I am, with esteem, your

L. V. BEETHOVEN.

196.

TO G. DEL RIO.

Though I would gladly spare you all needless disagreeable trouble, I cannot, unluckily, do so on this occasion.  Yesterday, in searching for some papers, I found this pile, which has been sent to me respecting Carl.  I do not quite understand them, and you would oblige me much by employing some one to make out a regular statement of all your outlay for Carl, so that I may send for it to-morrow.  I hope you did not misunderstand me when I yesterday alluded to magnanimity, which certainly was not meant for you, but solely for the “Queen of the Night,” who is never weary of hoisting the sails of her vindictiveness against me; so on this account I require vouchers, more for the satisfaction of others than for her sake (as I never will submit to render her any account of my actions).  No stamp is required, and the sum alone for each quarter need be specified, for I believe most of the accounts are forthcoming; so all you have to do is to append them to your prospectus [the conclusion illegible].

L. V. BEETHOVEN.

197.

TO G. DEL RIO.

Nov. 14, 1816.

MY GOOD FRIEND,—­

I beg you will allow Carl to come to me to-morrow, as it is the anniversary of his father’s death [Nov. 15th], and we wish to visit his grave together.  I shall probably come to fetch him between twelve and one o’clock.  I wish to know the effect of my treatment of Carl, after your recent complaints.  In the mean time, it touched me exceedingly to find him so susceptible as to his honor.  Before we left your house I gave him some hints on his want of industry, and while walking together in a graver mood than usual, he pressed my hand vehemently, but met with no response from me.  At dinner he scarcely eat anything, and said that he felt very melancholy, the cause of which I could not extract from him.  At last, in the course of our walk, he owned that he was vexed because he had not been so industrious as usual.  I said what I ought on the subject, but in a kinder manner than before.  This, however, proves a certain delicacy of feeling, and such traits lead me to augur all that is good.  If I cannot come to you to-morrow, I hope you will let me know by a few lines the result of my conference with Carl.

I once more beg you to let me have the account due for the last quarter.  I thought that you had misunderstood my letter, or even worse than that.  I warmly commend my poor orphan to your good heart, and, with kind regards to all, I remain

Your friend,

L. V. BEETHOVEN.

198.

TO G. DEL RIO.

MY GOOD FRIEND,—­

Pray forgive me for having allowed the enclosed sum to be ready for you during the last twelve days or more, and not having sent it.  I have been very much occupied, and am only beginning to recover, though indeed the word recovery has not yet been pronounced.