner_![captains.]

[Footnote1:Mdlle.MildermarriedHauptmann,ajewellerinMunich,in1810,travelledin1812,andwasengagedatBerlinin1816.]

165.

TORIES

Vienna,Jan.20,1816.

DEARRIES,--

TheSymphonyistobededicatedtotheEmpressofRussia.ThepianofortescoreoftheSymphonyinAmustnot,however,appearbeforeJune,forthepublisherherecannotbereadysooner.Pray,dearRies,informMr.Birchallofthisatonce.TheSonatawithviolinaccompaniment,whichwillbesentfromherebythenextpost,canlikewisebepublishedinLondoninMay,buttheTrioatalaterdate(itfollowsbythenextpost);Iwillmyselfnamethetimeforitspublication.Andnow,dearRies,prayreceivemyheartfeltthanksforyourkindness,andespeciallyforthecorrectionsoftheproofs.MayHeavenblessyoumoreandmore,andpromoteyourprogress,inwhichItakethemostsincereinterest.Mykindregardstoyourwife.Nowasever,

Yoursincerefriend,

LUDWIGVANBEETHOVEN.

166.

TOMR.BIRCHALL,--LONDON.

Vienne,le3.Febr.den1816

VOUSRECEUESCIJOINT--



LegrandTriop.Pf.V.etVllo.SonatapourPf.etViolin--quiformlerestedecequ'ilvousaplusàmecomettre.Jevouspriedevouloirpayerlasomede130Ducatsd'HollandcomelepostelettreaMr.Th.CuttsetCo.devotrevilleedemecroireavectoutel'estimeetconsideration

VotretreshumbleServiteur,

LOUISVANBEETHOVEN.

167.

TOCZERNY.[1]

MYDEARCZERNY,--

Praygivetheenclosedtoyourparentsforthedinnerstheboyhadrecentlyatyourhouse;Ipositivelywillnotacceptthese_gratis_.Moreover,Iamveryfarfromwishingthatyourlessonsshouldremainwithoutremuneration,--eventhosealreadygivenmustbereckonedupandpaidfor;onlyIbegyoutohavealittlepatienceforatime,asnothingcanbe _demanded_fromthewidow,andIhadandstillhaveheavyexpensestodefray;--butI_borrow_fromyouforthemomentonly.Theboyistobewith

youto-day,andIshallcomelater.Yourfriend,

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:CarlCzerny,thecelebratedpianistandcomposer,forwhomBeethovenwroteatestimonialin1805(seeNo.42).HegavelessonstoBeethoven'snephewin1815,andnaturallyprotestedagainstanypayment,whichgaverisetotheexpressionsonthesubjectinmanyofhisnotestoCzerny,ofwhichthereappeartobeagreatnumber.]

168.

TOCZERNY.[1]

Vienna,Feb.12,1816.

DEARCZERNY,--

Icannotseeyouto-day,butIwillcallto-morrowbeingdesiroustotalktoyou.IspokeoutsobluntlyyesterdaythatImuchregretteditafterwards.Butyoumustforgivethisonthepartofanauthor,whowouldhavepreferredhearinghisworkashewroteit,howevercharminglyyouplayedit.Iwill,however,_amply_atoneforthisbythevioloncello

Sonata.[2]

RestassuredthatIcherishthegreatestregardforyouasanartist,andIshallalwaysendeavortoprovethis.

Yourtruefriend,

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:Czerny,inthe_A.M.Zeitung_,1845,relates:--"Onone



occasion(in1812),atSchuppanzigh'sconcert,whenplayingBeethoven'squintetwithwind-instruments,Itooktheliberty,inmyyouthfullevity,tomakemanyalterations,--suchasintroducingdifficultiesintothepassages,makinguseoftheupperoctaves,&c.,&c.Beethovensternlyanddeservedlyreproachedmeforthis,inthepresenceofSchuppanzigh,Linke,andtheotherperformers."]

[Footnote2:Opera69,whichCzerny(see_A.M.Zeitung_)wastoperformwithLinkethefollowingweek.]

169.

TORIES,--LONDON.

Vienna,Feb.28,1816.

...ForsometimepastIhavebeenfarfromwell;thelossofmybrotheraffectedbothmyspiritsandmyworks.Salomon'sdeathgrievesmemuch,ashewasanexcellentmanwhomIhaveknownfrommychildhood.Youarehisexecutorbywill,whileIamtheguardianofmylatepoorbrother'schild.YoucanscarcelyhavehadasmuchvexationfromSalomon'sdeathasIhavehadfromthatofmybrother!--butIhavethesweetconsolationofhavingrescuedapoorinnocentchildfromthehandsofanunworthymother.

Farewell,dearRies;ifIcaninanywayserveyou,lookonmeasYourtruefriend,

BEETHOVEN.

170.

TOGIANNATASIODELRIO,--VIENNA.

Feb.1816.

SIR,--

IhavegreatpleasureinsayingthatatlastIintendto-morrowtoplaceunderyourcarethedearpledgeintrustedtome.ButImustimpressonyounottopermitanyinfluenceonthemother'sparttodecidewhenandwheresheistoseeherson.Wecan,however,discussallthismoreminutelyto-morrow....Youmustkeepawatchfuleyeonyourservant,forminewas _bribedbyher_ononeoccasion.Moreastothisverbally,thoughitisasubjectonwhichIwouldfainbesilent;butthefuturewelfareoftheyouthyouaretotrainrendersthisunpleasantcommunicationnecessary.Iremain,withesteem,

Yourfaithfulservantandfriend,

BEETHOVEN.

171.

TOG.DELRIO.

1816.



Yourestimablelady,Mdme.A.G.[Giannatasio]ispolitelyrequestedtolettheundersignedknowassoonaspossible(thatImaynotbeobligedtokeepitallinmyhead)howmanypairsofstockings,trousers,shoes,anddrawersarerequired,andhowmanyyardsofkerseymeretomakeapairofblacktrousersformytallnephew;andforthesakeofthe"CastalianSpring"Ibeg,withoutanyfurtherremindersonmypart,thatImayreceiveananswertothis.

AsfortheLadyAbbess[anicknamefortheironlydaughter],thereshallbeaconferenceheldonCarl'saffairto-night,viz.,ifthingsaretocontinueastheyare.

Yourwell(andill)born

BEETHOVEN.

172.

TOG.DELRIO.

1816.

Iheardyesterdayevening,unluckilyattoolateanhour,thatyouhad

somethingtogiveme;haditnotbeenforthis,Iwouldhavecalledonyou.Ibeg,however,thatyouwillsendit,asIhavenodoubtitisaletterformefromthe"QueenoftheNight."[1]AlthoughyougavemepermissiontofetchCarltwicealready,ImustaskyoutolethimcometomewhenIsendforhimateleveno'clockto-morrow,asIwishtotakehimwithmetohearsomeinterestingmusic.Itisalsomyintentiontomakehimplaytometo-morrow,asitisnowsometimesinceIheardhim.Ihopeyouwillurgehimtostudymorecloselythanusualto-day,thathemayinsomedegreemakeupforhisholiday.Iembraceyoucordially,andremain,

Yourstruly,

LUDWIGVANBEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:The"QueenoftheNight"wasthenamegiventoCarl'smotherbyBeethoven.Shewasapersonofgreatlevityofconductandbadreputation,andeveryeffortwasmadebyBeethoventowithdrawhersonfromherinfluence,onwhichaccountheatonceremovedhimfromhercare,andplacedhiminthisinstitution.Sheconsequentlyappealedtothelawagainsthim,--thefirststepinalongcourseoflegalproceedingsofthemostpainfulnature.]

173.

TOG.DELRIO.[1]

1816.

Isendyou,dearsir,thecloak,andalsoaschool-bookofmyCarl's,andrequestyouwillmakeoutalistofhisclothesandeffects,thatImayhaveitcopiedformyself,beingobliged,ashisguardian,tolookcarefullyafterhisproperty.IintendtocallforCarlto-morrowabouthalf-pasttwelveo'clock,totakehimtoalittleconcert,andwishhimtodinewithmeafterwards,andshallbringhimbackmyself.Withrespecttohismother,Idesirethat_underthepretext_oftheboybeing_sobusy_,



youwillnotletherseehim;nomanonearthcanknoworjudgeofthismatterbetterthanmyself,andbyanyotherlineofconductallmywell-maturedplansforthewelfareofthechildmightbemateriallyinjured.IwillmyselfdiscusswithyouwhenthemotherishenceforthtohaveaccesstoCarl,forIamanxiousoneveryaccounttopreventtheoccurrenceofyesterdayeverbeingrepeated.Itakealltheresponsibilityonmyself;indeed,sofarasIamconcerned,theCourtconferredonmefullpowers,andtheauthorityatoncetocounteractanythingadversetothewelfareoftheboy.Iftheycouldhavelookedonherinthelightofanestimablemother,theyassuredlywouldnothaveexcludedherfromtheguardianshipofherchild.Whatevershemaythinkfittoassert,nothinghasbeendoneinaclandestinemanneragainsther.Therewasbutonevoiceinthewholecouncilonthesubject.Ihopetohavenofurthertroubleinthismatter,fortheburdenisalreadyheavyenough.

FromaconversationIhadyesterdaywithAdlersburg[hislawyer],itwouldappearthatalongtimemustyetelapsebeforetheCourtcandecidewhatreallybelongstothechild.InadditiontoalltheseanxietiesamIalsotoendureapersecutionsuchasIhaverecentlyexperienced,andfromwhichIthoughtI_wasentirelyrescuedbyyourInstitution_?Farewell!

Iam,withesteem,yourobedient

L.V.BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:Beethoven'sarbitraryauthorityhadbeenpreviouslysanctionedbyadecreeoftheCourt,andthemotherdeprivedofallpoweroverherson.]

174.

TOFERDINANDRIES,--LONDON.

Vienna,March8,1816.

Myanswerhasbeentoolongdelayed;butIwasill,andhadagreatpress

ofbusiness.Notasinglefarthingisyetcomeofthetengoldducats,andInowalmostbegintothinkthattheEnglishareonlyliberalwheninforeigncountries.ItisthesamewiththePrinceRegent,whohasnotevensentmethecostofcopyingmy"BattleSymphony,"noroneverbalorwrittenexpressionofthanks.Mywholeincomeconsistsof3400florinsinpaper-money.Ipay1100forhouse-rent,and900tomyservantandhiswife;soyoumayreckonforyourselfwhatremains.Besidesthis,theentiremaintenanceofmyyoungnephewdevolvesonme.Atpresentheisatschool,whichcosts1100florins,andisbynomeansagoodone;sothatImustarrangeaproperhouseholdandhavehimwithme.Howmuchmoneymustbemadetoliveatallhere!andyetthereseemsnoendtoit--because!--because!--because!--butyouknowwellwhatImean.

SomecommissionsfromthePhilharmonicwouldbeveryacceptabletome,besides,theconcert.NowletmesaythatmydearscholarRiesmustsettoworkanddedicatesomethingvaluabletome,towhichhismastermayrespond,andrepayhiminhisowncoin.HowcanIsendyoumyportrait?Mykindregardstoyourwife.I,alas!havenone.OnealoneIwishedtopossess,butnevershallIcallhermine![1]This,however,hasnotmademeawoman-hater.

Yourtruefriend,



BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:SeethestatementofFräuleindelRiointhe_Grenzboten_.Weread:--"Myfather'sideawasthatmarriagealonecouldremedythesadconditionofBeethoven'shouseholdmatters;soheaskedhimwhetherheknewanyone,&c.,&c.Ourlong-existingpresentimentwasthenrealized."Hislovewasunfortunate.Fiveyearsagohehadbecomeacquaintedwithapersonwithwhomhewouldhaveesteemeditthehighestfelicityofhislifetohaveenteredintocloserties;butitwasvaintothinkofit,beingalmostanimpossibility!achimera!andyethisfeelingsremainedthesameastheveryfirstdayhehadseenher!Headded,"thatneverbeforehadhefoundsuchharmony!butnodeclarationhadeverbeenmade,notbeingabletoprevailonhimselftodoso."ThisconversationtookplaceinSept.1816,atHelenenthal,inBaden,andthepersontowhomhealludedwasundoubtedlyMarieL.Pachler-KoschakinGratz.(SeeNo.80.)]

175.

TOF.RIES.

Vienna,April3,1816.

Neate[1]isnodoubtinLondonbythistime.Hetookseveralofmyworks

withhim,andpromisedtodothebesthecouldforme.TheArchdukeRudolph[Beethoven'spupil,seeNo.70]alsoplaysyourworkswithme,mydearRies;ofthese"IlSogno"especiallypleasedus.Farewell!Remembermetoyourcharmingwife,andtoanyfairEnglishladieswhocaretoreceivemygreetings.

Yourtruefriend,

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:CharlesNeate,aLondonartist,asSchindlerstyleshiminhis _Biography_(II.254),wasonseveraldifferentoccasionsforsometime

residentinVienna,andveryintimatewithBeethoven,whomhetriedtopersuadetocometoLondon.Healsowasofgreatserviceinpromotingthesaleofhisworks.AnumberofNeate'sletters,preservedintheBerlinStateLibrary,testifyhisfaithfulandactivedevotionandattachmenttothemaster.]

176.

POWEROFATTORNEY.

Vienna,May2,1816.

IauthorizeHerrv.Kauka,DoctorofLawsinthekingdomofBohemia,relyingonhisfriendship,toobtainformethereceiptof600florinsW.W.,payableatthetreasuryofPrinceKinsky,fromthehouseofBallabeneinPrague,andafterhavingdrawnthemoneytotransmitthesametomeassoonaspossible.

Witnessmyhandandseal.

LUDWIGVANBEETHOVEN.



177.

TOF.RIES.

Vienna,June11,1816.

MYDEARRIES,--

Iregretmuchtoputyoutotheexpenseofpostageonmyaccount;gladlyasIassistandserveeveryone,Iamalwaysunwillingmyselftohaverecoursetoothers.Ihaveasyetseennothingofthetenducats,whenceIdrawtheinferencethatinEngland,justaswithus,thereareidletalkerswhoprovefalsetotheirword.Idonotatallblameyouinthismatter.IhavenotheardasyllablefromNeate;soIdowishyouwouldaskhimwhetherhehasdisposedoftheFminorConcerto.IamalmostashamedtoalludetotheotherworksIintrustedtohim,andequallysoofmyself,forhavinggiventhemtohimsoconfidingly,devoidofallconditionssavethosesuggestedbyhisownfriendshipandzealformyinterests.

Atranslationhasbeensenttomeofanarticleinthe"MorningChronicle"ontheperformanceoftheSymphony.ProbablyitwillbethesameastothisandalltheotherworksNeatetookwithhimaswiththe"BattleSymphony;"theonlyprofitIshallderivewillbereadinganoticeoftheir

performanceinthenewspapers.

178.

TOG.DELRIO.

1816.

MYWORTHYG.,--

IbegyouwillsendCarltomewiththebearerofthisletter;otherwiseIshallnotbeabletoseehimallday,whichwouldbecontrarytohisown

interest,asmyinfluenceseemstoberequired;inthesameview,Ibegyouwillgivehimafewlineswithareportofhisconduct,sothatImayenteratonceonanypointwhereimprovementisnecessary.

Iamgoingtothecountryto-day,andshallnotreturntillratherlateatnight;beingalwaysunwillingtoinfringeyourrules,Ibegyouwillsendsomenight-thingswithCarl,sothatifwereturntoolatetobringhimtoyouto-day,Icankeephimallnight,andtakehimbacktoyoumyselfearlynextmorning.

Inhaste,alwaysyours,

L.V.BEETHOVEN.

179.

TOG.DELRIO.

1816.

Imustapologizetoyou,mygoodfriend,forCarlhavingcomehomeatsolateanhour.Wewereobligedtowaitforapersonwhoarrivedsolatethat



itdetainedus,butIwillnotsoonrepeatthisbreachofyourrules.AstoCarl'smother,Ihavenowdecidedthatyourwishnottoseeheragaininyourhouseshallbeaccededto.ThiscourseisfarmoresafeandjudiciousforourdearCarl,experiencehavingtaughtmethateveryvisitfromhismotherleavesarootofbitternessintheboy'sheart,whichmayinjure,butnevercanbenefithim.Ishallstrivetoarrangeoccasionalmeetingsatmyhouse,whichislikelytoresultineverythingbeingentirelybrokenoffwithher.AswethoroughlyagreeonthesubjectofCarl'smother,wecanmutuallydecideonthemodeofhiseducation.

Yourtruefriend,

BEETHOVEN.

180.


Vienna,July11,1816.

Yourkindnesstowardsmeinducesmetohopethatyouwillnotattributetoany_selfish_designonmypartthesomewhataudacious(thoughonlyastothesurprise)dedicationannexed.Thework[1]waswrittenforY.R.H.,or

rather,itowesitsexistencetoyou,andthistheworld(themusicalworld)oughttoknow.IshallsoonhavethehonorofwaitingonY.R.H.inBaden.Notwithstandingalltheeffortsofmyphysician,whowillnotallowmetoleavethis,theweaknessinmychestisnobetter,thoughmygeneralhealthisimproved.Ihopetohearallthatischeeringofyourownhealth,aboutwhichIamalwayssomuchinterested.

[K.]

[Footnote1:DoesBeethovenherealludetothededicationoftheSonataforpianoforteandviolininGmajor,Op.96,which,thoughsoldtoapublisherinApril,1815,wasdesignatedasquitenewinthe_AllgemeineZeitung_onJuly,29,1816?]

181.

WRITTENINENGLISHTOMR.BIRCHALL.

1816.

Received,March,1816,ofMr.RobertBirchall,music-seller,133NewBondStreet,London,thesumofonehundredandthirtygoldDutchducats,valueinEnglishcurrencysixty-fivepounds,forallmycopyrightandinterest,presentandfuture,vestedorcontingent,orotherwisewithintheUnitedkingdomofGreatBritainandIrelandinthefourfollowingcompositionsor

piecesofmusiccomposedorarrangedbyme,viz.:--

1st.AGrandBattleSinfonia,descriptiveofthebattleandvictoryatVittoria,adaptedforthepianoforteanddedicatedtohisRoyalHighnessthePrinceRegent--40ducats.

2d.AGrandSymphonyinthekeyofA,adaptedtothepianoforteanddedicatedto--

3d.AGrandTrioforthepianoforte,violin,andvioloncellointhekeyof



B.

4th.ASonataforthepianoforte,withanaccompanimentfortheviolininthekeyofG,dedicatedto--

And,inconsiderationofsuchpaymentIhereby,formyself,myexecutors,andadministrators,promiseandengagetoexecuteaproperanignmentthereoftohim,hisexecutorsandadministratorsoranignees,athisortheirrequestandcosts,asheortheyshalldirect.AndIlikewisepromiseandengageasabove,thatnoneoftheaboveshallbepublishedinanyforeigncountry,beforethetimeanddayfixedandagreedonforsuchpublicationbetweenR.Birchallandmyselfshallarrive.

L.VANBEETHOVEN.

182.

WRITTENINFRENCHTOMR.BIRCHALL,--LONDON.

Vienne22.Juilliet,1816.

MONSIEUR,--

J'aireçuladéclarationdeproprietédemesOeuvresentierementcedéaVouspouryadjoindremaSignature.Jesuistoutafaitdisposerasecondervosvoeuxsitôt,quecetteaffaireseraentierementenordre,enegarddelapetitesommede10#d'orlaquellemevientencorepourlefieuxdelaCopieturedepostedelettreetc.commej'avoisl'honneurdevousexpliquierdansunenotedetaillésursesobjectes.JevousinvitedoncMonsieurdebienvouloirmeremettrecespetitsobjects,pourmemettredansl'étatdepouvoirvousenvoyerleDocumentsusdit.AgréesMonsieurl'assurancedel'estimelaplusparfaitaveclaquellej'ail'honneurdemedire

LOUISVANBEETHOVEN.

Copying....1.10.0.PostagetoAmsterdam1.0.0.----Trio...2.10.-------------£5.0.0.

183.

TOG.DELRIO.

July28,1816.

MYGOODFRIEND,--

VariouscircumstancescompelmetotakechargeofCarlmyself;withthisviewpermitmetoencloseyoutheamountdueattheapproachingquarter,attheexpiryofwhichCarlistoleaveyou.Donot,Ibeg,ascribethistoanythingderogatoryeithertoyourselfortoyourrespectedinstitution,buttootherpressingmotivesconnectedwithCarl'swelfare.Itisonlyanexperiment,andwhenitisactuallycarriedoutIshallbegyoutofortifymebyyouradvice,andalsotopermitCarlsometimestovisityourinstitution.Ishallalwaysfeelthemostsinceregratitudetoyou,and



nevercanforgetyoursolicitude,andthekindcareofyourexcellentwife,whichhasfullyequalledthatofthebestofmothers.IwouldsendyouatleastfourtimesthesumInowdo,ifmypositionadmittedofit;butatalleventsIshallavailmyselfatafutureand,Ihope,abrighterday,ofeveryopportunitytoacknowledgeandtodojusticetothefoundation_you_ havelaidforthemoralandphysicalgoodofmyCarl.Withregardtothe"QueenoftheNight,"oursystemmustcontinuethesame;andasCarlisabouttoundergoanoperationinyourhousewhichwillcausehimtofeelindisposed,andconsequentlymakehimirritableandsusceptible,youmustbemorecarefulthanevertopreventherhavingaccesstohim;otherwiseshemighteasilycontrivetoreviveallthoseimpressionsinhismindwhichwearesoanxioustoavoid.Whatconfidencecanbeplacedinanypromisetoreformonherpart,theimpertinentscrawlIenclosewillbestprove[inreference,nodoubt,toanenclosednote].IsenditmerelytoshowyouhowfullyIamjustifiedintheprecautionsIhavealreadyadoptedwithregardtoher.Onthisoccasion,however,IdidnotanswerlikeaSarastro,butlikeaSultan.IwouldgladlyspareyoutheanxietyoftheoperationonCarl,butasitmusttakeplaceinyourhouse,Ibegyouwillinformmeoftheoutlaycausedbytheaffair,andtheexpensesconsequentonit,whichIwillthankfullyrepay.Nowfarewell!Sayallthatiskindfrommetoyourdearchildrenandyourexcellentwife,towhosecontinuedcareIcommendmyCarl.IleaveViennato-morrowatfiveo'clockA.M.,butshallfrequentlycomeinfromBaden.

Ever,withsincereesteem,yourL.V.BEETHOVEN.

184.

TOG.DELRIO.

Mdme.A.G.isrequestedtoorderseveralpairsofgoodlinendrawersforCarl.IintrustCarltoherkindness,andentirelyrelyonhermotherlycare.

185.

TOZMESKALL.

Baden,September5,1816.

DEARZ.,--

Idon'tknowwhetheryoureceivedanotethatIrecentlyleftonthethresholdofyourdoor,forthetimewastooshorttoenablemetoseeyou.Imustthereforerepeatmyrequestaboutanotherservant,astheconductofmypresentoneissuchthatIcannotpossiblykeephim.[1]Hewasengaged

onthe25thofApril,soonthe25thofSeptemberhewillhavebeenfivemonthswithme,andhereceived50florinsonaccount.Themoneyforhisbootswillbereckonedfromthethirdmonth(inmyservice),andfromthattimeattherateof40florinsperannum;hisliveryalsofromthethirdmonth.FromtheveryfirstIresolvednottokeephim,butdelayeddischarginghim,asIwishedtogetbackthevalueofmyflorins.InthemeantimeifIcanprocureanother,Iwillletthisoneleavemyserviceonthe15thofthemonth,andalsogivehim20florinsforbootmoney,and5florinsamonthforlivery(bothreckonedfromthethirdmonth),makingaltogether35florins.Ioughtthereforestilltoreceive15florins,but



theseIamwillingtogiveup;inthiswayIshallatalleventsreceivesomeequivalentformy50florins.Ifyoucanfindasuitableperson,Iwillgivehim2florinsadaywhileIaminBaden,andifheknowshowtocookhecanusemyfirewoodinthekitchen.(Ihaveakitchen,thoughIdonotcookinit.)Ifnot,Iwilladdafewkreutzerstohiswages.AssoonasIamsettledinVienna,heshallhave40florinsamonth,andboardandliveryasusual,reckonedfromthethirdmonthinmyservice,likeotherservants.Itwouldbeagoodthingifheunderstoodalittletailoring.Sonowyouhavemyproposals,andIbegforananswerbythe10thofthismonthatthelatest,thatImaydischargemypresentservantonthe2d,withtheusualfortnight'swarning;otherwiseIshallbeobligedtokeephimforanothermonth,andeverymomentIwishtogetridofhim.Asforthenewone,youknowprettywellwhatIrequire,--_good,steadyconduct_,a_goodcharacter_,and_nottobeofabloodthirstynature_,thatImayfeelmylifetobesafe,as,forthesakeofvariousscampsinthisworld,Ishouldliketolivealittlelonger.Bythe10th,therefore,Ishallexpecttohearfromyouonthisaffair.Ifyoudon'trunrestive,Iwillsoonsendyoumytreatiseonthefourvioloncellostrings,veryprofoundlyhandled;thefirstchapterdevotedexclusivelytoentrailsingeneral,thesecondtocatgutinparticular.Ineedscarcelygiveyouanyfurtherwarnings,asyouseemtobequiteonyourguardagainstwoundsinflictedbeforecertainfortresses.Themost_profoundpeace_everywhereprevails!!!Farewell,mygood_Zmeskällchen_!Iam,asever,_unpoveromusico_andyourfriend,

BEETHOVEN.

N.B.Ishallprobablyonlyrequiremynewservantforsomemonths,as,forthesakeofmyCarl,Imustshortlyengageahousekeeper.

[Footnote1:Duringaquarrel,theservantscratchedBeethoven'sface.]

186.

TOHERRKAUKA.

Baden,Sept.6,1816.

MYWORTHYK.,--

Isendyouherewiththereceipt,accordingtoyourrequest,andbegthatyouwillkindlyarrangethatIshouldhavethemoneybythe1stOctober,andwithoutanydeduction,whichhashithertobeenthecase;Ialsoparticularlybeg_youwillnotassignthemoneytoBaronP._(Iwilltellyouwhywhenwemeet;forthepresentletthisremainbetweenourselves.)Senditeitherdirecttomyself,or,ifitmustcomethroughanotherperson,donotletitbeBaronP.Itwouldbebestforthefuture,asthehouse-rentispaidhereforthegreathousebelongingtoKinsky,thatmymoneyshouldbepaidatthesametime.Thisisonlymyownidea.TheTerzet

youheardofwillsoonbeengraved,whichisinfinitelypreferabletoallwrittenmusic;youshallthereforereceiveanengravedcopy,andlikewisesomemoreofmyunrulyoffspring.InthemeantimeIbegthatyouwillseeonlywhatistrulygoodinthem,andlookwithanindulgenteyeonthehumanfrailtiesofthesepoorinnocents.Besides,Iamfullofcares,beinginrealityfathertomylatebrother'schild;indeedImighthaveusheredintotheworldasecondpartofthe"FlautoMagico,"havingalsobeenbroughtintocontactwitha"QueenoftheNight."Iembraceyoufrommyheart,andhopesooninsofartosucceedthatyoumayowesomethankstomyMuse.Mydear,worthyKauka,Ieveramyourtrulyattachedfriend,



BEETHOVEN.

187.

QUERY?

WhatwouldbetheresultwereItoleavethis,andindeedthekingdomofAustriaaltogether?Wouldthelife-certificate,ifsignedbytheauthoritiesofanon-Austrianplace,stillbevalid?

_Atergo._

Ibegyouwillletmeknowthepostageallmylettershavecostyou.

188.

TOG.DELRIO.

Sunday,September22,1816.

Certainthingscanneverbefullyexpressed.Ofthisnaturearemy

feelings,andespeciallymygratitude,onhearingthedetailsoftheoperationonCarlfromyou.Youwillexcusemyattemptingevenremotelytoshapetheseintowords.Ifeelcertain,however,thatyouwillnotdeclinethetributeIgladlypayyou;butIsaynomore.Youcaneasilyimaginemyanxietytohearhowmydearsonisgoingon;donotomittogivemeyourexactaddress,thatImaywritetoyoudirect.AfteryouleftthisIwrotetoBernhard[Bernard],tomakeinquiriesatyourhouse,buthavenotyetgotananswer;sopossiblyyoumayhavethoughtmeakindofhalf-recklessbarbarian,asnodoubtHerrB.hasneglectedtocallonyou,aswellastowritetome.IcanhavenouneasinessaboutCarlwhenyouradmirablewifeiswithhim:thatisquiteoutofthequestion.YoucanwellunderstandhowmuchitgrievesmenottobeabletotakepartinthesufferingsofmyCarl,andthatIatleastwishtohearfrequentlyofhisprogress.AsI

haverenouncedsuchanunfeeling,unsympathizingfriendasHerrB.[Bernard],Imusthaverecoursetoyourfriendshipandcomplaisanceonthispointalso,andshallhopesoontoreceiveafewlinesfromyou.Ibegtosendmybestregardsandathousandthankstoyouradmirablewife.

Inhaste,your

BEETHOVEN.

IwishyoutoexpresstoSmetana[thesurgeon]myesteemandhighconsideration.

189.

TOG.DELRIO.

Ifyoudonotobject,IbegyouwillallowCarltocometomewiththebearerofthis.Iforgot,inmyhaste,tosaythatalltheloveandgoodnesswhichMdme.A.G.[Giannatasio]showedmyCarlduringhisillnessareinscribedinthelistofmyobligations,andIhopeonedaytoshowthattheyareeverpresentinmymind.PerhapsImayseeyouto-daywithCarl.



Inhaste,yoursincerefriend,

L.V.BEETHOVEN.

190.

TOWEGELER.

ItaketheopportunitythroughJ.Simrocktoremindyouofmyself.Ihopeyoureceivedtheengravingofme[byLetronne],andlikewisetheBohemianglass.WhenInextmakeapilgrimagethroughBohemiayoushallhavesomethingmoreofthesamekind.Farewell!Youareahusbandandafather;soamI,butwithoutawife.Mylovetoyourdearones--to_our_dearones.

Yourfriend,

L.V.BEETHOVEN.

191.

WRITTENINENGLISHTOMR.BIRCHALL,MUSICSELLER,LONDON.

Vienna,1.Oct.1816.

MYDEARSIR,--

Ihavedulyreceivedthe£5andthoughtpreviouslyyouwouldnonincreasethenumberofEnglishmenneglectingtheirwordandhonor,asIhadthemisfortuneofmeetingwithtwoofthissort.Inreplictotheothertopicsofyourfavor,Ihavenoobjectiontowritevariationsaccordingtoyourplan,andIhopeyouwillnotfind£30toomuch,theAccompanimentwillbeaFluteorViolinoraVioloncello;you'lleitherdecideitwhenyousendmetheapprobationoftheprice,oryou'llleaveittome.Iexpecttoreceivethesongsorpoetry--thesoonerthebetter,andyou'llfavorme

alsowiththeprobablenumberofWorksofVariationsyouareinclinedtoreceiveofme.TheSonatainGwiththeaccompan'tofaViolintohisImperialHighnesseArchdukeRodolphofAustria--itisOp'a96.TheTrioinBbisdedicatedtothesameandisOp.97.ThePianoarrangementoftheSymphonyinAisdedicatedtotheEmpressoftheRussians--meaningtheWifeoftheEmp'rAlexander--Op.98.

Concerningtheexpencesofcopyingandpackingitisnotpossibletofixhimbeforehand,theyareatanyratenotconsiderable,andyou'llpleasetoconsiderthatyouhavetodealwithamanofhonor,whowillnotchargeone6p.morethanheischargedforhimself.Messrs.Fries&Co.willaccountwithMessrs.Coutts&Co.--ThepostagemaybelessenedasIhavebeentold.IofferyouofmyWorksthefollowingnewones.AGrandSonata

forthePianofortealone£40.ATrioforthePianowithaccomp'tofViolinandVioloncellofor£50.Itispossiblethatsomebodywillofferyouotherworksofminetopurchase,forex.thescoreoftheGrandSymphonyinA.--WithregardtothearrangementofthisSymphonyforthePianoIbegyounottoforgetthatyouarenottopublishituntilIhaveappointedthedayofitspublicationhereinVienna.Thiscannotbeotherwisewithoutmakingmyselfguiltyofadishonorableact--buttheSonatawiththeViolinandtheTrioinBfl.maybepublishedwithoutanydelay.

Withallthe_newworks_,whichyouwillhaveofmeorwhichIofferyou,



itrestswithyoutonamethedayoftheirpublicationatyourownchoice:Ientreatyoutohonormeassoonaspossiblewithananswerhavingmanyordresforcompositionsandthatyoumaynotbedelayed.Myaddressordirectionis

MonsieurLouisvanBeethoven

No.1055&1056Sailerstette3d.Stock.Vienna.

Youmaysendyourletter,ifyouplease,directtoyourmosthumbleservant

LUDWIGVANBEETHOVEN.

192.

TOZMESKALL.

Oct.24,1816.

WELLBORN,ANDYETEVILBORN!(ASWEALLARE!)

WeareinBadento-day,andintendtobringthecelebratednaturalistRibiniacollectionofdeadleaves.To-morrowwepurposepayingyounot

onlya_visit_buta_visitation_.Yourdevoted

LUDWIGVANBEETHOVEN.

193.


November,1816.[1]

Ihavebeenagainmuchworse,sothatIcanonlyventuretogooutalittleinthedaytime;Iam,however,gettingbetter,andhopenowtohavethehonorofwaitingonY.R.H.threetimesaweek.Meanwhile,Ihavemanyandgreatcaresintheseterribletimes(whichsurpassanythingwehaveeverexperienced),andwhicharefurtheraugmentedbyhavingbecomethefathersincelastNovemberofapoororphan.Allthistendstoretardmyentirerestorationtohealth.IwishY.R.H.allimaginablegoodandhappiness,andbegyouwillgraciouslyreceiveandnotmisinterpret

Your,&c.,&c.

[K.]

[Footnote1:AyearafterCarlvonBeethoven'sdeath(Nov.15,1815).]

194.

TOFREIHERRVONSCHWEIGER.

BEST!

MOSTAMIABLE!



FIRSTANDFOREMOSTTURNERMEISTEROFEUROPE!

Thebearerofthisisapoordevil!(likemanyanother!!!)Youcouldassisthimbyaskingyourgraciousmasterwhetherheisdisposedtopurchaseoneofhissmallbutneatpianos.IalsobegyouwillrecommendhimtoanyoftheChamberlainsorAdjutantsoftheArchdukeCarl,toseewhetheritispossiblethatH.R.H.wouldbuyoneoftheseinstrumentsforhisDuchess.Wethereforerequestanintroductionfromtheillustrious_TurnerMeister_forthispoordevil[1]totheChamberlainsandAdjutantsofthehousehold.

Likewise

1

poordevil,

[K.]L.V.BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:Anamecannotnowbefoundforthe"poordevil."]

195.

TOG.DELRIO.Nov.16,1816.

MYDEARFRIEND,--

Myhouseholdseemsabouttomakeshipwreck,orsomethingverylikeit.YouknowthatIwasdupedintotakingthishouseonfalsepretexts;besides,myhealthdoesnotseemlikelytoimproveinahurry.Toengageatutorundersuchcircumstances,whosecharacterandwhoseveryexteriorevenareunknowntome,andthustointrustmyCarl'seducationtohap-hazard,isquiteoutofthequestion,nomatterhowgreatthesacrificeswhichIshallbeagaincalledontomake.Ibegyou,therefore,tokeepCarlforthe

ensuingquarter,commencingonthe9th.Iwillinsofarcomplywithyourproposalastothecultivationofthescienceofmusic,thatCarlmaycometometwoorthreetimesaweek,leavingyouatsixo'clockintheeveningandstayingwithmetillthefollowingmorning,whenhecanreturntoyoubyeighto'clock.ItwouldbetoofatiguingforCarltocomeeveryday,andindeedtoogreataneffortandtieformelikewise,asthelessonsmustbegivenatthesamefixedhour.

DuringthisquarterwecandiscussmoreminutelythemostsuitableplanforCarl,takingintoconsiderationbothhisinterestsandmyown.Imust,alas!mentionmyownalsointhesetimes,whicharedailygettingworse.Ifyourgardenresidencehadagreedwithmyhealth,everythingmighthavebeeneasilyadjusted.Withregardtomydebttoyouforthepresentquarter,I

begyouwillbesoobligingastocallonme,thatImaydischargeit;thebearerofthishasthegoodfortunetobeendowedbyProvidencewithavastamountofstupidity,whichIbynomeansgrudgehimthebenefitof,providedothersdonotsufferbyit.AstotheremainingexpensesincurredforCarl,eitherduringhisillnessorconnectedwithit,Imust,forafewdaysonly,requestyourindulgence,havinggreatcallsonmeatpresentfromallquarters.IwishalsotoknowwhatfeeIoughttogiveSmetanaforthesuccessfuloperationheperformed;wereIrich,ornotinthesamesadpositioninwhichallarewhohavelinkedtheirfatetothiscountry(alwaysexcepting_Austrianusurers_),Iwouldmakenoinquiriesonthe



subject;andIonlywishyoutogivemearoughestimateoftheproperfee.Farewell!Icordiallyembraceyou,andshallalwayslookonyouasafriendofmineandofCarl's.

Iam,withesteem,your

L.V.BEETHOVEN.

196.

TOG.DELRIO.

ThoughIwouldgladlyspareyouallneedlessdisagreeabletrouble,Icannot,unluckily,dosoonthisoccasion.Yesterday,insearchingforsomepapers,Ifoundthispile,whichhasbeensenttomerespectingCarl.Idonotquiteunderstandthem,andyouwouldobligememuchbyemployingsomeonetomakeoutaregularstatementofallyouroutlayforCarl,sothatImaysendforitto-morrow.IhopeyoudidnotmisunderstandmewhenIyesterdayalludedto_magnanimity_,whichcertainlywasnotmeantforyou,butsolelyforthe"QueenoftheNight,"whoisneverwearyofhoistingthesailsofhervindictivenessagainstme;soonthisaccountIrequirevouchers,moreforthesatisfactionofothersthanforhersake(asIneverwillsubmittorenderheranyaccountofmyactions).Nostampisrequired,

andthesumaloneforeachquarterneedbespecified,forIbelievemostoftheaccountsareforthcoming;soallyouhavetodoistoappendthemtoyour_prospectus_[theconclusionillegible].

L.V.BEETHOVEN.

197.

TOG.DELRIO.

Nov.14,1816.

MYGOODFRIEND,--

IbegyouwillallowCarltocometometo-morrow,asitistheanniversaryofhisfather'sdeath[Nov.15th],andwewishtovisithisgravetogether.Ishallprobablycometofetchhimbetweentwelveandoneo'clock.IwishtoknowtheeffectofmytreatmentofCarl,afteryourrecentcomplaints.Inthemeantime,ittouchedmeexceedinglytofindhimsosusceptibleastohishonor.BeforeweleftyourhouseIgavehimsomehintsonhiswantofindustry,andwhilewalkingtogetherinagravermoodthanusual,hepressedmyhandvehemently,butmetwithnoresponsefromme.Atdinnerhescarcelyeatanything,andsaidthathefeltverymelancholy,thecauseofwhichIcouldnotextractfromhim.Atlast,inthecourseofourwalk,heownedthat_hewasvexedbecausehehadnotbeensoindustriousasusual_.

IsaidwhatIoughtonthesubject,butinakindermannerthanbefore.This,however,provesacertaindelicacyoffeeling,andsuch_traits_leadmetoaugurallthatisgood.IfIcannotcometoyouto-morrow,IhopeyouwillletmeknowbyafewlinestheresultofmyconferencewithCarl.

Ioncemorebegyoutoletmehavetheaccountdueforthelastquarter.Ithoughtthatyouhadmisunderstoodmyletter,orevenworsethanthat.Iwarmlycommendmypoororphantoyourgoodheart,and,withkindregardstoall,Iremain



Yourfriend,

L.V.BEETHOVEN.

198.

TOG.DELRIO.

MYGOODFRIEND,--

Prayforgivemeforhavingallowedtheenclosedsumtobereadyforyouduringthelasttwelvedaysormore,andnothavingsentit.Ihavebeenverymuchoccupied,andamonlybeginningtorecover,thoughindeedtheword_recovery_hasnotyetbeenpronounced.

Inhaste,withmuchesteem,everyours,

L.V.BEETHOVEN.

199.

TOHERRTSCHISCHKA.

SIR,--

Itiscertainlyofsomemomenttome_nottoappearinafalselight_,whichmustaccountfortheaccompanyingstatementbeingsoprolix.Astothefuturesystemofeducation,IcanatalleventscongratulatemyselfonhavingdoneallthatIcouldpossiblyeffectatpresent_forthebest_,andtrust_thatthefuturemaybeinaccordancewithit_.Butifthewelfareofmynephewdemandsa_change_,Ishallbethefirstnotonlytoproposesuchastep,but_tocarryitout_.Iamnoself-interestedguardian,butIwishtoestablishanewmonumenttomynamethroughmynephew.I_havenoneedofmynephew_,buthehasneedofme.Idletalkandcalumniesarebeneaththedignityofamanwithproperself-respect,andwhatcanbesaidwhen

theseextendeventothesubjectoflinen!!!Thismightcausemegreatannoyance,_butajustmanoughttobeabletobearinjustice_withoutinthe_mostremotedegree_deviatingfromthepathof_right_.InthisconvictionIwillstandfast,andnothingshallmakemeflinch.Todeprivemeofmynephewwouldindeedentailaheavyresponsibility.Asamatterof _policy_aswellasofmorality,suchastepwouldbeproductiveofevilresultstomynephew._Iurgentlyrecommendhisintereststoyou._Asforme,_myactions_for_his_benefit(notformy_own_)mustspeakforme.

Iremain,withesteem,

Yourobedient

BEETHOVEN.

Beingverybusy,andratherindisposed,Imustclaimyourindulgenceforthewritingofthememorial.

200.

WRITTENINENGLISHTOMR.BIRCHALL,--LONDON.



Vienna14.December1816--1055Sailerstette.

DEARSIR,--

IgiveyoumywordofhonorthatIhavesignedanddeliveredthereceipttothehomeFriesandCo.somedaylastAugust,whoastheysayhavetransmittedittoMessrs.CouttsandCo.whereyou'llhavethegoodnesstoapply.SomeerrormighthavetakenplacethatinsteadofMessrs.C.sendingittoyoutheyhavebeendirectedtokeepittillfetched.Excusethisirregularity,butitisnotmyfault,norhadIevertheideaofwithholdingitfromthecircumstanceofthe£5notbeingincluded.ShouldthereceiptnotcomeforthasMessrs.C.,Iamreadytosignanyother,andyoushallhaveitdirectlywithreturnofpost.

IfyoufindVariations--inmystyle--toodearat£30,Iwillabateforthesakeofyourfriendshiponethird--andyouhavetheofferofsuchVariationsasfixedinourformerlettresfor£20eachAir.

PleasetopublishtheSymphonyinAimmediately--aswellastheSonata--andtheTrio--theybeingreadyhere.TheGrandOperaFidelioismywork.ThearrangementforthePianofortehasbeenpublishedhereundermycare,butthescoreoftheOperaitselfisnotyetpublished.IhavegivenacopyofthescoretoMr.NeateunderthesealoffriendshipandwhomIshalldirecttotreatformyaccountincaseanoffershouldpresent.

Ianxiouslyhopeyourhealthisimproving,givemeleavetosubscrivemyself

DearSir

YourveryobedientServ.

LUDWIGVANBEETHOVEN.

201.

TOZMESKALL.

Dec.16,1816.

Withthis,dearZmeskall,youwillreceivemyfriendlydedication[astringedquartet,Op.95],whichmay,Ihope,serveasapleasantmemorialofourlong-enduringfriendshiphere;prayacceptitasaproofofmyesteem,andnotmerelyastheextremeendofathreadlongsincespunout(foryouareoneofmyearliestfriendsinVienna).

Farewell!Bewareofmoulderingfortresses!foranattackonthemwillbemoretryingthanonthoseinabetterstateofpreservation!Asever,

Yourfriend,

BEETHOVEN.

N.B.Whenyouhaveamoment'sleisure,letmeknowtheprobablecostofalivery,withoutlinen,butincludinghatandboots.Strangechangeshavecometopassinmyhouse.Themanisofftothedevil,Iamthankfultosay,whereashiswifeseemsthemoreresolvedtotakeroothere.



202.

TOFRAUVONSTREICHER--NÉESTEIN.

Dec.28,1816.

N----oughttohavegivenyoutheNewYear'sticketsyesterday,butitseemsshedidnotdoso.ThedaybeforeIwasoccupiedwithMaelzel,whosebusinesswaspressing,asheleavesthissosoon;otherwiseyoumaybesurethatIwouldhavehurriedupagaintoseeyou.Yourdearkinddaughterwaswithmeyesterday,butIscarcelyeverrememberbeingsoill;my_preciousservants_wereoccupiedfromseveno'clocktilltenatnightintryingtoheatthestove.Thebittercold,particularlyinmyroom,causedmeachill,andthewholeofyesterdayIcouldscarcelymovealimb.AlldayIwascoughing,andhadthemostsevereheadacheIeverhadinmylife;sobysixo'clockintheeveningIwasobligedtogotobed,whereIstillam,thoughfeelingsomewhatbetter.Yourbrotherdinedwithmeyesterday,andhasshownmegreatkindness.Youareawarethatonthesameday,the27thofDecember,IdischargedB.[Baberl].Icannotendureeitherofthesevilecreatures;IwonderifNanywillbehaveratherbetterfromthedepartureofhercolleague?Idoubtit--butinthatcaseIshallsendher_packing_ withoutanyceremony.Sheistoouneducatedforahousekeeper,indeedquitea_beast_;buttheother,inspiteofherprettyface,iseven_lowerthanthebeasts_.AstheNewYeardrawsnear,Ithinkfiveflorinswillbe

enoughforNany;Ihavenotpaidherthechargefor_makingherspencer_,onaccountofher_badbehaviortoyou_.Theothercertainly_deservesnoNewYear'sgift_;besides,shehasnineflorinsofmineonhand,andwhensheleavesIdon'texpecttoreceivemorethanfourorfiveflorinsofthatsum.Iwishtohave_youropinionaboutallthis_.Prayacceptmybestwishesforyourwelfare,whichareofferedinallsincerity.Iamyourdebtorinsomanyways,thatIreallyoftenfeelquiteashamed.Farewell;ItrustImayalwaysretainyourfriendship.

Now,asever,yourfriend,

L.V.BEETHOVEN.

203.

TOFRAUVONSTREICHER.

Ithankyoufortheinterestyoutakeinme.Iamratherbetter,thoughto-dayagainIhavebeenobligedtoendureagreatdealfromNany;butIshiedhalfadozenbooksatherheadbywayofaNewYear'sgift.Wehavestrippedofftheleaves(bysendingoffBaberl)andloppedoffthebranches,butwemustextirpatethe_roots_,tillnothingisleftbuttheactualsoil.

204.

TOFRAUVONSTREICHER.

Nanyisnotstrictly_honest_,andanodiouslystupid_animal_intothebargain.Suchpeoplemustbemanagednotby_love_butby_fear_.Inowseethisclearly.Heraccount-bookalonecannotshowyoueverythingclearly;youmustoftendropinunexpectedlyatdinner-time,likeanavengingangel,toseewithyourowneyes_what_weactuallyhave.Ineverdineathomenow,_unless_Ihavesomefriendasmyguest,forIhavenowishtopayas



muchforonepersonaswouldserveforfour.Ishall_nowsoon_havemydearsonCarlwithme,soeconomyismorenecessarythanever.Icannotprevailonmyselftogotoyou;Iknowyouwillforgivethis.Iamverysensitive,andnotusedtosuchthings,sothelessoughtItoexposemyselftothem.Inadditiontotwelvekreutzersforbread,Nanyhasarollofwhitebreadeverymorning.Isthisusual?--anditisthesamewiththecook.Adailyrollforbreakfastcomestoeighteenflorinsayear. _Farewell_,and_workwell_forme.Mdlle.NanyiswonderfullychangedforthebettersinceIsentthehalf-dozenbooksatherhead.Probablytheychancedtocomeincollisionwithher_dullbrain_orher_badheart_;atallevents,shenowplaysthepartofapenitentswindler!!!

Inhaste,yours,

BEETHOVEN.

205.

TOFRAUVONSTREICHER.

Nanyyesterdaytookmetotaskinthevulgarmannerusualwithpeopleofher_lowclass_,aboutmycomplainingtoyou;sosheevidentlyknewthatIhadwrittentoyouonthesubject.Allthedevilrybeganagainyesterday

morning,butImadeshortworkofitbythrowingtheheavyarm-chairbesidemybedatB.'shead,whichprocuredmepeacefortherestoftheday.TheyalwaystaketheirrevengeonmewhenIwritetoyou,orwhentheydiscoveranycommunicationbetweenus.

IdothankHeaventhatIeverywherefindmenwhointerestthemselvesinme;oneofthe_mostdistinguishedProfessors_inthisUniversityhasinthekindestmannerundertaken_allthatconcernsCarl'seducation_.IfyouhappentomeetanyoftheGiannatasiosatCzerny's,youhadbetter_knownothingofwhatisgoingonaboutCarl_,andsaythatitis_contrary_tomy_usualhabittodisclosemyplans,aswhenaprojectistoldtoothersitisnolongerexclusivelyyourown_.Theywouldliketointerfereinthematter,andIdonotchoosethatthese_commonplacepeopleshoulddoso,

bothfor_my_ownsakeandCarl's_.Overtheirporticoisinscribed,ingoldenletters,"EducationalInstitution,"whereas"_Non_-EducationalInstitution"wouldbemoreappropriate.

Asfortheservants,thereisonly_onevoice_abouttheirimmorality,towhich_all_theotherannoyancesheremaybeascribed.

PrayreceivemybenedictioninplaceofthatoftheKlosterneuburgers.[1]

Inhaste,yourfriend,

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:FrauvonStreicherwasatthattimeinKlosterneuburg.]

206.

TOFRAUVONSTREICHER.

Judgmentwasexecutedto-dayonthenotoriouscriminal!SheboreitnearlyinthesamespiritasCaesardidBrutus'sdagger,exceptthatintheformercasetruthformedthebasis,whileinhersonlywickedmalice.The



kitchen-maidseemsmorehandythantheformer_ill-conductedbeauty_;shenolongershowsherself,--asignthatshedoesnotexpecta_goodcharacter_fromme,thoughIreallyhadsomethoughtsofgivingherone.Thekitchen-maidatfirstmaderatherawryfaceaboutcarryingwood,&c.

207.


LastdayofDecember,1816.

IhavebeenagainobligedtokeepmyroomeversincetheBurgherconcert,[1]andsometimemustnodoubtelapsebeforeIshallbeabletodismissallprecautionsastomyhealth.Theyearisabouttoclose;andwiththisnewyearmywarmestwishesarerenewedforthewelfareofY.R.H.;butindeedthesehaveneitherbeginningnorendwithme,foreverydayIcherishthesameaspirationsforY.R.H.IfImayventuretoaddawishformyselftotheforegoing,itis,thatImaydailythriveandprospermoreinY.R.H.'sgoodgraces.Themasterwillalwaysstrivenottobeunworthyofthefavorofhisillustriousmasterandpupil.

[K.]

[Footnote1:BeethovendirectedhisAmajorSymphonyintheBurgherconcertintheRoyalRedoutensaalonthe25thDecember,1816.]

208.

TOG.DELRIO.

...Astohismother,sheurgentlyrequestedtoseeCarlinmyhouse.Youhavesometimesseenmetemptedtoplacemoreconfidenceinher,andmyfeelingswouldleadmetoguardagainstharshnesstowardsher,especiallyasitisnotinherpowertoinjureCarl.Butyoumaywellimaginethattooneusuallysoindependentofothers,theannoyancestowhichIamexposed

throughCarlareoftenutterlyinsupportable,andaboveallwithregardtohismother;Iamonlytoogladtohearnothingofher,whichisthecauseofmyavoidinghername.WithrespecttoCarl,Ibegyouwillenforcethestrictestdisciplineonhim,andifherefusestoobeyyourordersortodohisduty,Itrustyouwillatonce_punish_him.Treathimasifhewereyourownchildratherthana_merepupil_,forIalreadytoldyouthatduringhisfather'slifetimeheonlysubmittedtothedisciplineofblows,whichwasabadsystem;still,suchwasthefact,andwemustnotforgetit.

Ifyoudonotseemuchofme,prayascribeitsolelytothelittleinclinationIhaveforsociety,whichissometimesmoredevelopedandsometimesless;andthisyoumightattributetoachangeinmyfeelings,

butitisnotso.Whatisgoodalonelivesinmymemory,andnotwhatispainful.PrayimputethereforesolelytothesehardtimesmynotmorepracticallyshowingmygratitudetoyouonaccountofCarl.God,however,directsallthings;somypositionmayundergoafavorablechange,whenIshallhastentoshowyouhowtrulyIam,withsincereesteem,yourgratefulfriend,

L.V.BEETHOVEN.

IbegyouwillreadthislettertoCarl.



209.

TOG.DELRIO.

CarlmustbeatH.B.'sto-daybeforefouro'clock;Imustrequestyouthereforetoaskhisprofessortodismisshimathalf-pastthreeo'clock;ifthiscannotbemanagedhemustnotgointoschoolatall.Inthelattercase,Iwillcomemyselfandfetchhim;intheformer,IwillmeethiminthepassageoftheUniversity.Toavoidallconfusion,Ibegforanexplicitanswerastowhatyousettle.Asyouhavebeenloudlyaccusedofshowinggreatpartyfeeling,IwilltakeCarlmyself.Ifyoudonotseeme,attributeittomydistressofmind,forIamnowonlybeginningtofeelthefullforceofthisterribleincident.[1]

Inhaste,your

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote1:ProbablythereversalofthefirstdecreeinthelawsuitwithCarl'smother,whoinordertoprocureaverdictmorefavorabletoherclaims,pointedouttotheAustrian"Landrecht,"wherethelawsuithadbeenhithertocarriedon,anerrorintheirproceedings,the"Van,"prefixedto

Beethoven'sname,havingbeenconsideredbythemasignofnobility.Beethovenwascitedtoappear,andontheappointedday,pointingtohisheadandhisheart,hesaid,"Mynobilityishere,andhere."Theproceedingswerethentransferredtothe"magistrate,"whowasinuniversalbadodorfromhismodeofconductinghisbusiness.]

210.

TOG.DELRIO.

Theassertionsofthiswickedwomanhavemadesuchapainfulimpressiononme,thatIcannotpossiblyanswereverypointto-day;to-morrowyoushall

haveadetailedaccountofitall;butonnopretextwhateverallowhertohaveaccesstoCarl,andadheretoyourrulethatsheisonlytoseehimonceamonth.Asshehasbeenoncethismonthalready,shecannotcomeagaintillthenext.

Inhaste,your

BEETHOVEN.

211.

TOHOFRATHVONMOSEL.

1817.

SIR,--

Isincerelyrejoicethatwetakethesameviewastothetermsinusetodenotethepropertimeinmusicwhichhavedescendedtousfrombarbaroustimes.Forexample,whatcanbemoreirrationalthanthegeneralterm _allegro_,whichonlymeans_lively_;andhowfarweoftenarefromcomprehendingtherealtime,sothatthepieceitself_contradictsthe



designation_.Asforthefourchiefmovements,--whichare,indeed,farfrompossessingthetruthoraccuracyofthefourcardinalpoints,--wereadilyagree_todispensewiththem_,butitisquiteanothermatterastothewordsthatindicatethecharacterofthemusic;thesewecannotconsenttodoawaywith,forwhilethetimeis,asitwere,partandparcelofthepiece,the_wordsdenotethespiritinwhichitisconceived_.

SofarasIammyselfconcerned,Ihavelongpurposedgivingupthoseinconsistentterms_allegro_,_andante_,_adagio_,and_presto_;andMaelzel'smetronomefurnishesuswiththebestopportunityofdoingso.Ihere_pledge_myself_nolonger_tomakeuseoftheminanyofmynewcompositions.Itisanotherquestionwhetherwecanbythismeansattainthenecessaryuniversaluseofthemetronome.Iscarcelythinkweshall!Imakenodoubtthatweshallbeloudlyproclaimedas_despots_;butifthecauseitselfweretoderivebenefitfromthis,itwouldatleastbebetterthantoincurthereproachofFeudalism!Inourcountry,wheremusichasbecomeanationalrequirement,andwheretheuseofthemetronomemustbeenjoinedoneveryvillageschoolmaster,thebestplanwouldbeforMaelzeltoendeavortosellacertainnumberofmetronomesbysubscription,atthepresenthigherprices,andassoonasthenumbercovershisexpenses,hecansellthemetronomesdemandedbythenationalrequirementsatsocheaparate,thatwemaycertainlyanticipatetheir_universaluse_and _circulation_.Ofcoursesomepersonsmusttaketheleadingivinganimpetustotheundertaking.Youmaysafelyrelyonmydoingwhatisinmy

power,andIshallbegladtohearwhatpostyoumeantoassigntomeintheaffair.

Iam,sir,withesteem,yourobedient

LUDWIGVANBEETHOVEN.

212.

TOS.A.STEINER,MUSICPUBLISHER,--VIENNA.

HIGHESTBORN!MOSTADMIRABLE!ANDMARVELLOUSLIEUTENANT-GENERAL![1]

Webegyoutogiveusbank-notesfortwenty-fourgoldducatsatyesterday'srateofexchange,andtosendthemtousthiseveningorto-morrow,inorderthatwemayforthwith_remit_and_transmit_them.IshouldbegladandhappyifyourtrustworthyAdjutantweretobringmethese,asIhavesomethingparticulartosaytohim.Hemustforgetallhisresentment,likeagoodChristian;weacknowledgehismeritsanddonotcontesthisdemerits.Inshort,andonceforall,wewishtoseehim.Thiseveningwouldsuitusbest.

Wehavethehonortoremain,mostastoundingLieutenant-General!yourdevoted

GENERALISSIMUS.

[Footnote1:Beethovenstyledhimself"Generalissimus,"HerrA.Steiner"Lieutenant-General,"andhispartner,TobiasHaslinger,"Adjutant"and"Adjutant-General."]

213.

TOLIEUTENANT-GENERALVONSTEINER.--PRIVATE.



PUBLICANDUM,--

Afterdueconsideration,andbytheadviceofourCouncil,wehavedeterminedanddecreedthathenceforthonallourworkspublishedwithGermantitles,theword_Pianoforte_istobereplacedbythatof_HammerClavier_,andourworthyLieutenant-General,hisAdjutant,andallwhomitmayconcern,arechargedwiththeexecutionofthisorder.

InsteadofPianoforte--_HammerClavier_.

Suchisourwillandpleasure.

Givenonthe23dofJanuary,1817,bythe_Generalissimus_.

_Manupropria._

214.

TOSTEINER.

ThefollowingdedicationoccurredtomeofmynewSonata:--

"SonataforthePianoforte,or_HammerClavier_.ComposedanddedicatedtoFrauBaroninDorotheaErtmann--néeGraumann,byLudwigvanBeethoven."

Ifthetitleisalreadyengraved,Ihavethetwofollowingproposalstomake;viz.,thatIpayforonetitle--Imeanthatitshouldbeatmyexpense,orreservedforanothernewsonataofmine,forwhichpurposetheminesoftheLieutenant-General(or_plenotitulo_,Lieutenant-GeneralandFirstCouncillorofState)mustbeopenedtousheritintothelightof

day;thetitletobepreviouslyshowntoagoodlinguist._HammerClavier_ iscertainlyGerman,andsoisthedevice.Honortowhomhonorisdue!Howisit,then,thatIhaveasyetreceivednoreportsofthecarryingoutofmyorders,which,however,havenodoubtbeenattendedto?

Everandalwaysyourattached

_AmicusadAmicumdeAmico._

[Music:Trebleclef.OAd-ju-tant!]

N.B.Ibegyouwillobservethemostprofoundsilenceaboutthededication,asIwishittobeasurprise!

215.

TOZMESKALL.

Jan.30,1817.



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Beethoven's Letters VOL 1 (1790-1826)

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Transcript of Beethoven's Letters VOL 1 (1790-1826)