Beethoven's Letters 1790-1826 Volume II Part 31

_Patient._ "How glad I should be to sit down at my writing-table, with some cheerful companions. Reflect on this proposal." _Finis._

P.S. I will call on you as soon as I come to town, only tell Carl at what hour I am likely to see you. It would be a good plan to give Carl directions what I am to do. (I took the medicine only once, and have lost it.)

I am, with esteem and grat.i.tude,

Your friend,

BEETHOVEN.

[Music: Treble clef, C major, 2/2 time.

Doctor sperrt das Thor dem Todt: Rote hilft auch aus der Roth.

Doctor sperrt das Thor dem Todt: Rote hilft auch aus der Roth.]

Written on May 11th, 1825, in Baden, Helenenthal, second floor, Anton's-Brucke, near Siechenfeld.

413.

TO HIS NEPHEW.

Baden, May 17.

MY DEAR SON,--

The weather here is abominable, and the cold greater even than yesterday; so much so that I have scarcely the use of my fingers to write; this is the case, however, only in the mountains, and more especially in Baden. I forgot the chocolate to-day, and am sorry to be obliged to trouble you about it, but all will go better soon. I enclose you 2 florins, to which you must add 15 kreutzers; send it if possible with the post in the afternoon; otherwise I shall have none the day after to-morrow; the people of the house will a.s.sist you in this. May G.o.d bless you! I begin to write again very tolerably; still, in this most dreary, cold stormy weather, it is almost impossible to have any clear conceptions. Now as ever,

Your good and loving

FATHER.

414.

TO HIS NEPHEW.

Noon, 1 o'clock.

MY DEAR SON,--

I merely wish to let you know that the old woman is not yet returned,--why, I cannot tell. Inquire immediately at Hobel's in the Kothga.s.se, whether the Hobel who belongs to this place set off from Vienna to Baden? It is really so distressing to me to depend on such people, that if life did not possess higher charms, it would be utterly insupportable in my eyes. You no doubt got my yesterday's letter, and the 2 florins for the chocolate. I shall be obliged to drink coffee to-morrow; perhaps after all it is better for me than chocolate, as the prescriptions of this B. [Braunhofer] have been repeatedly wrong. Indeed he seems to me very ignorant, and a blockhead into the bargain; he must have known about the asparagus. Having dined at the inn to-day, I have a threatening of diarrhoea. I have no more white wine, so I must get it from the inn, and such wine too! for which, however, I pay 3 florins! Two days ago the old woman wrote to me that she wished to end her days in an alms-house; perhaps she will not return to me; so be it in G.o.d's name! she will always be a wicked old woman. She ought to make arrangements with the person whom she knows of. She wrote to me in a very different strain from that in which she spoke to you on Sunday, and said "that the people refused to give up the bell-pull." Who knows whether she may not have some interest in the matter? She went into town yesterday at six o'clock, and I begged her to make haste back here this forenoon; if she still comes, I must go to town the day after to-morrow. Leave a written message to say when I am to see you.... Write me a few lines immediately.

How much I regret troubling you, but you must see that I cannot do otherwise.... Your attached

FATHER.

How distressing to be in such a state here!

To Herr Carl van Beethoven,

Vienna, Alleenga.s.se 72, Karlskirche, 1ter etage, at Herr Schlemmer's.

415.

TO HIS NEPHEW.

MY DEAR SON,--

I sent for the cabinet-maker to-day with the old--witch--to Asinanius'[1]

house. Don't forget the paintings, and the things sent in last summer; at all events look for them. I may perhaps come on Sat.u.r.day; if not, you must come to me on Sunday. May G.o.d watch over you, my dear son.

Your attached

FATHER.

I cannot write much. Send me a few words.[2]

[Footnote 1: It was thus Beethoven named his _pseudo_-brother.]

[Footnote 2: Underneath is written in pencil by another hand, "I shall be at the usual place at three o'clock, _s'il vous plait_." The whole appears to be afterwards stroked out.]

416.

TO HIS NEPHEW.

Do send the chocolate at last by the old woman. If Ramler is not already engaged, he may perhaps drive her over. I become daily thinner, and feel far from well; and no physician, no sympathizing friends! If you can possibly come on Sunday, pray do so; but I have no wish to deprive you of any pleasure, were I only sure that you would spend your Sunday properly away from me.

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 a.s.siduously 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.