the work given here before writing
to Wellington. I shall soon be in Vienna, when we can consult together
about a grand concert. Nothing is to be effected at Court; I made the
application, but--but--

[Music: Treble clef, C major, 4/4 time, Adagio.
al-lein al-lein al-lein]

_Silentium!!!_

Farewell, my esteemed friend; pray continue to esteem me worthy of your
friendship. Yours,

BEETHOVEN.

A thousand compliments to the illustrious Princess.

[Footnote 1: The date reversed, as written by Beethoven, is here given.]

132.

TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH.

1814.

I perceive that Y.R.H. wishes to try the effect of my music even upon
horses.[1] We shall see whether its influence will cause the riders to
throw some clever summersets. Ha! ha! I can't help laughing at Y.R.H.
thinking of me on such an occasion; for which I shall remain so long as I
live, &c., &c., &c. The horse-music that Y.R.H. desires shall set off to
you full gallop.

[K.]

[Footnote 1: A tournament was held on the 23d November, 1814, in the Royal
Riding School. Beethoven was probably requested by the Archduke to compose
some music for it, which, however, has not been traced.]

133.

TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH.

1814.

It is impossible for me to-day to wait on you, much as I wish it. I am
dispatching the work on Wellington's victory[1] to London. Such matters
have their appointed and fixed time, which cannot be delayed without final
loss. To-morrow I hope to be able to call on Y.R.H.

[K.]

[Footnote 1: The Cantata _Der glorreiche Augenblick_, the poetry by Dr.
Alois Weissenbach, set to music by Beethoven for chorus and orchestra (Op.
136), was first given in Vienna on the 29th November, 1814, and repeated on
the 2d December.]

134.

TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH.

(In a different hand) Dec. 1814.

I really feel that I can never deserve your goodness towards me. I beg to
offer my most respectful thanks for Y.R.H.'s gracious intervention in my
affairs at Prague. I will punctually attend to the score of the Cantata.[1]
I trust Y.R.H. will forgive my not having yet been to see you. After the
concert for the poor, comes one in the theatre, equally for the benefit of
the _impresario in angustia_, for they have felt some just shame, and have
let me off with one third and one half of the usual charges. I have now
some fresh work on hand, and then there is a new opera to be begun,[2] the
subject of which I am about to decide on. Moreover, I am