itude for your kindness. I trust that Y.R.H. will
continue firm, for it is said that Abbe Stadler is endeavoring to procure
the situation in question for some one else. It would also be very
beneficial to Drechsler if Y.R.H. would vouchsafe to speak to Count
Dietrichstein[1] on the subject. I once more request the favor of being
told the date of your return from Baden, when I will instantly hasten into
town to wait on the best master I have in this world. Y.R.H.'s health seems
to be good; Heaven be praised that it is so, for the sake of so many who
wish it, and among this number I may certainly be included.

[K.]

[Footnote 1: Count Moritz Dietrichstein was in 1823 Court director of the
royal band.]

357.

TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH.

I was very much affected on receiving your gracious letter yesterday. To
flourish under the shade of a stately verdant fruit-tree is refreshing to
any one capable of elevated thought and feeling, and thus it is with me
under the aegis of Y.R.H. My physician assured me yesterday that my malady
was disappearing, but I am still obliged to swallow a whole bottle of some
mixture every day, which weakens me exceedingly, and compels me, as Y.R.H.
will see from the enclosed instructions of the physician, to take a great
deal of exercise. I have every hope, however, that soon, even if not
entirely recovered, I shall be able to be a great deal with Y.R.H. during
your stay here. This hope will tend to recruit my health sooner than usual.
May Heaven bestow its blessings on me through Y.R.H., and may the Lord ever
guard and watch over you! Nothing can be more sublime than to draw nearer
to the Godhead than other men, and to diffuse here on earth these godlike
rays among mortals. Deeply impressed by the gracious consideration of
Y.R.H. towards me, I hope very soon to be able to wait on you.

[K.]

358.

TO SCHINDLER.

Baden, September, 1823.

SIGNORE PAPAGENO,--

That your scandalous reports may no longer distress the poor Dresdener, I
must tell you that the money reached me to-day, accompanied by every
possible mark of respect to myself.

Though I should have been happy to offer you a _substantial_ acknowledgment
for the [illegible, effaced by Schindler] you have shown me, I cannot yet
accomplish to the full extent what I have so much at heart. I hope to be
more fortunate some weeks hence. [See No. 329.]

_Per il Signore Nobile, Papageno Schindler._

359.

TO SCHINDLER.

1823.