As I do not publish any new work until a year after its composition, and, when I do so, am obliged invariably to give a written assurance to the publisher that no one is in possession of it, you can yourself perceive that I must carefully guard against any possible contingency or casualty as to these pieces.  I must, however, assure you that I shall always be disposed to show the warmest zeal in aid of your charity, and I here pledge myself to send you every year works that exist solely in manuscript, or compositions written expressly for this charitable purpose.  I beg you will also let me know what your future plans are with regard to your institution, that I may act accordingly.

Farewell!  I remain, with the highest consideration,

Your obedient

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN.

84.

TO ZMESKALL.[1]

Feb. 19, 1812.

DEAR Z.,—­

I only yesterday received the written information that the Archduke pays his share in the new paper-money of the full value [Einloesungsschein].  I beg you will write out for me, as nearly as you can, the substance of what you said on Sunday, and which we thought it advisable to send to the other two.  I am offered a certificate that the Archduke is to pay in Einloesungsschein, but I think this unnecessary, more especially as the people about Court, in spite of all their apparent friendship for me, declare that my demands are not just!!!!  O Heaven! aid me in enduring this!  I am no Hercules, to help Atlas in carrying the world, or to strive to do so in his place.  It was only yesterday that I heard the particulars of the handsome manner in which Baron von Kraft had judged and spoken of me to Zisius!  But never mind, dear Z.!  My endurance of these shameful attacks cannot continue much longer; persecuted art will everywhere find an asylum—­Daedalus, though imprisoned in a labyrinth, found wings to carry him aloft.  Oh!  I too shall find wings!

Yours ever,

BEETHOVEN.

If you have time, send me this morning the draft of the memorial;—­probably for nothing, and to receive nothing! so much time is already lost, and only to be kept in suspense by civil words!

[Footnote 1:  The Finance Patent appeared in Austria in 1811, by which the value of money was depreciated by a fifth.  This also affected the salary that Beethoven drew from the Archduke Rudolph, Prince Kinsky, and Prince Lobkowitz.  The first of these gentlemen paid his full share in Einloesungsschein.  Lobkowitz, at the request of Beethoven, soon after did the same; with Kinsky’s share alone difficulties arose subsequently, owing to his death.]

85.

TO VARENNA.

Lent, 1812.