388.

TO HANS GEORG NAeGELI,—­ZURICH.

Baden, September 9, 1824.

MY MUCH-VALUED FRIEND,—­

The Cardinal Archduke is in Vienna, and owing to my health, I am here.  I only yesterday received from him a gracious written consent to subscribe to your poems, on account of the services you have rendered to the progress of music.  He takes six copies of your work.  I will shortly send you the proper address.  An anonymous friend is also on the list of subscribers.  I mean myself, for as you do me the honor to become my panegyrist, I will on no account allow my name to appear.  How gladly would I have subscribed for more copies, but my means are too straitened to do so.  The father of an adopted son, (the child of my deceased brother,) I must for his sake think and act for the future as well as for the present.  I recollect that you previously wrote to me about a subscription; but at that time I was in very bad health, and continued an invalid for more than three years, but now I am better.  Send also the complete collection of your lectures direct to the Archduke Rudolph, and, if possible, dedicate them to him; you are certain at all events to receive a present, not a very large one probably, but still better than nothing; put some complimentary expressions in the preface, for he understands music, and it is his chief delight and occupation.  I do really regret, knowing his talents, that I cannot devote myself to him as much as formerly.

I have made various applications to procure you subscribers, and shall let you know as soon as I receive the answers.  I wish you would also send me your lectures, and likewise Sebastian Bach’s five-part Mass, when I will at once remit you the money for both.  Pray, do not imagine that I am at all guided by self-interest; I am free from all petty vanity; in godlike Art alone dwells the impulse which gives me strength to sacrifice the best part of my life to the celestial Muse.  From childhood my greatest pleasure and felicity consisted in working for others; you may therefore conclude how sincere is my delight in being in any degree of use to you, and in showing you how highly I appreciate all your merits.  As one of the votaries of Apollo, I embrace you.

Yours cordially,

BEETHOVEN.

Write to me soon about the Archduke, that I may introduce the subject to his notice; you need take no steps towards seeking permission for the dedication.  It will and ought to be a surprise to him.

389.

TO HIS NEPHEW.

Baden, evening, September 14, 1824.

MY DEAR SON,—­,

Whether it rains heavily to-morrow or not, stifling dust or pouring rain would be equally prejudicial to me.  It does grieve me to know that you are so long with this demon; but, pray, strive to keep out of her way.  You must give her a letter, written in my name, to the manager of the hospital, in which you must state that she did not come on the 1st, partly because she was unwell, and also from various people having come here to meet me, Basta cosi!