Now, as ever, your friend,

L. V. BEETHOVEN.

203.

TO FRAU VON STREICHER.

I thank you for the interest you take in me.  I am rather better, though to-day again I have been obliged to endure a great deal from Nany; but I shied half a dozen books at her head by way of a New Year’s gift.  We have stripped off the leaves (by sending off Baberl) and lopped off the branches, but we must extirpate the roots, till nothing is left but the actual soil.

204.

TO FRAU VON STREICHER.

Nany is not strictly honest, and an odiously stupid animal into the bargain.  Such people must be managed not by love but by fear.  I now see this clearly.  Her account-book alone cannot show you everything clearly; you must often drop in unexpectedly at dinner-time, like an avenging angel, to see with your own eyes what we actually have.  I never dine at home now, unless I have some friend as my guest, for I have no wish to pay as much for one person as would serve for four.  I shall now soon have my dear son Carl with me, so economy is more necessary than ever.  I cannot prevail on myself to go to you; I know you will forgive this.  I am very sensitive, and not used to such things, so the less ought I to expose myself to them.  In addition to twelve kreutzers for bread, Nany has a roll of white bread every morning.  Is this usual?—­and it is the same with the cook.  A daily roll for breakfast comes to eighteen florins a year. Farewell, and work well for me.  Mdlle.  Nany is wonderfully changed for the better since I sent the half-dozen books at her head.  Probably they chanced to come in collision with her dull brain or her bad heart; at all events, she now plays the part of a penitent swindler!!!

In haste, yours,

BEETHOVEN.

205.

TO FRAU VON STREICHER.

Nany yesterday took me to task in the vulgar manner usual with people of her low class, about my complaining to you; so she evidently knew that I had written to you on the subject.  All the devilry began again yesterday morning, but I made short work of it by throwing the heavy arm-chair beside my bed at B.’s head, which procured me peace for the rest of the day.  They always take their revenge on me when I write to you, or when they discover any communication between us.

I do thank Heaven that I everywhere find men who interest themselves in me; one of the most distinguished Professors in this University has in the kindest manner undertaken all that concerns Carl’s education.  If you happen to meet any of the Giannatasios at Czerny’s, you had better know nothing of what is going on about Carl, and say that it is contrary to my usual habit to disclose my plans, as when a project is told to others it is no longer exclusively your own.  They would like to interfere in the matter, and I do not choose that these commonplace people should do so, both for my own sake and Carl’s.  Over their portico is inscribed, in golden letters, “Educational Institution,” whereas “Non-Educational Institution” would be more appropriate.