Beethoven's Letters 1790-1826 Volume II Part 30

Convey my affectionate regards and esteem to Zelter,--that faithful prop of true art.

Though convalescent, I still feel very weak. Kindly accept the following token of remembrance from

Your friend,

BEETHOVEN.

[Music: treble clef, C-major.

Das Scho-ne mit dem Guten.]

407.

TO * * *

Vienna.

SIR,--

Being on the point of going into the country, and only very recently recovered from an attack of internal inflammation, I can merely write you a few words. In the pa.s.sage in the "Opferlied," 2d strophe, where it runs thus:--

[Music: C-clef on bottom line, A major, marked "Solostimme".

E-rde.]

I wish it to be written thus:--

[Music: E-rde. (with different notes)]

408.

TO HIS BROTHER JOHANN.

Baden, May 6, 1825.

The bell and bell-pulls, &c., &c., are on no account whatever to be left in my former lodging. No proposal was ever made to these people to take any of my things. Indisposition prevented my sending for it, and the locksmith had not come during my stay to take down the bell; otherwise it might have been at once removed and sent to me in town, as they have no right whatever to retain it. Be this as it may, I am quite determined not to leave the bell there, for I require one here, and therefore intend to use the one in question for my purpose, as a similar one would cost me twice as much as in Vienna, bell-pulls being the most expensive things locksmiths have. If necessary, apply at once to the police. The window in my room is precisely in the same state as when I took possession, but I am willing to pay for it, and also for the one in the kitchen,--2 florins 12 kreutzers for the two. The key I will not pay for, as I found none; on the contrary, the door was fastened or nailed up when I came, and remained in the same condition till I left; there never was a key, so of course neither I myself, nor those who preceded me, could make use of one. Perhaps it is intended to make a collection, in which case I am willing to put my hand in my pocket.

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN.

409.

TO HERR VON SCHLEMMER.[1]

SIR,--

It strikes me as very remarkable that Carl cannot be persuaded to go into good society, where he might amuse himself in a creditable manner. This almost leads me to suspect that he possibly finds recreations, both in the evening and at night, in less respectable company. I entreat you to be on your guard as to this, and on no pretext whatever to allow him to leave the house at night, unless you receive a written request from me to that effect, by Carl. He once paid a visit, with my sanction, to Herr Hofrath Breuning. I strongly recommend this matter to your attention; it is far from being indifferent, either to you or to me; so I would once more urge you to practise the greatest vigilance.

I am, sir,

Your obedient

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote 1: In 1825, his nephew lived with Schlemmer in the Alleenga.s.se, close to the Karlskirche.]

410.

TO HIS NEPHEW.

Frau Schlemmer is to receive, or has already received, her money by our housekeeper. Some letters must be written to-morrow. Let me know what time would suit you best? Your

UNCLE.

I left my pocket-handkerchief with you.

411.[1]

MY DEAR SON,--

I have this moment got your letter. I still feel very weak and solitary, and only read the horrid letter I enclose! I send you 25 florins to buy the books at once, and you can spend the surplus when you require to do so.

Pray bring me back Reisser's note.[2] On Sat.u.r.day, the 14th of May, I will send a carriage into town to fetch you here; the charge is as yet very reasonable. The old woman is to inquire what hour will suit you best; you can set off at any time before six in the evening, so that you need neglect nothing. Perhaps I may come myself, and then your shirts might be purchased; in which case it would be as well if you were to be at liberty by four o'clock; but if I do not come, which is very possible, drive straight here at five or six o'clock in the evening. You will not thus feel so much fatigued, and you can leave this again on Monday, if nothing is neglected by the delay. You can take the money with you for the Correpet.i.tor. Are you aware that this affair of the Correpet.i.tor, including board and lodging, amounts to 2000 florins a year? I can write no more to-day, I can scarcely guide my pen. Show this letter to Reisser.

Your affectionate

FATHER.

[Footnote 1: I have arranged the following notes to his nephew in their probable succession as to time. Schindler has given some of these in his _Biography_, but quite at random, and disjointed, without any reliable chronological order.]

[Footnote 2: Reisser was Vice-Director of the Polytechnic Inst.i.tution, where the nephew had been placed for some time. Reisser had also undertaken the office of his co-guardian. Beethoven sometimes writes _Reissig_.]

412.

TO DR. BRAUNHOFER.

Baden, May 13, 1825.

MY ESTEEMED FRIEND,--

_Doctor._ "How does our patient get on?"

_Patient._ "Still in a bad way, feeling weak and irritable, and I think that at last we must have recourse to stronger medicines, and yet not too violent; surely I might now drink white wine with water, for that deleterious beer is quite detestable. My catarrhal condition is indicated by the following symptoms. I spit a good deal of blood, though probably only from the windpipe. I have constant bleeding from the nose, which has been often the case this winter. There can be no doubt that my digestion is terribly weakened, and in fact my whole system, and, so far as I know my own const.i.tution, my strength will never be recruited by its natural powers."

_Doctor._ "I will prescribe for you, and soon, very soon, shall your health be restored."