I anxiously hope your health is improving, give me leave to subscrive myself

Dear Sir

Your very obedient Serv.

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN.

201.

TO ZMESKALL.

Dec. 16, 1816.

With this, dear Zmeskall, you will receive my friendly dedication [a stringed quartet, Op. 95], which may, I hope, serve as a pleasant memorial of our long-enduring friendship here; pray accept it as a proof of my esteem, and not merely as the extreme end of a thread long since spun out (for you are one of my earliest friends in Vienna).

Farewell!  Beware of mouldering fortresses! for an attack on them will be more trying than on those in a better state of preservation!  As ever,

Your friend,

BEETHOVEN.

N.B.  When you have a moment’s leisure, let me know the probable cost of a livery, without linen, but including hat and boots.  Strange changes have come to pass in my house.  The man is off to the devil, I am thankful to say, whereas his wife seems the more resolved to take root here.

202.

TO FRAU VON STREICHER—­NEE STEIN.

Dec. 28, 1816.

N——­ ought to have given you the New Year’s tickets yesterday, but it seems she did not do so.  The day before I was occupied with Maelzel, whose business was pressing, as he leaves this so soon; otherwise you may be sure that I would have hurried up again to see you.  Your dear kind daughter was with me yesterday, but I scarcely ever remember being so ill; my precious servants were occupied from seven o’clock till ten at night in trying to heat the stove.  The bitter cold, particularly in my room, caused me a chill, and the whole of yesterday I could scarcely move a limb.  All day I was coughing, and had the most severe headache I ever had in my life; so by six o’clock in the evening I was obliged to go to bed, where I still am, though feeling somewhat better.  Your brother dined with me yesterday, and has shown me great kindness.  You are aware that on the same day, the 27th of December, I discharged B. [Baberl].  I cannot endure either of these vile creatures; I wonder if Nany will behave rather better from the departure of her colleague?  I doubt it—­but in that case I shall send her packing without any ceremony.  She is too uneducated for a housekeeper, indeed quite a beast; but the other, in spite of her pretty face, is even lower than the beasts.  As the New Year draws near, I think five florins will be enough for Nany; I have not paid her the charge for making her spencer, on account of her bad behavior to you.  The other certainly deserves no New Year’s gift; besides, she has nine florins of mine on hand, and when she leaves I don’t expect to receive more than four or five florins of that sum.  I wish to have your opinion about all this.  Pray accept my best wishes for your welfare, which are offered in all sincerity.  I am your debtor in so many ways, that I really often feel quite ashamed.  Farewell; I trust I may always retain your friendship.