and the works I sent you were _what they ought to have
been_ (the numerous pirated editions prove the truth of this); but the
Quartet will convince you that, so far from wishing to take my revenge, I
now give you what could not possibly be better, were it intended even for
my best friend.

I beg that you will make no delay, so that I may receive your answer by the
next post; otherwise I must forthwith return you the 360 florins C.M. I
shall, at all events, be rather in a scrape, for there is a person who
wishes to have not only this but another newly finished work of mine,
though he does not care to take only one. It is solely because you have
waited so long (though you are yourself to blame for this) that I separate
the Quartet from the following one, now also completed. (Do you think that
the latter ought to be also offered here? but, of course, cunningly and
warily: _comme marchand coquin!_) You need have no misgivings that I am
sending you something merely to fulfil my promise; no, I assure you on my
honor as an artist that you may place me on a level with the lowest of men,
if you do not find that it is one of my very best works.

388.

TO HANS GEORG NAeGELI,--ZURICH.

Baden, September 9, 1824.

MY MUCH-VALUED FRIEND,--

The Cardinal Archduke is in Vienna, and owing to my health, I am here. I
only yesterday received from him a gracious written consent to subscribe to
your poems, on account of the services you have rendered to the progress of
music. He takes six copies of your work. I will shortly send you the proper
address. An anonymous friend is also on the list of subscribers. I mean
myself, for as you do me the honor to become my panegyrist, I will on no
account allow my name to appear. How gladly would I have subscribed for
more copies, but my means are too straitened to do so. The father of an
adopted son, (the child of my deceased brother,) I must for his sake think
and act for the _future_ as well as for the _present_. I recollect that you
previously wrote to me about a subscription; but at that time I was in very
bad health, and continued an invalid for more than three years, but now I
am better. Send also the complete collection of your lectures direct to the
Archduke Rudolph, and, if possible, dedicate them to him; you are certain
at all events to receive a present, not a very large one probably, but
still better than nothing; put some complimentary expressions in the
preface, for he understands