here. This is not my
fault. Answer me very soon, both as to particulars and time. Kind regards
to your family.

355.

TO F. RIES,--LONDON.

Baden, September 5, 1823.

MY DEAR KIND RIES,--

I have still no tidings of the Symphony, but you may depend on its soon
being in London. Were I not so poor as to be obliged to live by my pen, I
would accept nothing from the Philharmonic Society; but as it is, I must
wait till the money for the Symphony is made payable here; though as a
proof of my interest and confidence in that Society, I have already sent
off the new Overture, and I leave it to them to settle the payment as they
please.

My brother, who keeps his carriage, wished also to profit by me; so without
asking my permission, he offered this Overture to Boosey, a London
publisher. Pray, tell him that my brother was mistaken with regard to the
Overture. I see now that he bought it from me in order to practise usury
with it. _O Frater!!_

I have never yet received the Symphony you dedicated to me. If I did not
regard this dedication as a kind of challenge to which I am bound to
respond, I would ere this have dedicated some work to you. I always,
however, wished first to see yours, and how joyfully would I then testify
my gratitude to you in one way or another.

I am, indeed deeply your debtor for your kind services and many proofs of
attachment. Should my health improve by my intended course of baths, I hope
to kiss your wife in London in 1824.

Yours, ever,

BEETHOVEN.

356.

TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH.

1823.

I have just heard that Y.R.H. is expected here to-morrow. If I am still
unable to follow the impulse of my heart, I hope you will ascribe it to the
state of my eyes. I am better, but for some days to come I dare not breathe
the town air, so prejudicial to my eyes. I only wish that the next time
Y.R.H. returns from Baden, you would be so good as to let me know, and also
name the hour at which I am to present myself, and once more have the good
fortune to see my gracious master. But as it is probable Y.R.H. will not
long remain here, it is the more incumbent on us to take advantage of the
short time at our disposal to carry out our artistic discussions and
practice. I will myself bring "Grossen Dank, / / /," as it must be sent to
Baden. Herr Drechsler thanked me to-day for the _liberty_ I had taken in
recommending him to Y.R.H., who received him so graciously that I beg to
express my warmest grat