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LEIPZIG, Oct. 8, 1846.
MY DEAR FRIEND,--I hasten to answer your kind steamer letter, and to say
that I ordered the rooms in the “Blumenberg” a few days after my return,
according to the memorandum in my pocket-book, which your wife dictated.
I called once more at the hotel, on receiving your letter, and made sure
that all was prepared for your arrival on the 21st. The maid with the
requisite capacity for sewing is engaged, and we have been offered two
most eligible suites of rooms for you, which are now anxiously awaiting
your arrival.
The main point, however, I want to answer, my dear Moscheles, is that
referring to your best mode of travelling. I must decidedly advise you
to take _Extrapost_, not only because it is far more convenient when you
are a party of five going so long a distance, but because I believe it
to be no more expensive, in fact rather less so, than the _Schnellpost_,
_Courier_, or any other means of conveyance, all necessitating your
travelling day and night. The only difficulty might be your not having a
carriage of your own,--that is, if, as I believe, you have not taken one
with you. But it just happens that my mother-in-law, who is here,
intends returning to Frankfurt towards the end of the month or early in
November, and wishes to take _Extrapost_. Now, if you could hire a
carriage, you would have the use of it one way, and my mother-in-law
would be glad to take it for the return journey. Thus the only
difficulty is overcome, and you would be obliging her into the bargain.
I have not the slightest doubt this mode of travelling would be far the
most convenient and agreeable for all of you, and therefore most
decidedly advise it in preference to any other. You know that if you
want to travel as quickly in Germany as you do in England, you must not
take _Extrapost_, but _Courier_-horses, which is expensive, although not
as compared to England. If however you do not care for such extra speed,
you give the postilion a tip of ten or twelve groschen, and you will do
the German mile in about three quarters of an hour. Leaving at seven
o’clock in the morning, you will be the first evening in Butlar, the
second in Weimar, where you will find very good accommodation in the
Erbprinz. Please let me know when you start, and about what time you
expect to be here, so that we may meet and welcome you on your arrival.
Everybody here is rejoicing at the prospect of your coming, especially
the musicians, more especially those of the Conservatorio; but far ahead
of any of them,
Yours,