LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN.

[Written on the outside.]

Thus, then, I take leave of you, and with sadness too.  The fond hope I brought with me here, of being to a certain degree cured, now utterly forsakes me.  As autumn leaves fall and wither, so are my hopes blighted.  Almost as I came, I depart.  Even the lofty courage that so often animated me in the lovely days of summer is gone forever.  O Providence! vouchsafe me one day of pure felicity!  How long have I been estranged from the glad echo of true joy!  When!  O my God! when shall I again feel it in the temple of nature and of man?—­never?  Ah! that would be too hard!

To be read and fulfilled after my death by my brothers Carl and Johann.

TO THE ROYAL AND IMPERIAL HIGH COURT OF APPEAL

JANUARY 7th, 1820.

The welfare of my nephew is dearer to my heart than it can be to any one else.  I am myself childless, and have no relations except this boy, who is full of talent, and I have good grounds to hope the best for him, if properly trained.

* * * * *

My efforts and wishes have no other aim than to give the boy the best possible education—­his abilities justifying the brightest hopes—­and to fulfill the trust placed in my brotherly love by his father.  The shoot is still flexible; but if longer neglected it will become crooked and outgrow the gardener’s training hand, and upright bearing, intellect, and character be destroyed for ever....

I know no duty more sacred than the education and training of a child.  The chief duties of a guardian consist in knowing how to appreciate what is good, and in adopting a right course; then alone has proper attention been devoted to the welfare of his ward, whereas in opposing what is good he neglects his duty.

Indeed, keeping in view what is most for the benefit of the boy, I do not object to the mother in so far sharing in the duties of a guardian, that she may visit her son, and see him, and be apprised of all the measures adopted for his education; but to intrust her with his sole guardianship without a strict guardian by her side would cause the irretrievable ruin of her son.

On these cogent grounds I reiterate my well-founded solicitation, and feel the more confident of a favorable answer, as the welfare of my nephew alone guides my steps in this affair.

TO BARONESS VON DROSSDICK

I live in entire quiet and solitude; and even though occasional flashes of light arouse me, still since you all left, I feel a hopeless void which even my art, usually so faithful to me, has not yet triumphed over.  Your pianoforte is ordered, and you shall soon have it.  What a difference you must have discovered between the treatment of the Theme I extemporized on the other evening, and the mode in which I have