Yours, with sincere esteem,

L. VAN BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote 1:  Zellner, in his Blaetter fuer Musik, relates what follows on Czerny’s own authority:—­In 1818 Czerny was requested by Beethoven in a letter (which he presented some years ago to Cocks, the London music publisher) to play at one of his last concerts in the large Redoutensaal, his E flat major Concerto, Op. 73.  Czerny answered, in accordance with the truth, that having gained his livelihood entirely for many years past by giving lessons on the piano, for more than twelve hours daily, he had so completely laid aside his pianoforte playing, that he could not venture to attempt playing the concerto properly within the course of a few days (which Beethoven desired).  On which he received, in the above letter, a touching proof of Beethoven’s sympathy.  He also learned subsequently that Beethoven had exerted himself to procure him a permanent situation.]

256.

TO F. RIES,—­LONDON.

Vienna, March 5, 1818.

MY DEAR RIES,—­

In spite of my wishes it was impossible for me to go to London this year [see No. 236].  I beg you will apprise the Philharmonic Society that my feeble health prevented my coming; I trust, however, I shall be entirely restored this spring, so that in the autumn I may avail myself of their offers and fulfil all their conditions.

Pray request Neate, in my name, to make no public use of the various works of mine that he has in his hands, at least not until I come.  Whatever he may have to say for himself, I have cause to complain of him.

Potter[1] called on me several times; he seems to be a worthy man, and to have a talent for composition.  My wish and hope for you is that your circumstances may daily improve.  I cannot, alas! say that such is the case with my own....  I cannot bear to see others want, I must give; you may therefore believe what a loser I am by this affair.  I do beg that you will write to me soon.  If possible I shall try to get away from this earlier, in the hope of escaping utter ruin, in which case I shall arrive in London by the winter at latest.  I know that you will assist an unfortunate friend.  If it had only been in my power, and had I not been chained to this place, as I always have been, by circumstances, I certainly would have done far more for you.

Farewell; remember me to Neate, Smart, and Cramer.  Although I hear that the latter is a counter subject both to you and to myself, still I rather understand how to manage people of that kind; so notwithstanding all this we shall yet succeed in producing an agreeable harmony in London.  I embrace you from my heart.  Your friend,

L. VAN BEETHOVEN.

Many handsome compliments to your charming, (and as I hear) handsome wife.

[Footnote 1:  Schindler, in his Biography (Vol.  II. 254), states that Cipriani Potter came to Vienna in 1817.]