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BERLIN, Nov. 13, 1845.
MY DEAR FRIEND,--There is a rumor afloat in Leipzig, and I have met with
it more than once since my return, that you might possibly take up your
abode there, and devote yourself chiefly to the Conservatorio, thus
carrying out, to the advantage of the Leipzigers, your old plan of
settling in Germany. I must say I did not put much faith in the report.
The difference between London and Leipzig is so great that I could
scarcely fancy you would ever make up your mind to leave the former for
the latter. But the other day I heard it asserted positively at an
evening party that you had said you were disposed to settle in Leipzig.
Some one had the news from Hamburg. Unlikely as it seems, I cannot help
writing to ask whether there possibly might be some foundation for the
rumor, and, secondly, whether I could do anything to convert such
possibility into a certainty. I need not tell you how anxious I am to
know, and how important the matter is, not only to me, but to all true
lovers of music in Germany. So pray write as soon as possible how it
really stands, and tell me point blank what steps should be taken to
persuade you, if you are to be persuaded at all; or if you are only
thinking of it in a general way and as a possible contingency, then just
give me an outline of your ideas in an equally general way.
Nothing would be better and simpler, to be sure, if you really were
inclined to decide for Leipzig, than to go straight there and to settle
all details personally. But for the present, my only question is whether
there is any truth at all in the report, or whether it is all idle talk,
such as often gets about, without any foundation whatever. I believe, if
you wrote to say there was a remote chance, the Leipzig Town Council
would petition you in a body, the burgomaster at their head. Of my
personal joy I say nothing to-day. I merely write as a Leipziger. When I
heard the report the other day, I was suddenly seized with patriotic
feelings for Leipzig, and I said to myself, “If I could but do something
to bring this about!”
Good-by. I have been here for the last three weeks, to conduct
performances of my “Athalie,” “Œdipus,” and some other things.
Yours ever,