obliged to speak, or write, or think again on such a subject, for mud and
mire are not more pernicious to artistic soil, than such devilry to any
man!!!

247.

TO FRAU VON STREICHER.

As to Frau von Stein [stone], I beg she will not allow Herr von Steiner to
turn into stone, that he may still be of service to me; nor must Frau von
Stein become too stony towards Herr von Steiner, &c.

My good Frau von Streicher, do not play any trick [Streiche] to your worthy
little husband, but rather be to all others Frau von Stein [stone]!!!!

Where are the coverlets for the beds?

[Music: Treble clef.
Where? where?]

248.

TO FRAU VON STREICHER.

... It is now very evident from all this that if _you_ do not kindly
superintend things for me, I, with my _infirmities_, must meet with the
_same fate_ as usual at the hands of these people. Their _ingratitude_
towards you is what chiefly degrades both of them in my eyes. But I don't
understand your allusion about gossip? on one occasion alone can I remember
having forgotten myself for the moment, but _with very different people_.
This is all I can say on the subject. For my part I neither encourage nor
listen to the gossip of the lower orders. I have often given you hints on
the subject, without telling you a word of what I had heard. Away! away!
away! with such things!

249.

TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH.

Nussdorf, Sept. 1, 1817.

I hope to be able to join you in Baden; but my invalid condition still
continues, and though in some respects improved, my malady is far from
being entirely cured. I have had, and still have, recourse to remedies of
every kind and shape; I must now give up the long-cherished hope of ever
being wholly restored. I hear that Y.R.H. looks wonderfully well, and
though many false inferences may be drawn from this as to good health,
still every one tells me that Y.R.H. is much better, and in this I feel
sincerely interested. I also trust that when Y.R.H. again comes to town, I
may assist you in those works dedicated to the Muses. My confidence is
placed on Providence, who will vouchsafe to hear my prayer, and one day set
me free from all my troubles, for I have served Him faithfully from my
childhood, and done good whenever it has been in my power; so my trust is
in Him alone, and I feel that the Almighty will not allow me to be utterly
crushed by all my manifold trials. I wish Y.R.H. all possible good and
prosperity, and shall wait on you the mom