BEETHOVEN.

N.B.  I shall probably only require my new servant for some months, as, for the sake of my Carl, I must shortly engage a housekeeper.

[Footnote 1:  During a quarrel, the servant scratched Beethoven’s face.]

186.

TO HERR KAUKA.

Baden, Sept. 6, 1816.

MY WORTHY K.,—­

I send you herewith the receipt, according to your request, and beg that you will kindly arrange that I should have the money by the 1st October, and without any deduction, which has hitherto been the case; I also particularly beg you will not assign the money to Baron P. (I will tell you why when we meet; for the present let this remain between ourselves.) Send it either direct to myself, or, if it must come through another person, do not let it be Baron P. It would be best for the future, as the house-rent is paid here for the great house belonging to Kinsky, that my money should be paid at the same time.  This is only my own idea.  The Terzet you heard of will soon be engraved, which is infinitely preferable to all written music; you shall therefore receive an engraved copy, and likewise some more of my unruly offspring.  In the mean time I beg that you will see only what is truly good in them, and look with an indulgent eye on the human frailties of these poor innocents.  Besides, I am full of cares, being in reality father to my late brother’s child; indeed I might have ushered into the world a second part of the “Flauto Magico,” having also been brought into contact with a “Queen of the Night.”  I embrace you from my heart, and hope soon in so far to succeed that you may owe some thanks to my Muse.  My dear, worthy Kauka, I ever am your truly attached friend,

BEETHOVEN.

187.

QUERY?

What would be the result were I to leave this, and indeed the kingdom of Austria altogether?  Would the life-certificate, if signed by the authorities of a non-Austrian place, still be valid?

A tergo.

I beg you will let me know the postage all my letters have cost you.

188.

TO G. DEL RIO.

Sunday, September 22, 1816.

Certain things can never be fully expressed.  Of this nature are my feelings, and especially my gratitude, on hearing the details of the operation on Carl from you.  You will excuse my attempting even remotely to shape these into words.  I feel certain, however, that you will not decline the tribute I gladly pay you; but I say no more.  You can easily imagine my anxiety to hear how my dear son is going on; do not omit to give me your exact address, that I may write to you direct.  After you left this I wrote to Bernhard [Bernard], to make inquiries at your house, but have not yet got an answer; so possibly you may have thought me a kind of half-reckless barbarian, as no doubt Herr B. has neglected to call on you, as well as to write to me.  I can have no uneasiness