[Footnote 1:  Charles Neate, a London artist, as Schindler styles him in his Biography (II. 254), was on several different occasions for some time resident in Vienna, and very intimate with Beethoven, whom he tried to persuade to come to London.  He also was of great service in promoting the sale of his works.  A number of Neate’s letters, preserved in the Berlin State Library, testify his faithful and active devotion and attachment to the master.]

176.

POWER OF ATTORNEY.

Vienna, May 2, 1816.

I authorize Herr v.  Kauka, Doctor of Laws in the kingdom of Bohemia, relying on his friendship, to obtain for me the receipt of 600 florins W.W., payable at the treasury of Prince Kinsky, from the house of Ballabene in Prague, and after having drawn the money to transmit the same to me as soon as possible.

Witness my hand and seal.

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN.

177.

TO F. RIES.

Vienna, June 11, 1816.

MY DEAR RIES,—­

I regret much to put you to the expense of postage on my account; gladly as I assist and serve every one, I am always unwilling myself to have recourse to others.  I have as yet seen nothing of the ten ducats, whence I draw the inference that in England, just as with us, there are idle talkers who prove false to their word.  I do not at all blame you in this matter.  I have not heard a syllable from Neate; so I do wish you would ask him whether he has disposed of the F minor Concerto.  I am almost ashamed to allude to the other works I intrusted to him, and equally so of myself, for having given them to him so confidingly, devoid of all conditions save those suggested by his own friendship and zeal for my interests.

A translation has been sent to me of an article in the “Morning Chronicle” on the performance of the Symphony.  Probably it will be the same as to this and all the other works Neate took with him as with the “Battle Symphony;” the only profit I shall derive will be reading a notice of their performance in the newspapers.

178.

TO G. DEL RIO.

1816.

MY WORTHY G.,—­

I beg you will send Carl to me with the bearer of this letter; otherwise I shall not be able to see him all day, which would be contrary to his own interest, as my influence seems to be required; in the same view, I beg you will give him a few lines with a report of his conduct, so that I may enter at once on any point where improvement is necessary.

I am going to the country to-day, and shall not return till rather late at night; being always unwilling to infringe your rules, I beg you will send some night-things with Carl, so that if we return too late to bring him to you to-day, I can keep him all night, and take him back to you myself early next morning.

In haste, always yours,

L. V. BEETHOVEN.

179.

TO G. DEL RIO.