on.

Your attached

FATHER.

I cannot write much. Send me a few words.[2]

[Footnote 1: It was thus Beethoven named his _pseudo_-brother.]

[Footnote 2: Underneath is written in pencil by another hand, "I shall be
at the usual place at three o'clock, _s'il vous plait_." The whole appears
to be afterwards stroked out.]

416.

TO HIS NEPHEW.

Do send the chocolate at last by the old woman. If Ramler is not already
engaged, he may perhaps drive her over. I become daily thinner, and feel
far from well; and no physician, no sympathizing friends! If you can
possibly come on Sunday, pray do so; but I have no wish to deprive you of
any pleasure, were I only sure that you would spend your Sunday properly
away from me.

I must strive to wean myself from everything; if I were only secure that my
great sacrifices would bring forth worthy fruits!

Your attached

FATHER.

417.

TO HIS NEPHEW.

Wednesday, May 17.

MY DEAR SON,--

The old woman is just come, so you need be under no uneasiness; study
assiduously and rise early, as various things may occur to you in the
morning, which you could do for me. It cannot be otherwise than becoming in
a youth, now in his nineteenth year, to combine his duties towards his
benefactor and foster-father with those of his education and progress. I
fulfilled my obligations towards my own parents. In haste,

Your attached

FATHER.

The old bell-pull is here. The date of my letter is wrong; it is not May
the 17th, but the 18th.

418.

TO HIS NEPHEW.

May 19.

Ask the house agent about a lodging in the Landstrasse, Ungargasse, No.
345, adjoining the Braeuhaus,--four rooms and a kitchen, commanding a view
of the adjacent gardens. I hear there are various others too in the
Hauptstrasse. Give a gulden to the house agent in the Ungargasse, to
promise me the refusal of the lodgings till Saturday, when, if the weather
is not too bad, I mean to come on to fetch you. We must decide to-morrow
whether it is to be hired from Michaelmas or now. If I do come on Saturday,
take care that I find you at home.

Your attached

FATHER.

419.

TO HIS NEPHEW.

Say everything that is kind and amiable from me to my esteemed
fellow-guardian, Dr. v. Reissig; I feel still too feeble to write to him
myself. I hope he will not object to your coming to me here every Saturday
evening. You are well aware that I _never abused_ such a permission when
you were at Bloechlinger's [see No.