with my own hand.  I had previously applied at the Embassy for permission to dedicate the work to the King, which has now been accorded.[2] By desire of Dr. Spiecker I gave him the manuscript I had myself corrected, and with my own amendments, to present to the King, as it is to be deposited in the Royal Library.  I received a hint at the time about the second class of the Order of the Red Eagle; I do not know what the result may be, for I have never sought such distinctions, though in these days for many reasons they would not be unwelcome to me.  Besides, my maxim has always been,—­Nulla dies sine linea; and if I allow my Muse to slumber, it is only that she may awake with fresh vigor.  I hope yet to usher some great works into the world, and then to close my earthly career like an old child somewhere among good people.[3] You will soon receive some music through the Brothers Schott, in Mayence.  The portrait which I now send you is indeed an artistic masterpiece, but not the last that has been taken of me.  I must tell you further, what I know you will rejoice to hear, with regard to marks of distinction.  The late King of France sent me a medal with the inscription, Donne par le Roi a M. Beethoven, accompanied by a very polite letter from le premier gentilhomme du Roi, le Duc de Chatres.

My beloved friend, excuse my writing more to-day, for the remembrance of the past has deeply affected me, and not without many tears have I written this letter.  The oftener you write the more pleasure will you confer on me.  There can be no question on either side as to our friendship, so farewell.  I beg you will embrace your dear children and your Lorchen in my name, and think of me when you do so.  May God be with you all.

As ever, your attached friend, with sincere esteem,

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote 1:  On which account this letter is dictated, and only signed by Beethoven, who was at that time at his brother’s house in the country—­Gneixendorf, near Krems, on the Danube.]

[Footnote 2:  In consequence of his application to the King of Prussia to subscribe to his Mass, of which he had sent the MS., Beethoven received the following intimation:—­

To the Composer Ludwig van Beethoven.

Berlin, Nov. 25, 1826.

“It gave me great pleasure to receive your new work, knowing the acknowledged value of your compositions.  I thank you for having sent it to me, and present you with a ring of brilliants, as a token of my sincere appreciation.

“FRIEDRICH WILHELM.”

Schindler adds that the stones in the ring were false, and casts a suspicion of fraud on the Chancery Director of that day, W——.]

[Footnote 3:  It was during those weeks that he wrote the second Finale to the B. flat major Quartet, Op. 130, little anticipating that this was to be his “Swan song.”]

460.

TO TOBIAS HASLINGER.[1]