The inferior paper-money of this country is now reduced to one fifth of its value, and I am paid according to this scale.  After many struggles and considerable loss, I at length succeeded in obtaining the full value; but at this moment the old paper-money has again risen far beyond the fifth part, so that it is evident my salary becomes for the second time almost nil, and there is no hope of any compensation.  My whole income is derived from my works.  If I could rely on a good sale in England, it would doubtless be very beneficial to me.  Pray be assured of my boundless gratitude.  I hope soon, very soon, to hear from you.

I am, with esteem, your sincere friend,

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote 1:  J.P.  Salomon was likewise a native of Bonn, and one of the most distinguished violin-players of his time.  He had been Kapellmeister to Prince Heinrich of Prussia, and then went to London, where he was very active in the introduction of German music.  It was through his agency that Beethoven’s connection with Birchall, the music publisher, first commenced, to whom a number of his letters are addressed.]

[Footnote 2:  Undoubtedly the true reading of these last words, which in the copy before me are marked as “difficult to decipher.”]

152.

TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH.

1815.

Pray forgive my asking Y.R.H. to send me the two Sonatas with violin obbligato[1] which I caused to be transcribed for Y.R.H.  I require them only for a few days, when I will immediately return them.

[K.]

[Footnote 1:  If by the two Sonatas for the pianoforte with violoncello obbligato, Op. 102 is meant, they were composed in July-August, 1815, and appeared on Jan. 13th, 1819.  The date of the letter appears also to be 1815.]

153.

TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH.

1815.

I beg you will kindly send me the Sonata in E minor,[1] as I wish to correct it.  On Monday I shall inquire for Y.R.H. in person. Recent occurrences[2] render it indispensable to complete many works of mine about to be engraved as quickly as possible; besides, my health is only partially restored.  I earnestly entreat Y.R.H. to desire some one to write me a few lines as to the state of your own health.  I trust I shall hear a better—­nay, the best report of it.

[K.]

[Footnote 1:  The letters 152 and 153 speak sometimes expressly of the pianoforte Sonata in E minor, Op. 90, these being engraved or under revision, and sometimes only indicate them.  This Sonata, dedicated to Count Lichnowsky, was composed on August 14th, 1814, and published in June, 1815.]

[Footnote 2:  What “recent occurrences” Beethoven alludes to, unless indeed his well-known misfortunes as to his salary and guardianship we cannot discover.]

154.

TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH.

1815.