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LEIPZIG, Nov. 18, 1842.
MY DEAREST FRIEND,--How busy I have been lately you may gather from the
fact of my only answering your delightful letter of the 20th to-day. But
my chief reason for delay was that I wished to answer with due care and
full consideration that part of it which mentions your intention of
returning to Germany. This is a matter of so much importance to all of
us, and I am so immensely delighted at the prospect, that at first I
could not bring myself to think of it quietly and impartially. Now I
have looked at it in every light, and of nothing else will I write
to-day. If you really mean to leave England,--and from what you say I
can no longer doubt you are in earnest,--this is the best time you could
select, particularly if you thought of giving Berlin the preference. It
appears to me that just now, when the King is so unmistakably anxious to
secure for his capital artists of great reputation, a mere hint from you
would suffice to elicit the most acceptable offers from that quarter.
Such a hint is necessary, as, without it, nobody would believe, any more
than I did at first, that you are really inclined to give up your
position in England. Now, you have the very man in London to whom you
might casually drop a word. You are on a confidential footing with him;
and whilst, on the one hand, he has the warmest friendship and esteem
for you, on the other, his suggestions and counsels have the greatest
weight with the King of Prussia. Of course, I mean Bunsen.[48] If you
were to speak to him, mentioning in a general way your intention of
returning to Germany, I am sure a few words would suffice, and he would
do his very best to secure to the King and to Berlin the honor of
possessing you,--for as an honor any town of Germany you may select will
look upon it. That, perhaps, you do not know; but then I do, most
positively. To be sure, there is no official position--I mean no regular
programme of musical duties--suitable for you, any more than there is
for me, or for any musician whose heart is in his work; so my departure
from Berlin would leave no place vacant for another to occupy. The very
fact that no such place exists is the cause of my hesitating so long.
Now, however, it is decided that I am to have nothing to do with the
Berlin public, but only with the King, whose qualities of head and heart
I value so highly that they weigh heavier in the scale than half a dozen
Berlin publics. Whether I am there or not, an excellent and honorable
position would be open to you. But just think how delightful it would be
if I did return, and we lived in the same place and saw our old dreams,
that seemed so unattainable, actually realized! But that is a picture I
will not attempt to draw in this letter. That I may have to return to
Berlin, you see from the above. Probably it may be next year.
But suppose, now, that the thing you thought feasible in Berlin should
take shape in Leipzig! Not that I should think of offering you the post
I have held here, merely as conductor of the Subscription Concerts; but
there is every reason to believe that that office may be supplemented by
the directorship of a musical school, which will probably be started
within the next twelvemonth. Might not a combination of that kind suit
you? The salary would scarcely be more than twelve hundred thalers, to
begin with; but I have no doubt things would soon improve all round. The
King of Saxony will probably grant the funds requisite for founding the
institution; and considering the influential and central position of
Leipzig, I am confident that excellent results might be anticipated. The
principal outlines of the scheme are to be settled before the end of the
year. I am bound up with it, heart and soul. But then the first and most
important question arises, Who is to be at the head of it? Now, just see
how all difficulties would be at once solved if, in answer to that
question, we could put your name! Regular lessons there would be
scarcely any to give,--only the general supervision of the whole
institution to undertake. You would have Hauptmann (who is at the head
of the St. Thomas choir), David, Becker, etc., to work with you; and
there would be the twenty Subscription Concerts to conduct.
Now, what do you think of it? Just turn it over in your mind, and let me
know the result soon, very soon. I fancy these will not be the only
letters we shall exchange on the subject. The matter is of importance,
not only to yourself but to all Germany; and the former consideration,
you know, would be quite enough for me.
So now give me your views as candidly as I have given you mine; and let
me thank you a thousand times, and tell you how proud I am of being
taken into your confidence. I do hope and trust we Germans shall get you
back amongst us.
If you do not like to mention the matter to Bunsen, I am quite ready to
look about for another opening. But Bunsen is the right man, I am
certain. However, first of all, let us see what you think of the two
different plans.
Kindest remembrances to your wife. I will try to fit an orchestral dress
on to the Broadley piece; and if I succeed, will send it to you without
delay. For the present, I am still without books or music, and have
composed nothing but a Sonata for piano and cello. However, the boxes
arrived yesterday; to-morrow we unpack them, and then we will set to
work in good earnest.
Remain ever my friend, as I am yours,