music, and it is his chief delight and
occupation. I do really regret, knowing his talents, that I cannot devote
myself to him as much as formerly.

I have made various applications to procure you subscribers, and shall let
you know as soon as I receive the answers. I wish you would also send me
your lectures, and likewise Sebastian Bach's five-part Mass, when I will at
once remit you the money for both. Pray, do not imagine that I am at all
guided by self-interest; I am free from all petty vanity; in godlike Art
alone dwells the impulse which gives me strength to sacrifice the best part
of my life to the celestial Muse. From childhood my greatest pleasure and
felicity consisted in working for others; you may therefore conclude how
sincere is my delight in being in any degree of use to you, and in showing
you how highly I appreciate all your merits. As one of the votaries of
Apollo, I embrace you.

Yours cordially,

BEETHOVEN.

Write to me soon about the Archduke, that I may introduce the subject to
his notice; you need take no steps towards seeking permission for the
dedication. It will and ought to be a surprise to him.

389.

TO HIS NEPHEW.

Baden, evening, September 14, 1824.

MY DEAR SON,--,

Whether it rains heavily to-morrow or not, stifling dust or pouring rain
would be equally prejudicial to me. It does grieve me to know that you are
so long with this demon; but, pray, strive to keep out of her way. You must
give her a letter, written in my name, to the manager of the hospital, in
which you must state that she did not come on the 1st, partly because she
was unwell, and also from various people having come here to meet me,
_Basta cosi_!

I send you 40 florins for the singing-master [corepetiteur]. Get a written
receipt from him: how many mistakes are thus avoided! and this should be
done by every one who pays money for another. Did not Holz bring Rampel's
receipt [the copyist] unasked, and do not others act in the same way? Take
the white waistcoat for yourself, and have the other made for me. You can
bring the metronome with you; nothing can be done with it. Bring also your
linen sheets and two coverlets, and some lead-pencils and patterns; be sure
you get the former at the Brandstatt. And now farewell, my dear son; come
to my arms as early as you can,--perhaps to-morrow. [The paper is here torn
away.]

As ever, your faithful

FATHER.

P.S. All that could be done was to send you by the old w