soon be altered.  In the mean time do not buy Czerny’s “School for the Pianoforte;"[1] for in a day or two I expect to get some information about another.  Along with the “Journal des Modes” that I promised to your wife, I also send something for your children.  I can always regularly transmit you the journal—­you have only to express your wish on any point, for me to comply with it at once.

I am, with love and esteem, your friend,

BEETHOVEN.

I hope we shall soon meet.

[Footnote 1:  Czerny, The Vienna Pianoforte Teacher; or, theoretical and practical mode of learning how to play the piano skilfully and beautifully in a short time by a new and easy method.  Vienna:  Haslinger.  See No. 455.]

455.

TO STEPHAN V. BREUNING

MY DEAR GOOD FRIEND,—­

I can at length realize my boast, and send you Clement’s long-promised “Pianoforte School” for Gerhard [Breuning’s eldest son].  If he makes the use of it that I advise, the results cannot fail to be good.  I shall see you very shortly now, and cordially embrace you.  Your

BEETHOVEN.

456.[1]

TESTIMONIAL FOR C. HOLZ.

Vienna, August 30, 1826.

I am happy to give my friend Carl Holz the testimonial he wishes, namely, that I consider him well fitted to write my Biography hereafter, if indeed I may presume to think that this will be desired.  I place the most implicit confidence in his faithfully transmitting to posterity what I have imparted to him for this purpose.

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote 1:  Carl Holz ceded his rights to Dr. Gassner, who however died in 1851 without having completed any biography of Beethoven.  In the maestro’s bequest, which Gassner’s widow was so kind as to show me, there was nothing new (at least to me) except two letters included in this collection and a couple of anecdotes.  Schindler also states that Beethoven subsequently repented of the authority he had given Holz and declared he did so too hastily.]

457.

TO CARL HOLZ.

Both the gentlemen were here, but they have been admonished on every side to observe the most strict secrecy with regard to the Order.  Haslinger declares that in this respect you are a son of the deceased Papageno. Prenez garde!

I told Carl to-day it was definitively settled that he could not quit the hospital except with you or me.  I dine at home to-morrow, so I shall be very glad if you can come.  As you have no official work to-morrow you might arrive later, but it is very necessary that you should come. Portez-vous bien, Monsieur terrible amoureux.[1]

Your indeclinable friend,

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote 1:  This letter contains all kinds of dashes and flourishes, which prove that the maestro was in his happiest mood when he wrote it.  His nephew was at that time in the hospital, probably owing to his attempt at suicide.]