reste de ce qu'il vous a plus à me comettre. Je vous prie de vouloir payer
la some de 130 Ducats d'Holland come le poste lettre a Mr. Th. Cutts et Co.
de votre ville e de me croire avec toute l'estime et consideration
Votre tres humble Serviteur,
LOUIS VAN BEETHOVEN.
167.
TO CZERNY.[1]
MY DEAR CZERNY,--
Pray give the enclosed to your parents for the dinners the boy had recently
at your house; I positively will not accept these _gratis_. Moreover, I am
very far from wishing that your lessons should remain without
remuneration,--even those already given must be reckoned up and paid for;
only I beg you to have a little patience for a time, as nothing can be
_demanded_ from the widow, and I had and still have heavy expenses to
defray;--but I _borrow_ from you for the moment only. The boy is to be with
you to-day, and I shall come later.
Your friend,
BEETHOVEN.
[Footnote 1: Carl Czerny, the celebrated pianist and composer, for whom
Beethoven wrote a testimonial in 1805 (see No. 42). He gave lessons to
Beethoven's nephew in 1815, and naturally protested against any payment,
which gave rise to the expressions on the subject in many of his notes to
Czerny, of which there appear to be a great number.]
168.
TO CZERNY.[1]
Vienna, Feb. 12, 1816.
DEAR CZERNY,--
I cannot see you to-day, but I will call to-morrow being desirous to talk
to you. I spoke out so bluntly yesterday that I much regretted it
afterwards. But you must forgive this on the part of an author, who would
have preferred hearing his work as he wrote it, however charmingly you
played it. I will, however, _amply_ atone for this by the violoncello
Sonata.[2]
Rest assured that I cherish the greatest regard for you as an artist, and I
shall always endeavor to prove this.
Your true friend,
BEETHOVEN.
[Footnote 1: Czerny, in the _A.M. Zeitung_, 1845, relates:--"On one
occasion (in 1812), at Schuppanzigh's concert, when playing Beethoven's
quintet with wind-instruments, I took the liberty, in my youthful levity,
to make many alterations,--such as introducing difficulties into the
passages, making use of the upper octaves, &c., &c. Beethoven sternly and
deservedly reproached me for this, in the presence of Schuppanzigh, Linke,
and the other performers."]
[Footnote 2: Opera 69, which Czerny (see _A.M. Zeitung_) was to perform
with Linke the following week.]
169.
TO RIES,--LONDON.
Vienna, Feb. 28, 1816.
... For some time past I have been far from well; the loss of my brother
affected both my spirits and my works. Salomon's death grieves me much, as
he was an excellent man whom I have known from my childhood. You are his
executor by will, while I am the guardian of my late poor brother's child.
You can scarcely have had as much vexation from Salomon's death as I have
had from that of my brother!--but I have the sweet consolation of having
rescued a poor innocent child from the hands of an unworthy mother.
Farewell, dear Ries; if I can in any way serve you, look on me as
Your true friend,
BEETHOVEN.
170.
TO GIANNATASIO DEL RIO,--VIENNA.
Feb. 1816.
SIR,--
I have great pleasure in saying that at last I intend to-morrow to place
under your care the dear pledge intrusted to me. But I must impress on you
not to permit any influence on the mother's part to decide when and where
she is to see her son. We can, however, discuss all this more minutely
to-morrow.... You must keep a watchful eye on your servant, for mine was
_bribed by her_ on one occasion. More as to this verbally, though it is a
subject on which I would fain be silent; but the future welfare of the
youth you are to train renders this unpleasant communication necessary. I
remain, with esteem,
Your faithful servant and friend,
BEETHOVEN.
171.
TO G. DEL RIO.
1816.
Your estimable lady, Mdme. A.G. [Giannatasio] is politely requested to let
the undersigned know as soon as possible (that I may not be obliged to keep
it all in my head) how many pairs of stockings, trousers, shoes, and
drawers are required, and how many yards of kerseymere to make a pair of
black trousers for my tall nephew; and for the sake of the "Castalian
Spring" I beg, without any further reminders on my part, that I may receive
an answer to this.
As for the Lady Abbess [a nickname for their only daughter], there shall be
a conference held on Carl's affair to-night, viz., if things are to
continue as they are.
Your well (and ill) born
BEETHOVEN.
172.
TO G. DEL RIO.
1816.
I heard yesterday evening, unluckily at too late an hour, that you had
something to give me; had it not been for this, I would have called on you.
I beg, however, that you will send it, as I have no doubt it is a letter
for me from the "Queen of the Night."[1] Although you gave me permission to
fetch Carl twice already, I must ask you to let him come to me when I send
for him at eleven o'clock to-morrow, as I wish to take him with me to hear
some interesting music. It is also my intention to make him play to me
to-morrow, as it is now some time since I heard him. I hope you will urge
him to study more closely than usual to-day, that he may in some degree
make up for his holiday. I embrace you cordially, and remain,
Yours truly,
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN.
[Footnote 1: The "Queen of the Night" was the name given to Carl's mother
by Beethoven. She was a person of great levity of conduct and bad
reputation, and every effort was made by Beethoven to withdraw her son from
her influence, on which account he at once removed him from her care, and
placed him in this institution. She consequently appealed to the law
against him,--the first step in a long course of legal proceedings of the
most painful nature.]
173.
TO G. DEL RIO.[1]
1816.
I send you, dear sir, the cloak, and also a school-book of my Carl's, and
request you will make out a list of his clothes and effects, that I may
have it copied for myself, being obliged, as his guardian, to look
carefully after his property. I intend to call for Carl to-morrow about
half-past twelve o'clock, to take him to a little concert, and wish him to
dine with me afterwards, and shall bring him back myself. With respect to
his mother, I desire that _under the pretext_ of the boy being _so busy_,
you will not let her see him; no man on earth can know or judge of this
matter better than myself, and by any other line of conduct all my
well-matured plans for the welfare of the child might be materially
injured. I will myself discuss with you when the mother is henceforth to
have access to Carl, for I am anxious on every account to prevent the
occurrence of yesterday ever being repeated. I take all the responsibility
on myself; indeed, so far as I am concerned, the Court conferred on me full
powers, and the authority at once to counteract anything adverse to the
welfare of the boy. If they could have looked on her in the light of an
estimable mother, they assuredly would not have excluded her from the
guardianship of her child. Whatever she may think fit to assert, nothing
has been done in a clandestine manner against her. There was but one voice
in the whole council on the subject. I hope to have no further trouble in
this matter, for the burden is already heavy enough.
From a conversation I had yesterday with Adlersburg [his lawyer], it would
appear that a long time must yet elapse before the Court can decide what
really belongs to the child. In addition to all these anxieties am I also
to endure a persecution such as I have recently experienced, and from which
I thought I _was entirely rescued by your Institution_? Farewell!
I am, with esteem, your obedient
L. V. BEETHOVEN.
[Footnote 1: Beethoven's arbitrary authority had been previously sanctioned
by a decree of the Court, and the mother deprived of all power over her
son.]
174.
TO FERDINAND RIES,--LONDON.
Vienna, March 8, 1816.
My answer has been too long delayed; but I was ill, and had a great press
of business. Not a single farthing is yet come of the ten gold ducats, and
I now almost begin to think that the English are only liberal when in
foreign countries. It is the same with the Prince Regent, who has not even
sent me the cost of copying my "Battle Symphony," nor one verbal or written
expression of thanks. My whole income consists of 3400 florins in
paper-money. I pay 1100 for house-rent, and 900 to my servant and his wife;
so you may reckon for yourself what remains. Besides this, the entire
maintenance of my young nephew devolves on me. At present he is at school,
which costs 1100 florins, and is by no means a good one; so that I must
arrange a proper household and have him with me. How much money must be
made to live at all here! and yet there seems no end to
it--because!--because!--because!--but you know well what I mean.
Some commissions from the Philharmonic would be very acceptable to me,
besides, the concert. Now let me say that my dear scholar Ries must set to
work and dedicate something valuable to me, to which his master may
respond, and repay him in his own coin. How can I send you my portrait? My
kind regards to your wife. I, alas! have none. One alone I wished to
possess, but never shall I call her mine![1] This, however, has not made me
a woman-hater.
Your true friend,
BEETHOVEN.
[Footnote 1: See the statement of Fräulein del Rio in the _Grenzboten_. We
read:--"My father's idea was that marriage alone could remedy the sad
condition of Beethoven's household matters; so he asked him whether he knew
any one, &c., &c. Our long-existing presentiment was then realized." His
love was unfortunate. Five years ago he had become acquainted with a person
with whom he would have esteemed it the highest felicity of his life to
have entered into closer ties; but it was vain to think of it, being almost
an impossibility! a chimera! and yet his feelings remained the same as the
very first day he had seen her! He added, "that never before had he found
such harmony! but no declaration had ever been made, not being able to
prevail on himself to do so." This conversation took place in Sept. 1816,
at Helenenthal, in Baden, and the person to whom he alluded was undoubtedly
Marie L. Pachler-Koschak in Gratz. (See No. 80.)]
175.
TO F. RIES.
Vienna, April 3, 1816.
Neate[1] is no doubt in London by this time. He took several of my works
with him, and promised to do the best he could for me.
The Archduke Rudolph [Beethoven's pupil, see No. 70] also plays your works
with me, my dear Ries; of these "Il Sogno" especially pleased us. Farewell!
Remember me to your charming wife, and to any fair English ladies who care
to receive my greetings.
Your true friend,
BEETHOVEN.
[Footnote 1: Charles Neate, a London artist, as Schindler styles him in his
_Biography_ (II. 254), was on several different occasions for some time
resident in Vienna, and very intimate with Beethoven, whom he tried to
persuade to come to London. He also was of great service in promoting the
sale of his works. A number of Neate's letters, preserved in the Berlin
State Library, testify his faithful and active devotion and attachment to
the master.]
176.
POWER OF ATTORNEY.
Vienna, May 2, 1816.
I authorize Herr v. Kauka, Doctor of Laws in the kingdom of Bohemia,
relying on his friendship, to obtain for me the receipt of 600 florins
W.W., payable at the treasury of Prince Kinsky, from the house of Ballabene
in Prague, and after having drawn the money to transmit the same to me as
soon as possible.
Witness my hand and seal.
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN.
177.
TO F. RIES.
Vienna, June 11, 1816.
MY DEAR RIES,--
I regret much to put you to the expense of postage on my account; gladly as
I assist and serve every one, I am always unwilling myself to have recourse
to others. I have as yet seen nothing of the ten ducats, whence I draw the
inference that in England, just as with us, there are idle talkers who
prove false to their word. I do not at all blame you in this matter. I have
not heard a syllable from Neate; so I do wish you would ask him whether he
has disposed of the F minor Concerto. I am almost ashamed to allude to the
other works I intrusted to him, and equally so of myself, for having given
them to him so confidingly, devoid of all conditions save those suggested
by his own friendship and zeal for my interests.
A translation has been sent to me of an article in the "Morning Chronicle"
on the performance of the Symphony. Probably it will be the same as to this
and all the other works Neate took with him as with the "Battle Symphony;"
the only profit I shall derive will be reading a notice of their
performance in the newspapers.
178.
TO G. DEL RIO.
1816.
MY WORTHY G.,--
I beg you will send Carl to me with the bearer of this letter; otherwise I
shall not be able to see him all day, which would be contrary to his own
interest, as my influence seems to be required; in the same view, I beg you
will give him a few lines with a report of his conduct, so that I may enter
at once on any point where improvement is necessary.
I am going to the country to-day, and shall not return till rather late at
night; being always unwilling to infringe your rules, I beg you will send
some night-things with Carl, so that if we return too late to bring him to
you to-day, I can keep him all night, and take him back to you myself early
next morning.
In haste, always yours,
L. V. BEETHOVEN.
179.
TO G. DEL RIO.
1816.
I must apologize to you, my good friend, for Carl having come home at so
late an hour. We were obliged to wait for a person who arrived so late that
it detained us, but I will not soon repeat this breach of your rules. As to
Carl's mother, I have now decided that your wish not to see her again in
your house shall be acceded to. This course is far more safe and judicious
for our dear Carl, experience having taught me that every visit from his
mother leaves a root of bitterness in the boy's heart, which may injure,
but never can benefit him. I shall strive to arrange occasional meetings at
my house, which is likely to result in everything being entirely broken off
with her. As we thoroughly agree on the subject of Carl's mother, we can
mutually decide on the mode of his education.
Your true friend,
BEETHOVEN.
180.
TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH.
Vienna, July 11, 1816.
Your kindness towards me induces me to hope that you will not attribute to
any _selfish_ design on my part the somewhat audacious (though only as to
the surprise) dedication annexed. The work[1] was written for Y.R.H., or
rather, it owes its existence to you, and this the world (the musical
world) ought to know. I shall soon have the honor of waiting on Y.R.H. in
Baden. Notwithstanding all the efforts of my physician, who will not allow
me to leave this, the weakness in my chest is no better, though my general
health is improved. I hope to hear all that is cheering of your own health,
about which I am always so much interested.
[K.]
[Footnote 1: Does Beethoven here allude to the dedication of the Sonata for
pianoforte and violin in G major, Op. 96, which, though sold to a publisher
in April, 1815, was designated as quite new in the _Allgemeine Zeitung_ on
July, 29, 1816?]
181.
WRITTEN IN ENGLISH TO MR. BIRCHALL.
1816.
Received, March, 1816, of Mr. Robert Birchall, music-seller, 133 New Bond
Street, London, the sum of one hundred and thirty gold Dutch ducats, value
in English currency sixty-five pounds, for all my copyright and interest,
present and future, vested or contingent, or otherwise within the United
kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in the four following compositions or
pieces of music composed or arranged by me, viz.:--
1st. A Grand Battle Sinfonia, descriptive of the battle and victory at
Vittoria, adapted for the pianoforte and dedicated to his Royal Highness
the Prince Regent--40 ducats.
2d. A Grand Symphony in the key of A, adapted to the pianoforte and
dedicated to--
3d. A Grand Trio for the pianoforte, violin, and violoncello in the key of
B.
4th. A Sonata for the pianoforte, with an accompaniment for the violin in
the key of G, dedicated to--
And, in consideration of such payment I hereby, for myself, my executors,
and administrators, promise and engage to execute a proper anignment
thereof to him, his executors and administrators or anignees, at his or
their request and costs, as he or they shall direct. And I likewise promise
and engage as above, that none of the above shall be published in any
foreign country, before the time and day fixed and agreed on for such
publication between R. Birchall and myself shall arrive.
L. VAN BEETHOVEN.
182.
WRITTEN IN FRENCH TO MR. BIRCHALL,--LONDON.
Vienne 22. Juilliet, 1816.
MONSIEUR,--
J'ai reçu la déclaration de proprieté de mes Oeuvres entierement cedé a
Vous pour y adjoindre ma Signature. Je suis tout a fait disposer a seconder
vos voeux si tôt, que cette affaire sera entierement en ordre, en egard de
la petite somme de 10 # d'or la quelle me vient encore pour le fieux de la
Copieture de poste de lettre etc. comme j'avois l'honneur de vous
expliquier dans une note detaillé sur ses objectes. Je vous invite donc
Monsieur de bien vouloir me remettre ces petits objects, pour me mettre
dans l'état de pouvoir vous envoyer le Document susdit. Agrées Monsieur
l'assurance de l'estime la plus parfait avec la quelle j'ai l'honneur de me
dire
LOUIS VAN BEETHOVEN.
Copying . . . . 1. 10. 0.
Postage to Amsterdam 1. 0. 0.
---- Trio . . . 2. 10. --
-----------
£5. 0. 0.
183.
TO G. DEL RIO.
July 28, 1816.
MY GOOD FRIEND,--
Various circumstances compel me to take charge of Carl myself; with this
view permit me to enclose you the amount due at the approaching quarter, at
the expiry of which Carl is to leave you. Do not, I beg, ascribe this to
anything derogatory either to yourself or to your respected institution,
but to other pressing motives connected with Carl's welfare. It is only an
experiment, and when it is actually carried out I shall beg you to fortify
me by your advice, and also to permit Carl sometimes to visit your
institution. I shall always feel the most sincere gratitude to you, and
never can forget your solicitude, and the kind care of your excellent wife,
which has fully equalled that of the best of mothers. I would send you at
least four times the sum I now do, if my position admitted of it; but at
all events I shall avail myself at a future and, I hope, a brighter day, of
every opportunity to acknowledge and to do justice to the foundation _you_
have laid for the moral and physical good of my Carl. With regard to the
"Queen of the Night," our system must continue the same; and as Carl is
about to undergo an operation in your house which will cause him to feel
indisposed, and consequently make him irritable and susceptible, you must
be more careful than ever to prevent her having access to him; otherwise
she might easily contrive to revive all those impressions in his mind which
we are so anxious to avoid. What confidence can be placed in any promise to
reform on her part, the impertinent scrawl I enclose will best prove [in
reference, no doubt, to an enclosed note]. I send it merely to show you how
fully I am justified in the precautions I have already adopted with regard
to her. On this occasion, however, I did not answer like a Sarastro, but
like a Sultan. I would gladly spare you the anxiety of the operation on
Carl, but as it must take place in your house, I beg you will inform me of
the outlay caused by the affair, and the expenses consequent on it, which I
will thankfully repay. Now farewell! Say all that is kind from me to your
dear children and your excellent wife, to whose continued care I commend my
Carl. I leave Vienna to-morrow at five o'clock A.M., but shall frequently
come in from Baden.
Ever, with sincere esteem, your
L. V. BEETHOVEN.
184.
TO G. DEL RIO.
Mdme. A.G. is requested to order several pairs of good linen drawers for
Carl. I intrust Carl to her kindness, and entirely rely on her motherly
care.
185.
TO ZMESKALL.
Baden, September 5, 1816.
DEAR Z.,--
I don't know whether you received a note that I recently left on the
threshold of your door, for the time was too short to enable me to see you.
I must therefore repeat my request about another servant, as the conduct of
my present one is such that I cannot possibly keep him.[1] He was engaged
on the 25th of April, so on the 25th of September he will have been five
months with me, and he received 50 florins on account. The money for his
boots will be reckoned from the third month (in my service), and from that
time at the rate of 40 florins per annum; his livery also from the third
month. From the very first I resolved not to keep him, but delayed
discharging him, as I wished to get back the value of my florins. In the
mean time if I can procure another, I will let this one leave my service on
the 15th of the month, and also give him 20 florins for boot money, and 5
florins a month for livery (both reckoned from the third month), making
altogether 35 florins. I ought therefore still to receive 15 florins, but
these I am willing to give up; in this way I shall at all events receive
some equivalent for my 50 florins. If you can find a suitable person, I
will give him 2 florins a day while I am in Baden, and if he knows how to
cook he can use my firewood in the kitchen. (I have a kitchen, though I do
not cook in it.) If not, I will add a few kreutzers to his wages. As soon
as I am settled in Vienna, he shall have 40 florins a month, and board and
livery as usual, reckoned from the third month in my service, like other
servants. It would be a good thing if he understood a little tailoring. So
now you have my proposals, and I beg for an answer by the 10th of this
month at the latest, that I may discharge my present servant on the 2d,
with the usual fortnight's warning; otherwise I shall be obliged to keep
him for another month, and every moment I wish to get rid of him. As for
the new one, you know pretty well what I require,--_good, steady conduct_,
a _good character_, and _not to be of a bloodthirsty nature_, that I may
feel my life to be safe, as, for the sake of various scamps in this world,
I should like to live a little longer. By the 10th, therefore, I shall
expect to hear from you on this affair. If you don't run restive, I will
soon send you my treatise on the four violoncello strings, very profoundly
handled; the first chapter devoted exclusively to entrails in general, the
second to catgut in particular. I need scarcely give you any further
warnings, as you seem to be quite on your guard against wounds inflicted
before certain fortresses. The most _profound peace_ everywhere prevails!!!
Farewell, my good _Zmeskällchen_! I am, as ever, _un povero musico_ and
your friend,
BEETHOVEN.
N.B. I shall probably only require my new servant for some months, as, for
the sake of my Carl, I must shortly engage a housekeeper.
[Footnote 1: During a quarrel, the servant scratched Beethoven's face.]
186.
TO HERR KAUKA.
Baden, Sept. 6, 1816.
MY WORTHY K.,--
I send you herewith the receipt, according to your request, and beg that
you will kindly arrange that I should have the money by the 1st October,
and without any deduction, which has hitherto been the case; I also
particularly beg _you will not assign the money to Baron P._ (I will tell
you why when we meet; for the present let this remain between ourselves.)
Send it either direct to myself, or, if it must come through another
person, do not let it be Baron P. It would be best for the future, as the
house-rent is paid here for the great house belonging to Kinsky, that my
money should be paid at the same time. This is only my own idea. The Terzet
you heard of will soon be engraved, which is infinitely preferable to all
written music; you shall therefore receive an engraved copy, and likewise
some more of my unruly offspring. In the mean time I beg that you will see
only what is truly good in them, and look with an indulgent eye on the
human frailties of these poor innocents. Besides, I am full of cares, being
in reality father to my late brother's child; indeed I might have ushered
into the world a second part of the "Flauto Magico," having also been
brought into contact with a "Queen of the Night." I embrace you from my
heart, and hope soon in so far to succeed that you may owe some thanks to
my Muse. My dear, worthy Kauka, I ever am your truly attached friend,
BEETHOVEN.
187.
QUERY?
What would be the result were I to leave this, and indeed the kingdom of
Austria altogether? Would the life-certificate, if signed by the
authorities of a non-Austrian place, still be valid?
_A tergo._
I beg you will let me know the postage all my letters have cost you.
188.
TO G. DEL RIO.
Sunday, September 22, 1816.