ithout any reliable
chronological order.]

[Footnote 2: Reisser was Vice-Director of the Polytechnic Institution,
where the nephew had been placed for some time. Reisser had also undertaken
the office of his co-guardian. Beethoven sometimes writes _Reissig_.]

412.

TO DR. BRAUNHOFER.

Baden, May 13, 1825.

MY ESTEEMED FRIEND,--

_Doctor._ "How does our patient get on?"

_Patient._ "Still in a bad way, feeling weak and irritable, and I think
that at last we must have recourse to stronger medicines, and yet not too
violent; surely I might now drink white wine with water, for that
deleterious beer is quite detestable. My catarrhal condition is indicated
by the following symptoms. I spit a good deal of blood, though probably
only from the windpipe. I have constant bleeding from the nose, which has
been often the case this winter. There can be no doubt that my digestion is
terribly weakened, and in fact my whole system, and, so far as I know my
own constitution, my strength will never be recruited by its natural
powers."

_Doctor._ "I will prescribe for you, and soon, very soon, shall your health
be restored."

_Patient._ "How glad I should be to sit down at my writing-table, with some
cheerful companions. Reflect on this proposal." _Finis._

P.S. I will call on you as soon as I come to town, only tell Carl at what
hour I am likely to see you. It would be a good plan to give Carl
directions what I am to do. (I took the medicine only once, and have lost
it.)

I am, with esteem and gratitude,

Your friend,

BEETHOVEN.

[Music: Treble clef, C major, 2/2 time.
Doctor sperrt das Thor dem Todt:
Rote hilft auch aus der Roth.
Doctor sperrt das Thor dem Todt:
Rote hilft auch aus der Roth.]

Written on May 11th, 1825, in Baden, Helenenthal, second floor,
Anton's-Bruecke, near Siechenfeld.

413.

TO HIS NEPHEW.

Baden, May 17.

MY DEAR SON,--

The weather here is abominable, and the cold greater even than yesterday;
so much so that I have scarcely the use of my fingers to write; this is the
case, however, only in the mountains, and more especially in Baden. I
forgot the chocolate to-day, and am sorry to be obliged to trouble you
about it, but all will go better soon. I enclose you 2 florins, to which
you must add 15 kreutzers; send it if possible with the post in the
afternoon; otherwise I shall have none the day after to-morrow; the people
of the house will assist you in this. May God bless you! I