In my opinion, your best plan would be to select a day when you could give the “Mount of Olives,” which has been everywhere performed.  This would occupy one half of the concert, and the other half might consist of a new symphony, the overtures, and various choruses, and likewise the above-named bass aria and chorus; thus the evening would not be devoid of variety.  But you can settle all this more satisfactorily with the aid of your own musical authorities.  I think I can guess what you mean about a gratuity for me from a third person.  Were I in the same position as formerly, I would at once say, “Beethoven never accepts anything where the benefit of humanity is concerned;” but owing to my own too great benevolence I am reduced to a low ebb, the cause of which, however, does not put me to shame, being combined with other circumstances for which men devoid of honor and principle are alone to blame; so I do not hesitate to say that I would not refuse the contribution of the rich man to whom you allude.[1] But there is no question here of any claim.  If, however, the affair with the third person comes to nothing, pray rest assured that I shall be equally disposed to confer the same benefit as last year on my friends the respected Ursuline ladies, and shall at all times be ready to succor the poor and needy so long as I live.  And now farewell!  Write soon, and I will zealously strive to make all necessary arrangements.  My best wishes for the convent.

I am, with esteem, your friend,

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote 1:  Reichardt, on the 1st March, 1809, writes in his Vertraute Briefe,—­“Beethoven, by ‘a rich third person,’ as the following letter proves, meant Louis Bonaparte, who, after abdicating the Dutch throne, lived in Gratz.”]

102.

TO VARENNA.

MY EXCELLENT V. [VARENNA],—­

I received your letter with much pleasure, but with much displeasure the 100 florins allotted to me by our poor convent ladies; in the mean time I will apply part of this sum to pay the copyists—­the surplus and the accounts for copying shall be sent to these good ladies.

I never accept anything for such a purpose.  I thought that perhaps the third person to whom you alluded might be the Ex-King of Holland, in which case I should have had no scruples, under my present circumstances, in accepting a gratuity from him, who has no doubt taken enough from the Dutch in a less legitimate way; but as it is, I must decline (though in all friendship) any renewal of this subject.

Let me know whether, were I to come myself to Gratz, I could give a concert, and what the receipts would probably be; for Vienna, alas! can no longer continue my place of abode.  Perhaps it is now too late? but any information from you on the point will be very welcome.

The works are being copied, and you shall have them as soon as possible.  You may do just what you please with the Oratorio; where it will be of most use it will best fulfil my intentions.