" to do
as he pleased with the wine. He sent one bottle of it to Hetzendorf, but
Beethoven at that time had inflamed eyes.]

334.

TO SCHINDLER.

I cannot at present accept these tempting invitations [from Sonntag and
Unger]; so far as my weak eyes permit, I am very busy, and when it is fine,
I go out. I will myself thank these two fair ladies for their amiability.
No tidings from Dresden. I shall wait till the end of this month, and then
apply to a lawyer in Dresden. I will write about Schoberlechner to-morrow.

335.

TO SCHINDLER.

June 18, 1823.

You ought to have perfectly well known that I would have nothing to do with
the affair in question. With regard to my being "liberal," I think I have
shown you that I am so on principle; indeed, I suspect you must have
observed that I even have gone _beyond_ these principles. _Sapienti
sat._[1]

[Footnote 1: Franz Schoberlechner, pianist in Vienna, wrote to Beethoven on
June 25, 1823, to ask him for letters of introduction to Leipzig, Dresden,
Berlin, and Russia, etc. The _maestro_, however, wrote across the letter,
"An active fellow requires no other recommendation than from one
respectable family to another," and gave it back to Schindler, who showed
it to Schoberlechner, and no doubt at his desire urged Beethoven to comply
with his request. Beethoven, however, did not know Schoberlechner, and had
no very high opinion of him, as he played chiefly _bravura_ pieces, and,
besides, on the bills of his concerts, he pompously paraded all his titles,
decorations, and as member of various societies, which gave ample subject
for many a sarcastic remark on the part of Beethoven.]

336.

TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH.

Vienna, June 1, 1823.

I have been always ailing since Y.R.H. left this, and latterly afflicted by
severe inflammation of the eyes, which has now in so far subsided that for
the last eight days I have been able once more to use my sight, though very
sparingly. Y.R.H. will perceive from the enclosed receipt of June 27, the
dispatch of some music. As Y.R.H. seemed to take pleasure in the C minor
Sonata,[1] I thought I did not take too much on myself by surprising Y.R.H.
with the dedication. The Variations[2] have been written out for at least
five or six weeks past, but the state of my eyes did not permit me to
revise them thoroughly myself. My hope of being entirely restored proved
vain. At last I made Schlemmer look them over, so, though they may not lo