Should the affair turn out badly for me by the conduct of the Kinsky family, I will publish it in every newspaper, to their disgrace.  If there had been an heir, and the facts had been told to him in all their truth, just as I narrated them, I am convinced that he would at once have adopted the words and deeds of his predecessor.  Has Dr. Wolf [the previous advocate] shown you the papers, or shall I make you acquainted with them?  As I am by no means sure that this letter will reach you safely, I defer sending you the pianoforte arrangement of my opera “Fidelio,” which is ready to be dispatched.

I hope, in accordance with your usual friendliness, soon to hear from you.  I am also writing to Dr. Wolf (who certainly does not treat any one wolfishly), in order not to arouse his passion, so that he may have compassion on me, and neither take my purse nor my life.

I am, with esteem, your true friend,

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN.

131.

TO COUNT MORITZ LICHNOWSKY.

Baden, Sept. 21, 1841.[1]

MOST ESTEEMED COUNT AND FRIEND,—­

I unluckily only got your letter yesterday.  A thousand thanks for your remembrance of me.  Pray express my gratitude also to your charming Princess Christiane [wife of Prince Carl Lichnowsky].  I had a delightful walk yesterday with a friend in the Bruehl, and in the course of our friendly chat you were particularly mentioned, and lo! and behold! on my return I found your kind letter.  I see you are resolved to continue to load me with benefits.

As I am unwilling you should suppose that a step I have already taken is prompted by your recent favors, or by any motive of the sort, I must tell you that a sonata of mine [Op. 90] is about to appear, dedicated to you.  I wished to give you a surprise, as this dedication has been long designed for you, but your letter of yesterday induces me to name the fact.  I required no new motive thus publicly to testify my sense of your friendship and kindness.  But as for anything approaching to a gift in return, you would only distress me, by thus totally misinterpreting my intentions, and I should at once decidedly refuse such a thing.

I beg to kiss the hand of the Princess for her kind message and all her goodness to me. Never have I forgotten what I owe to you all, though an unfortunate combination of circumstances prevented my testifying this as I could have wished.

From what you tell me about Lord Castlereagh, I think the matter in the best possible train.  If I were to give an opinion on the subject, I should say that Lord Castlereagh ought to hear the work given here before writing to Wellington.  I shall soon be in Vienna, when we can consult together about a grand concert.  Nothing is to be effected at Court; I made the application, but—­but—­

[Music:  Treble clef, C major, 4/4 time, Adagio. al-lein al-lein al-lein]