[K.]

298.

TO HERR ARTARIA & CO.

Vienna, Dec. 17, 1820.

I thank you warmly for the advance of 150 florins, for which I have made out the receipt in the name of his Imperial Highness the Cardinal, and I beg, as I am in danger of losing one of my bank shares, that you will advance me another 150 florins, which I pledge myself to repay within three months at latest from this date.  As a proof of my gratitude, I engage in this letter to make over to you, as your exclusive property, one of my compositions, consisting of two or more movements, without claiming payment for it hereafter.

Your ever-complaisant

BEETHOVEN.

[L.S.]

299.

TO TOBIAS V. HASLINGER.

Baden, Sept. 10, 1821.

MY VERY DEAR FRIEND,—­

On my way to Vienna yesterday, sleep overtook me in my carriage, which was by no means strange, for having been obliged to rise so early every morning, I never had a good night’s sleep.  While thus slumbering I dreamt that I had gone on a far journey, to no less a place than to Syria, on to Judea, and back, and then all the way to Arabia, when at length I actually arrived at Jerusalem.  The Holy City gave rise to thoughts of the Holy Books.  No wonder then if the man Tobias occurred to me, which also naturally led me to think of our own little Tobias and our great Tobias.  Now during my dream-journey, the following Canon came into my head:—­

[Music:  Bass clef, F major, 2/4 time. Lively in the upper octave.
O Tobias! 
O Tobias!  Dominus Ha—­slinger o!
o! o Tobias!]

But scarcely did I wake when away flew the Canon, and I could not recall any part of it.  On returning here however, next day, in the same carriage, (that of a poor Austrian musician,) I resumed my dream-journey, being, however, on this occasion wide awake, when lo and behold! in accordance with the laws of the association of ideas the same Canon again flashed across me; so being now awake I held it as fast as Menelaus did Proteus, only permitting it to be changed into three parts.

[Music:  Treble, Tenor, and Bass clef staves, F major, 2/4 time. 
O Tobias! 
O Tobias! 
Dominus Ha—­slinger o!]

Farewell!  I intend to send next something composed on Steiner’s name, to show that his is no heart of stone [Stein].  Adieu, my good friend; it is my most heartfelt wish that you may prosper as a publisher; may all credit be given to you, and yet may you never require credit.  Sing daily the Epistles of St. Paul, and daily visit Father Werner, who can show you in his little book how to go straight to heaven.  See, how anxious I am about the welfare of your soul!

I remain always, with infinite pleasure, henceforth and forever,

Your faithful debtor,

BEETHOVEN.

300.

TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH.

Unterdoebling, July 18, 1821.