As for the servants, there is only one voice about their immorality, to which all the other annoyances here may be ascribed.

Pray receive my benediction in place of that of the Klosterneuburgers.[1]

In haste, your friend,

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote 1:  Frau von Streicher was at that time in Klosterneuburg.]

206.

TO FRAU VON STREICHER.

Judgment was executed to-day on the notorious criminal!  She bore it nearly in the same spirit as Caesar did Brutus’s dagger, except that in the former case truth formed the basis, while in hers only wicked malice.  The kitchen-maid seems more handy than the former ill-conducted beauty; she no longer shows herself,—­a sign that she does not expect a good character from me, though I really had some thoughts of giving her one.  The kitchen-maid at first made rather a wry face about carrying wood, &c.

207.

TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH.

Last day of December, 1816.

I have been again obliged to keep my room ever since the Burgher concert,[1] and some time must no doubt elapse before I shall be able to dismiss all precautions as to my health.  The year is about to close; and with this new year my warmest wishes are renewed for the welfare of Y.R.H.; but indeed these have neither beginning nor end with me, for every day I cherish the same aspirations for Y.R.H.  If I may venture to add a wish for myself to the foregoing, it is, that I may daily thrive and prosper more in Y.R.H.’s good graces.  The master will always strive not to be unworthy of the favor of his illustrious master and pupil.

[K.]

[Footnote 1:  Beethoven directed his A major Symphony in the Burgher concert in the Royal Redoutensaal on the 25th December, 1816.]

208.

TO G. DEL RIO.

...  As to his mother, she urgently requested to see Carl in my house.  You have sometimes seen me tempted to place more confidence in her, and my feelings would lead me to guard against harshness towards her, especially as it is not in her power to injure Carl.  But you may well imagine that to one usually so independent of others, the annoyances to which I am exposed through Carl are often utterly insupportable, and above all with regard to his mother; I am only too glad to hear nothing of her, which is the cause of my avoiding her name.  With respect to Carl, I beg you will enforce the strictest discipline on him, and if he refuses to obey your orders or to do his duty, I trust you will at once punish him.  Treat him as if he were your own child rather than a mere pupil, for I already told you that during his father’s lifetime he only submitted to the discipline of blows, which was a bad system; still, such was the fact, and we must not forget it.