I must strive to wean myself from everything; if I were only secure that my great sacrifices would bring forth worthy fruits!

Your attached

FATHER.

417.

TO HIS NEPHEW.

Wednesday, May 17.

MY DEAR SON,—­

The old woman is just come, so you need be under no uneasiness; study assiduously and rise early, as various things may occur to you in the morning, which you could do for me.  It cannot be otherwise than becoming in a youth, now in his nineteenth year, to combine his duties towards his benefactor and foster-father with those of his education and progress.  I fulfilled my obligations towards my own parents.  In haste,

Your attached

FATHER.

The old bell-pull is here.  The date of my letter is wrong; it is not May the 17th, but the 18th.

418.

TO HIS NEPHEW.

May 19.

Ask the house agent about a lodging in the Landstrasse, Ungargasse, No. 345, adjoining the Braeuhaus,—­four rooms and a kitchen, commanding a view of the adjacent gardens.  I hear there are various others too in the Hauptstrasse.  Give a gulden to the house agent in the Ungargasse, to promise me the refusal of the lodgings till Saturday, when, if the weather is not too bad, I mean to come on to fetch you.  We must decide to-morrow whether it is to be hired from Michaelmas or now.  If I do come on Saturday, take care that I find you at home.

Your attached

FATHER.

419.

TO HIS NEPHEW.

Say everything that is kind and amiable from me to my esteemed fellow-guardian, Dr. v.  Reissig; I feel still too feeble to write to him myself.  I hope he will not object to your coming to me here every Saturday evening.  You are well aware that I never abused such a permission when you were at Bloechlinger’s [see No. 276].  Besides, I feel sure of your intercession in support of my request.

Your attached father,

BEETHOVEN.

420.

TO HIS NEPHEW.

Baden, May 23.

I have been assured, though as yet it is only a matter of conjecture, that a clandestine intercourse has been renewed between your mother and yourself.  Am I doomed again to experience such detestable ingratitude?  No! if the tie is to be severed, so be it!  By such ingratitude you will incur the hatred of all impartial persons.  The expressions my brother made use of yesterday before Dr. Reissig (as he says); and your own with respect to Schoenauer (who is naturally adverse to me, the judgment of the Court being the exact reverse of what he desired), were such, that I will not mix myself up with such shameful doings!  No! never more!

If you find the Pactum oppressive, then, in God’s name, I resign you to His holy keeping!  I have done my part, and on this score I do not dread appearing before the Highest of all Judges.  Do not be afraid to come to me to-morrow; as yet I only suspect; God grant that those suspicions may not prove true, for to you it would be an incalculable misfortune, with whatever levity my rascally brother, and perhaps your mother also, may treat the matter to the old woman.  I shall expect you without fail.