The copyist to-day at last finished the score of the Symphony; so Kirchhoffer and I are only waiting for a favorable opportunity to send it off.  I am still here, being very ill when I arrived, and my health still continues in a most precarious condition, and, good heavens! instead of amusing myself like others at these baths, my necessities compel me to write every day.  I am also obliged to drink the mineral waters besides bathing.  The copy will shortly be sent off; I am only waiting till I hear of an opportunity from Kirchhoffer, for it is too bulky to forward by post.

My last letter must have given you an insight into everything.  I will send you some choruses; let me have any commissions for oratorios as soon as you can, that I may fix the time at once.  I am sorry about the Variations on account of ——­, as I wrote them more for London than here.  This is not my fault.  Answer me very soon, both as to particulars and time.  Kind regards to your family.

355.

TO F. RIES,—­LONDON.

Baden, September 5, 1823.

MY DEAR KIND RIES,—­

I have still no tidings of the Symphony, but you may depend on its soon being in London.  Were I not so poor as to be obliged to live by my pen, I would accept nothing from the Philharmonic Society; but as it is, I must wait till the money for the Symphony is made payable here; though as a proof of my interest and confidence in that Society, I have already sent off the new Overture, and I leave it to them to settle the payment as they please.

My brother, who keeps his carriage, wished also to profit by me; so without asking my permission, he offered this Overture to Boosey, a London publisher.  Pray, tell him that my brother was mistaken with regard to the Overture.  I see now that he bought it from me in order to practise usury with it. O Frater!!

I have never yet received the Symphony you dedicated to me.  If I did not regard this dedication as a kind of challenge to which I am bound to respond, I would ere this have dedicated some work to you.  I always, however, wished first to see yours, and how joyfully would I then testify my gratitude to you in one way or another.

I am, indeed deeply your debtor for your kind services and many proofs of attachment.  Should my health improve by my intended course of baths, I hope to kiss your wife in London in 1824.

Yours, ever,

BEETHOVEN.

356.

TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH.

1823.

I have just heard that Y.R.H. is expected here to-morrow.  If I am still unable to follow the impulse of my heart, I hope you will ascribe it to the state of my eyes.  I am better, but for some days to come I dare not breathe the town air, so prejudicial to my eyes.  I only wish that the next time Y.R.H. returns from Baden, you would be so good as to let me know, and also name the hour at which I am to present myself, and once