n to my Mass to H.M. the King of Saxony, but I will do so by
the next post. In any event I feel assured that you will not think I am one
of those who compose for the sake of paltry gain; but how often do events
occur which constrain a man to act contrary to his inclinations and his
principles? My Cardinal is a benevolent Prince, but means are wanting! I
hope to receive your forgiveness for my apparent importunity. If my poor
abilities can in any way be employed in your service, what extreme pleasure
it would give me.

I am, sir, with esteem,
Your expectant

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote 1: The director-general of the Dresden theatre at that time was
Von Koenneritz, who sent Beethoven forty ducats (requesting a receipt) for
his opera of _Fidelio_, performed with great applause April 29, 1823, and
conducted by C.M. von Weber. Madame Schroeder-Devrient made her _debut_ in
the character of Leonore.]

[Footnote 2: In Weber's _Biography_ it is stated (Vol. II. p. 465) that
Beethoven and Weber exchanged several letters about the performance of
_Fidelio_, and in fact Weber did receive letters from Beethoven on February
16, April 10, and June 9. Unhappily, no part of this correspondence has yet
been discovered, except a fragment of the sketch of a letter written by
Weber of January 28, 1823, which sufficiently proves that Beethoven was
right in calling him his _friend_. It is as follows:--"This mighty work,
teeming with German grandeur and depth of feeling, having been given under
my direction at Prague, had enabled me to acquire the most enthusiastic and
instructive knowledge of its inner essence, by means of which I hope to
produce it before the public here with full effect, provided as I am with
all possible accessories for the purpose. Each performance will be a
festival to me, permitting me to pay that homage to your mighty spirit
which dwells in the inmost recesses of my heart, where love and admiration
strive for the mastery." On October 5 of this year, Weber visited Beethoven
in Baden, with Haslinger and Benedict.]

348.

TO HERR V. KOeNNERITZ,--DRESDEN.

Vienna, July 25, 1823.

SIR,--

Forgive my importunity in sending to your care the enclosed letter from me
to his R.H. Prince Anton of Saxony; it contains an application to his
Majesty the King of Saxony to subscribe to a mass of mine. I recently
mentioned to you that the Cardinal Archduke Rudolph had written to his M.
the King of Saxony about this Mass; I entreat