Beethoven's Letters 1790-1826 Volume I Part 32

Concerning the expences of copying and packing it is not possible to fix him before hand, they are at any rate not considerable, and you'll please to consider that you have to deal with a man of honor, who will not charge one 6p. more than he is charged for himself. Messrs. Fries & Co. will account with Messrs. Coutts & Co.--The postage may be lessened as I have been told. I offer you of my Works the following new ones. A Grand Sonata for the Pianoforte alone 40. A Trio for the Piano with accomp't of Violin and Violoncello for 50. It is possible that somebody will offer you other works of mine to purchase, for ex. the score of the Grand Symphony in A.--With regard to the arrangement of this Symphony for the Piano I beg you not to forget that you are not to publish it until I have appointed the day of its publication here in Vienna. This cannot be otherwise without making myself guilty of a dishonorable act--but the Sonata with the Violin and the Trio in B fl. may be published without any delay.

With all the _new works_, which you will have of me or which I offer you, it rests with you to name the day of their publication at your own choice: I entreat you to honor me as soon as possible with an answer having many ordres for compositions and that you may not be delayed. My address or direction is

Monsieur Louis van Beethoven

No. 1055 & 1056 Sailerstette 3d. Stock. Vienna.

You may send your letter, if you please, direct to your most humble servant

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN.

192.

TO ZMESKALL.

Oct. 24, 1816.

WELL BORN, AND YET EVIL BORN! (AS WE ALL ARE!)

We are in Baden to-day, and intend to bring the celebrated naturalist Ribini a collection of dead leaves. To-morrow we purpose paying you not only a _visit_ but a _visitation_.

Your devoted

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN.

193.

TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH.

November, 1816.[1]

I have been again much worse, so that I can only venture to go out a little in the daytime; I am, however, getting better, and hope now to have the honor of waiting on Y.R.H. three times a week. Meanwhile, I have many and great cares in these terrible times (which surpa.s.s anything we have ever experienced), and which are further augmented by having become the father since last November of a poor orphan. All this tends to r.e.t.a.r.d my entire restoration to health. I wish Y.R.H. all imaginable good and happiness, and beg you will graciously receive and not misinterpret

Your, &c., &c.

[K.]

[Footnote 1: A year after Carl von Beethoven's death (Nov. 15, 1815).]

194.

TO FREIHERR VON SCHWEIGER.

BEST!

MOST AMIABLE!

FIRST AND FOREMOST TURNER MEISTER OF EUROPE!

The bearer of this is a poor devil! (like many another!!!) You could a.s.sist him by asking your gracious master whether he is disposed to purchase one of his small but neat pianos. I also beg you will recommend him to any of the Chamberlains or Adjutants of the Archduke Carl, to see whether it is possible that H.R.H. would buy one of these instruments for his d.u.c.h.ess. We therefore request an introduction from the ill.u.s.trious _Turner Meister_ for this poor devil[1] to the Chamberlains and Adjutants of the household.

Likewise

1

poor devil,

[K.] L. V. BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote 1: A name cannot now be found for the "poor devil."]

195.

TO G. DEL RIO.

Nov. 16, 1816.

MY DEAR FRIEND,--

My household seems about to make shipwreck, or something very like it. You know that I was duped into taking this house on false pretexts; besides, my health does not seem likely to improve in a hurry. To engage a tutor under such circ.u.mstances, whose character and whose very exterior even are unknown to me, and thus to intrust my Carl's education to hap-hazard, is quite out of the question, no matter how great the sacrifices which I shall be again called on to make. I beg you, therefore, to keep Carl for the ensuing quarter, commencing on the 9th. I will in so far comply with your proposal as to the cultivation of the science of music, that Carl may come to me two or three times a week, leaving you at six o'clock in the evening and staying with me till the following morning, when he can return to you by eight o'clock. It would be too fatiguing for Carl to come every day, and indeed too great an effort and tie for me likewise, as the lessons must be given at the same fixed hour.

During this quarter we can discuss more minutely the most suitable plan for Carl, taking into consideration both his interests and my own. I must, alas! mention my own also in these times, which are daily getting worse. If your garden residence had agreed with my health, everything might have been easily adjusted. With regard to my debt to you for the present quarter, I beg you will be so obliging as to call on me, that I may discharge it; the bearer of this has the good fortune to be endowed by Providence with a vast amount of stupidity, which I by no means grudge him the benefit of, provided others do not suffer by it. As to the remaining expenses incurred for Carl, either during his illness or connected with it, I must, for a few days only, request your indulgence, having great calls on me at present from all quarters. I wish also to know what fee I ought to give Smetana for the successful operation he performed; were I rich, or not in the same sad position in which all are who have linked their fate to this country (always excepting _Austrian usurers_), I would make no inquiries on the subject; and I only wish you to give me a rough estimate of the proper fee.

Farewell! I cordially embrace you, and shall always look on you as a friend of mine and of Carl's.

I am, with esteem, your

L. V. BEETHOVEN.

196.

TO G. DEL RIO.

Though I would gladly spare you all needless disagreeable trouble, I cannot, unluckily, do so on this occasion. Yesterday, in searching for some papers, I found this pile, which has been sent to me respecting Carl. I do not quite understand them, and you would oblige me much by employing some one to make out a regular statement of all your outlay for Carl, so that I may send for it to-morrow. I hope you did not misunderstand me when I yesterday alluded to _magnanimity_, which certainly was not meant for you, but solely for the "Queen of the Night," who is never weary of hoisting the sails of her vindictiveness against me; so on this account I require vouchers, more for the satisfaction of others than for her sake (as I never will submit to render her any account of my actions). No stamp is required, and the sum alone for each quarter need be specified, for I believe most of the accounts are forthcoming; so all you have to do is to append them to your _prospectus_ [the conclusion illegible].

L. V. BEETHOVEN.

197.

TO G. DEL RIO.

Nov. 14, 1816.

MY GOOD FRIEND,--