1823.

I have just been enjoying a short walk and composing a Canon, “Grossen Dank, / / /,” when, on returning home, with the intention of writing it out for Y.R.H., I find a petitioner who is under the delusion that his request will be better received if made through me.  What can I do?  A good action cannot be too soon performed, and even a whim must be sometimes humored.  The bearer of this is Kapellmeister Drechsler, of the Josephstadt and Baden Theatre; he wishes to obtain the situation of second Court organist.  He has a good knowledge of thorough bass, and is also a good organist, besides being favorably known as a composer,—­all qualities that recommend him for this situation.  He rightly thinks that the best recommendation to secure him the appointment is that of Y.R.H., who, being yourself so great a connoisseur and performer, know better than any one how to appreciate true merit; and assuredly H.I.  Majesty would prefer such testimony to every other.  I therefore add my entreaties, though with some hesitation, to those of Herr D., relying on the indulgence and kindness of Y.R.H., and in the hope that the illustrious patron and protector of all that is good will do what lies in his power to be of use on this occasion.

My Canon shall be sent to-morrow,[1] together with the confession of my sins, intentional and unintentional, for which I beg your gracious absolution.  My eyes, alas! prevent me from saying to-day as I could wish my hopes and desires that all good may attend you.

P.S.  I ought also to mention that Herr Drechsler is the unsalaried professor of thorough bass at St. Anna’s, and has been so for the last ten years.

[K.]

[Footnote 1:  The Canon, Grossen Dank, / / /, is not to be found in either Breitkopf & Haertel’s or Thayer’s catalogue, nor anywhere else.]

354.

TO F. RIES.

Baden, September 5, 1823.

MY DEAR FRIEND,—­

You advise me to engage some one to look after my affairs; now I did so as to the Variations; that is, my brother and Schindler took charge of them, but how?

The Variations were not to have appeared here till after being published in London; but everything went wrong.  The dedication to Brentano [Antonie v.  Brentano, nee Edlen von Birkenstock] was to be confined to Germany, I being under great obligations to her, and having nothing else to spare at the moment; indeed, Diabelli, the publisher, alone got it from me.  But everything went through Schindler’s hands.  No man on earth was ever more contemptible,—­an arch villain; but I soon sent him packing!  I will dedicate some other work to your wife in the place of this one.  You, no doubt, received my last letter [No. 346].  I think thirty ducats would be enough for one of the Allegri di Bravura, but I should like to publish them here at the same time, which might easily be arranged.  Why should I give up so much profit to these rogues here?  It will not be published here till I am told that it has arrived in London; moreover, you may yourself fix the price, as you best know London customs.