[Footnote 2:  Beethoven’s last letter to Wegeler.  The signature alone is his.]

465.

TO SIR GEORGE SMART,—­LONDON.

Feb. 22, 1827.

I remember that some years ago the Philharmonic Society proposed to give a concert for my benefit.  This prompts me to request you, dear sir, to say to the Philharmonic Society that if they be now disposed to renew their offer it would be most welcome to me.  Unhappily, since the beginning of December I have been confined to bed by dropsy,—­a most wearing malady, the result of which cannot yet be ascertained.  As you are already well aware, I live entirely by the produce of my brains, and for a long time to come all idea of writing is out of the question.  My salary is in itself so small, that I can scarcely contrive to defray my half-year’s rent out of it.  I therefore entreat you kindly to use all your influence for the furtherance of this project,—­your generous sentiments towards me convincing me that you will not be offended by my application.  I intend also to write to Herr Moscheles on this subject, being persuaded that he will gladly unite with you in promoting my object.  I am so weak that I can no longer write, so I only dictate this.  I hope, dear sir, that you will soon cheer me by an answer, to say whether I may look forward to the fulfilment of my request.

In the mean time, pray receive the assurance of the high esteem with which
I always remain, &c., &c.

466.

TO HERR MOSCHELES.

Vienna, Feb. 22, 1827.

DEAR MOSCHELES,—­

I feel sure that you will not take amiss my troubling you as well as Sir G. Smart (to whom I enclose a letter) with a request.  The matter is briefly this.  Some years since, the London Philharmonic Society made me the handsome offer to give a concert in my behalf.  At that time I was not, God be praised! so situated as to render it necessary for me to take advantage of this generous proposal.  Things are, however, very different with me now, as for fully three months past I have been entirely prostrated by that tedious malady, dropsy.  Schindler encloses a letter with further details.  You have long known my circumstances, and are aware how, and by what, I live:  a length of time must elapse before I can attempt to write again, so that, unhappily, I might be reduced to actual want.  You have not only an extensive acquaintance in London, but also the greatest influence with the Philharmonic; may I beg you, therefore, to exercise it, so far as you can, in prevailing on the Society to resume their former intention, and to carry it soon into effect.

The letter I enclose to Sir Smart is to the same effect, as well as one I already sent to Herr Stumpff.[1] I beg you will yourself give the enclosed letter to Sir Smart, and unite with him and all my friends in London in furthering my object.  Your sincere friend,

BEETHOVEN.