I am, with esteem, your obedient

BEETHOVEN.

P.S.  Say all that is kind from me to the worthy Ursuline ladies.  I rejoice in being able to serve them.

103.

TO ZMESKALL.

Confounded, invited guest! Domanowetz!—­not musical Count, but gobbling Count! dinner Count! supper Count! &c., &c.  The Quartet is to be tried over to-day at ten o’clock or half-past, at Lobkowitz’s.[1] His Highness, whose wits are generally astray, is not yet arrived; so pray join us, if you can escape from your Chancery jailer.  Herzog is to see you to-day.  He intends to take the post of my man-servant; you may agree to give him thirty florins, with his wife obbligata.  Firing, light, and morning livery found.  I must have some one who knows how to cook, for if my food continues as bad as it now is, I shall always be ill.  I dine at home to-day, because I get better wine.  If you will only order what you like, I very much wish you to come to me.  You shall have the wine gratis, and of far better quality than what you get at the scoundrelly “Swan.”

Your very insignificant

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote 1:  Reichardt, in his Vertraute Briefe, writes:  “The beautiful quartets and evening concerts for the Archduke Rudolph still continue at Prince von Lobkowitz’s, although the Prince himself is about to join his battalion in Bohemia.”  Reichardt, Vol.  I. p. 182, calls Lobkowitz “an indefatigable, insatiable, genuine enthusiast for art.”]

104.

TO ZMESKALL.

Feb. 25, 1813.

I have been constantly indisposed, dear Zmeskall, since I last saw you; in the mean time the servant who lived with you before your present one has applied for my situation.  I do not recollect him, but he told me he had been with you, and that you had nothing to say against him, except that he did not dress your hair as you wished.  I gave him earnest-money, though only a florin.  Supposing you have no other fault to find with the man (and if so I beg you will candidly mention it), I intend to engage him, for you know that it is no object with me to have my hair dressed; it would be more to the purpose if my finances could be dressed, or re-dressed.  I hope to get an answer from you to day.  If there is no one to open the door to your servant, let him leave the note in the entrance to the left, and should he find no one there either, he must give it to the porter’s wife below stairs.  May Heaven prosper you in your musical undertakings!  Your

BEETHOVEN,

Miserabilis.

105.

TO ZMESKALL.

Feb. 28, 1813.

Let us leave things as they are for to-day, dear Z., till we meet [and so on about the servant].

Farewell!  Carefully guard the fortresses of the realm, which, as you know, are no longer virgins, and have already received many a shot.

Your friend,