Baron Pasqualati will no doubt soon call on you again; he also has taken much trouble on my account.  Yes, indeed! it is easy to talk of justice, but to obtain it from others is no easy matter.  In what way can I be of service to you in my own art?  Say whether you prefer my celebrating the monologue of a fugitive king, or the perjury of a usurper—­or the true friends, who, though near neighbors, never saw each other?  In the hope of soon hearing from you—­for being now so far asunder it is easier to hold intercourse than when nearer!—­I remain, with highest esteem,

Your ever-devoted friend,

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote 1:  Kauka evidently had been recently in Vienna without visiting Beethoven.]

149.

TO HERR KAUKA.

1815.

MY DEAR AND WORTHY K.,—­

I have just received from the Syndic Baier in R. the good news that you told him yourself about Prince F.K.  As for the rest, you shall be perfectly satisfied.

I take the liberty to ask you again to look after my interests with the Kinsky family, and I subjoin the necessary receipt for this purpose [see No. 144].  Perhaps some other way may be found, though it does not as yet occur to me, by means of which I need not importune you in future.  On the 15th October [1815] I was attacked by an inflammatory cold, from the consequences of which I still suffer, and my art likewise; but it is to be hoped that I shall now gradually recover, and at all events be able once more to display the riches of my little realm of sweet sounds.  Yet I am very poor in all else—­owing to the times? to poverty of spirit? or what????  Farewell!  Everything around disposes us to profound silence; but this shall not be the case as to the bond of friendship and soul that unites us.  I loudly proclaim myself, now as ever,

Your loving friend and admirer,

BEETHOVEN.

150.

TO HERR KAUKA.

1815.

MY MOST WORTHY FRIEND,—­

My second letter follows that of yesterday, May 2d.  Pasqualati tells me to-day, after the lapse of a month and six days, that the house of Ballabene is too high and mighty to assist me in this matter.  I must therefore appeal to your insignificance (as I myself do not hesitate to be so mean as to serve other people).  My house-rent amounts to 550 florins, and must be paid out of the sum in question.

As soon as the newly engraved pianoforte pieces appear, you shall receive copies, and also of the “Battle,” &c., &c.  Forgive me, forgive me, my generous friend; some other means must be found to forward this affair with due promptitude.

In haste, your friend and admirer,

BEETHOVEN.

151.

TO MR. SALOMON,—­LONDON.[1]

Vienna, June 1, 1815.

MY GOOD FELLOW-COUNTRYMAN,—­