TO ZMESKALL.

DEAR Z.,--

Forward the accompanying letter to-day without fail to Brunswick, that it
may arrive as soon and as safely as possible. Excuse the trouble I give
you. I have been again applied to, to send some of my works to Gratz, in
Styria, for a concert to be given in aid of the Ursuline convent and its
schools: last year they had very large receipts by this means. Including
this concert, and one I gave in Carlsbad for the benefit of the sufferers
from fire at Baden, three concerts have been given by me, and through me,
for benevolent purposes in one year; and yet if I ask a favor, people are
as deaf as a post. Your

BEETHOVEN.

I. Letter to Sclowonowitsch (Maitre des bureaux des postes) in Cassel. I
can no longer do without the books of Tiedge and Frau von der Recke, as I
am expected to give some opinion about them.

101.

TO HERR JOSEPH VARENNA,--GRATZ.

MY GOOD SIR,--

Rode was not quite correct in all that he said of me; my health is not
particularly good, and from no fault of my own,--my present condition being
the most unfortunate of my life. But neither this nor anything in the world
shall prevent me from assisting, so far as it lies in my power, the
innocent and distressed ladies of your convent by my poor works. I
therefore place at your disposal two new symphonies, a bass aria with
chorus, and several minor choruses; if you desire again to perform
"Hungaria's Benefactors," which you gave last year, it is also at your
service. Among the choruses you will find a "Dervise Chorus," a capital
bait for a mixed public.

In my opinion, your best plan would be to select a day when you could give
the "Mount of Olives," which has been everywhere performed. This would
occupy one half of the concert, and the other half might consist of a new
symphony, the overtures, and various choruses, and likewise the above-named
bass aria and chorus; thus the evening would not be devoid of variety. But
you can settle all this more satisfactorily with the aid of your own
musical authorities. I think I can guess what you mean about a gratuity for
me from a _third person_. Were I in the same position as formerly, I would
at once say, "Beethoven never accepts anything _where the benefit of
humanity is concerned_;" but owing to my own too great benevolence I am
reduced to a low ebb, the cause of which, however, does not put me to
shame, being combined with other circumstances for which men devoid of
honor and pri