Moreover, I believe Salomon to be as incapable of the baseness of engraving the septet as I am of selling it to him.  I was so scrupulous in the matter, that when applied to by various publishers to sanction a pianoforte arrangement of the septet, I at once declined, though I do not even know whether you proposed making use of it in this way.  Here follow the long-promised titles of the works.  There will no doubt be a good deal to alter and to amend in them; but this I leave to you.  I shall soon expect a letter from you, and, I hope, the works likewise, which I wish to see engraved, as others have appeared, and are about to appear, in connection with these numbers.  I look on your statement as founded on mere rumors, which you have believed with too much facility, or based entirely on supposition, induced by having perchance heard that I had sent the work to Salomon; I cannot, therefore, but feel some coolness towards such a credulous friend, though I still subscribe myself

Your friend,

BEETHOVEN.

23.

DEDICATION TO DR. SCHMIDT.[1]

1801.

MONSIEUR,—­

Je sens parfaitement bien, que la Celebrite de Votre nom ainsi que l’amitie dont Vous m’honorez, exigeroient de moi la dedicace d’un bien plus important ouvrage.  La seule chose qui a pu me determiner a Vous offrir celui-ci de preference, c’est qu’il me paroit d’une execution plus facile et par la meme plus propre a contribuer a la Satisfaction dont Vous jouissez dans l’aimable Cercle de Votre Famille.—­C’est surtout, lorsque les heureux talents d’une fille cherie se seront developpes davantage, que je me flatte de voir ce but atteint.  Heureux si j’y ai reussi et si dans cette faible marque de ma haute estime et de ma gratitude Vous reconnoissez toute la vivacite et la cordialite de mes sentiments.

LOUIS VAN BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote 1:  Grand Trio, Op. 38.]

24.

TO HIS SCHOLAR, FERDINAND RIES.[1]

1801.

DEAR RIES,—­

I send you herewith the four parts corrected by me; please compare the others already written out with these.  I also enclose a letter to Count Browne.  I have told him that he must make an advance to you of fifty ducats, to enable you to get your outfit.  This is absolutely necessary, so it cannot offend him; for after being equipped, you are to go with him to Baden on the Monday of the ensuing week.  I must, however, reproach you for not having had recourse to me long ago.  Am I not your true friend?  Why did you conceal your necessities from me?  No friend of mine shall ever be in need, so long as I have anything myself.  I would already have sent you a small sum, did I not rely on Browne; if he fails us, then apply at once to your

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote 1:  Ries names 1801 as the date of this letter, and it was no doubt during that summer that Count Browne was in Baden.  Ries’s father had assisted the Beethoven family in every way in his power at the time of the mother’s death.]