The bearer of this is a poor devil! (like many another!!!) You could assist him by asking your gracious master whether he is disposed to purchase one of his small but neat pianos.  I also beg you will recommend him to any of the Chamberlains or Adjutants of the Archduke Carl, to see whether it is possible that H.R.H. would buy one of these instruments for his Duchess.  We therefore request an introduction from the illustrious Turner Meister for this poor devil[1] to the Chamberlains and Adjutants of the household.

Likewise

1

poor devil,

[K.] L. V. BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote 1:  A name cannot now be found for the “poor devil.”]

195.

TO G. DEL RIO.

Nov. 16, 1816.

MY DEAR FRIEND,—­

My household seems about to make shipwreck, or something very like it.  You know that I was duped into taking this house on false pretexts; besides, my health does not seem likely to improve in a hurry.  To engage a tutor under such circumstances, whose character and whose very exterior even are unknown to me, and thus to intrust my Carl’s education to hap-hazard, is quite out of the question, no matter how great the sacrifices which I shall be again called on to make.  I beg you, therefore, to keep Carl for the ensuing quarter, commencing on the 9th.  I will in so far comply with your proposal as to the cultivation of the science of music, that Carl may come to me two or three times a week, leaving you at six o’clock in the evening and staying with me till the following morning, when he can return to you by eight o’clock.  It would be too fatiguing for Carl to come every day, and indeed too great an effort and tie for me likewise, as the lessons must be given at the same fixed hour.

During this quarter we can discuss more minutely the most suitable plan for Carl, taking into consideration both his interests and my own.  I must, alas! mention my own also in these times, which are daily getting worse.  If your garden residence had agreed with my health, everything might have been easily adjusted.  With regard to my debt to you for the present quarter, I beg you will be so obliging as to call on me, that I may discharge it; the bearer of this has the good fortune to be endowed by Providence with a vast amount of stupidity, which I by no means grudge him the benefit of, provided others do not suffer by it.  As to the remaining expenses incurred for Carl, either during his illness or connected with it, I must, for a few days only, request your indulgence, having great calls on me at present from all quarters.  I wish also to know what fee I ought to give Smetana for the successful operation he performed; were I rich, or not in the same sad position in which all are who have linked their fate to this country (always excepting Austrian usurers), I would make no inquiries on the subject; and I only wish you to give me a rough estimate of the proper fee.  Farewell!  I cordially embrace you, and shall always look on you as a friend of mine and of Carl’s.