...  It is now very evident from all this that if you do not kindly superintend things for me, I, with my infirmities, must meet with the same fate as usual at the hands of these people.  Their ingratitude towards you is what chiefly degrades both of them in my eyes.  But I don’t understand your allusion about gossip? on one occasion alone can I remember having forgotten myself for the moment, but with very different people.  This is all I can say on the subject.  For my part I neither encourage nor listen to the gossip of the lower orders.  I have often given you hints on the subject, without telling you a word of what I had heard.  Away! away! away! with such things!

249.

TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH.

Nussdorf, Sept. 1, 1817.

I hope to be able to join you in Baden; but my invalid condition still continues, and though in some respects improved, my malady is far from being entirely cured.  I have had, and still have, recourse to remedies of every kind and shape; I must now give up the long-cherished hope of ever being wholly restored.  I hear that Y.R.H. looks wonderfully well, and though many false inferences may be drawn from this as to good health, still every one tells me that Y.R.H. is much better, and in this I feel sincerely interested.  I also trust that when Y.R.H. again comes to town, I may assist you in those works dedicated to the Muses.  My confidence is placed on Providence, who will vouchsafe to hear my prayer, and one day set me free from all my troubles, for I have served Him faithfully from my childhood, and done good whenever it has been in my power; so my trust is in Him alone, and I feel that the Almighty will not allow me to be utterly crushed by all my manifold trials.  I wish Y.R.H. all possible good and prosperity, and shall wait on you the moment you return to town.

[K.]

250.

TO G. DEL RIO

Vienna, Nov. 12, 1817.

My altered circumstances render it possible that I may not be able to leave Carl under your care beyond the end of this quarter; so, as in duty bound, I give you this warning a quarter in advance.  Though it is painful to admit it, my straitened circumstances leave me no choice in the matter; had it been otherwise, how gladly would I have presented you with an additional quarter’s payment when I removed Carl, as a slight tribute of my gratitude.  I do hope you will believe that such are my genuine and sincere wishes on the subject.  If on the other hand I leave Carl with you for the ensuing quarter, commencing in February, I will apprise you of it early in January, 1818.  I trust you will grant me this favor, and that I shall not solicit it in vain.  If I ever enjoy better health, so that I can earn more money, I shall not fail to evince my gratitude, knowing well how much more you have done for Carl than I had any right to expect; and I can with truth say that to be obliged to confess my inability to requite your services at this moment, distresses me much.