For this present from the Elector, the Inspector of the Seminary in
Munich, the Jesuit Gregorius Schilger, thanked him in a letter written
in Latin, of which the following is a literal translation:--
"Most Exalted and Serene Prince and Elector! Most
Gracious Lord and Master!
With most humble reverence, I kiss your gracious hand and your most
valuable gift of your musical compositions, which to the great joy
and with feelings of gratitude of us all, were handed to me, with
your gracious letter, by your Serene Highness' Privy Councillor,
Joannes Rauch. For, is it not a great blessing, not only to the
Gregorian Institution of the Munich Seminary, but also to those on
whom devolves the direction and management of it, that you so
graciously remember them, and present them with a musical treasure
so precious!
We, therefore, throw ourselves at the feet of your Serene Highness,
and before the Archipiscopal Pastoral Staff, and express as well
as it is in our power our most dutiful thanks, with every devotion
and reverence, as we are in duty bound to your sovereign clemency
for ever.
This memorial of your highest favour shall be permanently preserved
in the archives of the Elector's church at Munich, to the
everlasting glory of God, to the honour of the Holy Virgin and of
the Holy Archangel Michael, and in memory of your gracious
condescension.
Moreover, we admire the very great merit of the music of your
Serene Highness not only on account of the high position of its
composer, but also on account of its very pleasing artistic effect,
which has astonished every one, when the music had been carefully
examined by all the Gregorian musicians we summoned to try it. We
all--not only I, who consider myself the most insignificant, but
also the Gregorian disciples--we all pray in deep humility that the
kindly blessings of Heaven may for many years support your Serene
Highness in your beneficent functions, for the advantage of the
Church, and for the consolation of all good people, especially also
for the benefit of your dependants, of whom the Gregorian disciples
delight in being the most humble. Permit me to recommend especially
these, together with myself, your most humble servant, in our
deepest reverence, to your most gracious favour and benevolence. We
thus continually pray with bended knees, venturing to hope with the
most implicit confidence that Heaven's blessing will result to us
from the Archipiscopal Mitre and Pastoral Staff, which we humbly
reverence with our kisses.
Your Serene Highness'
Most humble Servant,
GREGORIUS SCHILGER, Soc. Jesu,
Inspector of the St. Gregorian House.