1816.

I must apologize to you, my good friend, for Carl having come home at so late an hour.  We were obliged to wait for a person who arrived so late that it detained us, but I will not soon repeat this breach of your rules.  As to Carl’s mother, I have now decided that your wish not to see her again in your house shall be acceded to.  This course is far more safe and judicious for our dear Carl, experience having taught me that every visit from his mother leaves a root of bitterness in the boy’s heart, which may injure, but never can benefit him.  I shall strive to arrange occasional meetings at my house, which is likely to result in everything being entirely broken off with her.  As we thoroughly agree on the subject of Carl’s mother, we can mutually decide on the mode of his education.

Your true friend,

BEETHOVEN.

180.

TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH.

Vienna, July 11, 1816.

Your kindness towards me induces me to hope that you will not attribute to any selfish design on my part the somewhat audacious (though only as to the surprise) dedication annexed.  The work[1] was written for Y.R.H., or rather, it owes its existence to you, and this the world (the musical world) ought to know.  I shall soon have the honor of waiting on Y.R.H. in Baden.  Notwithstanding all the efforts of my physician, who will not allow me to leave this, the weakness in my chest is no better, though my general health is improved.  I hope to hear all that is cheering of your own health, about which I am always so much interested.

[K.]

[Footnote 1:  Does Beethoven here allude to the dedication of the Sonata for pianoforte and violin in G major, Op. 96, which, though sold to a publisher in April, 1815, was designated as quite new in the Allgemeine Zeitung on July, 29, 1816?]

181.

WRITTEN IN ENGLISH TO MR. BIRCHALL.

1816.

Received, March, 1816, of Mr. Robert Birchall, music-seller, 133 New Bond Street, London, the sum of one hundred and thirty gold Dutch ducats, value in English currency sixty-five pounds, for all my copyright and interest, present and future, vested or contingent, or otherwise within the United kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in the four following compositions or pieces of music composed or arranged by me, viz.:—­

1st.  A Grand Battle Sinfonia, descriptive of the battle and victory at Vittoria, adapted for the pianoforte and dedicated to his Royal Highness the Prince Regent—­40 ducats.

2d.  A Grand Symphony in the key of A, adapted to the pianoforte and dedicated to—­

3d.  A Grand Trio for the pianoforte, violin, and violoncello in the key of B.

4th.  A Sonata for the pianoforte, with an accompaniment for the violin in the key of G, dedicated to—­

And, in consideration of such payment I hereby, for myself, my executors, and administrators, promise and engage to execute a proper anignment thereof to him, his executors and administrators or anignees, at his or their request and costs, as he or they shall direct.  And I likewise promise and engage as above, that none of the above shall be published in any foreign country, before the time and day fixed and agreed on for such publication between R. Birchall and myself shall arrive.