I leave it to you, sir, to decide from this statement how and when you can best effect my purpose.  I am unable to send you to-day the application for a subscription to my Mass to H.M. the King of Saxony, but I will do so by the next post.  In any event I feel assured that you will not think I am one of those who compose for the sake of paltry gain; but how often do events occur which constrain a man to act contrary to his inclinations and his principles?  My Cardinal is a benevolent Prince, but means are wanting!  I hope to receive your forgiveness for my apparent importunity.  If my poor abilities can in any way be employed in your service, what extreme pleasure it would give me.

I am, sir, with esteem,
Your expectant

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote 1:  The director-general of the Dresden theatre at that time was Von Koenneritz, who sent Beethoven forty ducats (requesting a receipt) for his opera of Fidelio, performed with great applause April 29, 1823, and conducted by C.M. von Weber.  Madame Schroeder-Devrient made her debut in the character of Leonore.]

[Footnote 2:  In Weber’s Biography it is stated (Vol.  II. p. 465) that Beethoven and Weber exchanged several letters about the performance of Fidelio, and in fact Weber did receive letters from Beethoven on February 16, April 10, and June 9.  Unhappily, no part of this correspondence has yet been discovered, except a fragment of the sketch of a letter written by Weber of January 28, 1823, which sufficiently proves that Beethoven was right in calling him his friend.  It is as follows:—­“This mighty work, teeming with German grandeur and depth of feeling, having been given under my direction at Prague, had enabled me to acquire the most enthusiastic and instructive knowledge of its inner essence, by means of which I hope to produce it before the public here with full effect, provided as I am with all possible accessories for the purpose.  Each performance will be a festival to me, permitting me to pay that homage to your mighty spirit which dwells in the inmost recesses of my heart, where love and admiration strive for the mastery.”  On October 5 of this year, Weber visited Beethoven in Baden, with Haslinger and Benedict.]

348.

TO HERR V. KOeNNERITZ,—­DRESDEN.

Vienna, July 25, 1823.

SIR,—­

Forgive my importunity in sending to your care the enclosed letter from me to his R.H.  Prince Anton of Saxony; it contains an application to his Majesty the King of Saxony to subscribe to a mass of mine.  I recently mentioned to you that the Cardinal Archduke Rudolph had written to his M. the King of Saxony about this Mass; I entreat you to use all your influence in this matter, and I leave it entirely to your own judgment and knowledge of local matters to act as you think best.  Although I do not doubt that the recommendation of my Cardinal will have considerable weight, still the decision of his Majesty cannot fail