We have the honor to remain, most astounding Lieutenant-General! your devoted

GENERALISSIMUS.

[Footnote 1:  Beethoven styled himself “Generalissimus,” Herr A. Steiner “Lieutenant-General,” and his partner, Tobias Haslinger, “Adjutant” and “Adjutant-General.”]

213.

TO LIEUTENANT-GENERAL VON STEINER.—­PRIVATE.

PUBLICANDUM,—­

After due consideration, and by the advice of our Council, we have determined and decreed that henceforth on all our works published with German titles, the word Pianoforte is to be replaced by that of Hammer Clavier, and our worthy Lieutenant-General, his Adjutant, and all whom it may concern, are charged with the execution of this order.

Instead of Pianoforte—­Hammer Clavier.

Such is our will and pleasure.

Given on the 23d of January, 1817, by the Generalissimus.

Manu propria.

214.

TO STEINER.

The following dedication occurred to me of my new Sonata:—­

“Sonata for the Pianoforte,
or
Hammer Clavier. 
Composed and dedicated to Frau Baronin Dorothea
Ertmann—­nee Graumann,
by
Ludwig van Beethoven.”

If the title is already engraved, I have the two following proposals to make; viz., that I pay for one title—­I mean that it should be at my expense, or reserved for another new sonata of mine, for which purpose the mines of the Lieutenant-General (or pleno titulo, Lieutenant-General and First Councillor of State) must be opened to usher it into the light of day; the title to be previously shown to a good linguist. Hammer Clavier is certainly German, and so is the device.  Honor to whom honor is due!  How is it, then, that I have as yet received no reports of the carrying out of my orders, which, however, have no doubt been attended to?

Ever and always your attached

Amicus ad Amicum de Amico.

[Music:  Treble clef.  O Ad-ju-tant!]

N.B.  I beg you will observe the most profound silence about the dedication, as I wish it to be a surprise!

215.

TO ZMESKALL.

Jan. 30, 1817.

DEAR Z.,—­

You seem to place me on a level with Schuppanzigh, &c., and have distorted the plain and simple meaning of my words.  You are not my debtor, but I am yours, and now you make me so more than ever.  I cannot express to you the pain your gift has caused me, and I must candidly say that I cannot give you one friendly glance in return.  Although you confine yourself to the practice of music, still you have often recourse to the power of imagination, and it seems to me that this not unfrequently leads to uncalled-for caprice on your part; at least, so it appeared to me from your letter after my dedication.  Loving as my sentiments are towards you, and much as I prize all your goodness, still I feel provoked!—­much provoked!—­terribly provoked!