In spite of my anxiety to serve the cause of your charity, I have been quite unable to do so.  I have no copyist of my own to write for me as formerly, and the limited time renders it impossible for me to do so myself; thus I am obliged to have recourse to strangers as copyists.  One of these promised to write out the Overtures, &c., &c., for you; but Passion Week intervening, when there are so many concerts, prevented his being able to keep his word, in spite of every effort on my part.  Even if the Overtures and the March with Chorus were transcribed, it would not be possible to send them by this post, and if we wait for the next, the music will arrive too late for Easter Sunday.  Let me know if there are any means you could adopt to gain a little more time, or any chance opportunity of sending these works to you, and I will do all that lies in my power to aid the cause of your charity.

I am, with esteem, yours obediently,

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN.

86.

TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH.[1]

1812.

YOUR IMPERIAL HIGHNESS,—­

I was much vexed not to receive Y.I.H.’s message to come to you till very late yesterday evening—­indeed nearly at eleven o’clock.  Contrary to my usual custom, I did not go home at all during the afternoon, the fine weather having tempted me to spend the whole afternoon in walking, and the evening at the Banda, “auf der Wieden,” and thus I was not aware of your wish till I returned home.  In the mean time, whenever Y.I.H. desires it, I am ready at any hour or moment to place myself at your disposal.  I therefore await your gracious commands.

I am your Imperial Highness’s most obedient

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote 1:  The date 1812 is marked on the sheet by another hand, and the close of the second note proves that it was at the commencement of this year.]

87.

TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH.

1812.

YOUR IMPERIAL HIGHNESS,—­

I was unable till to-day, when I leave my bed for the first time, to answer your gracious letter.  It will be impossible for me to wait on you to-morrow, but perhaps the day after.  I have suffered much during the last few days, and I may say two-fold from not being in a condition to devote a great part of my time to you, according to my heartfelt wish.  I hope now, however, to have cleared off all scores for spring and summer (I mean as to health).

I am your Imperial Highness’s most obedient servant,

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN.

88.

TO VARENNA,—­GRATZ.

Vienna, May 8, 1812.

SIR,—­