[Footnote 1:  Stumpff, a Thuringian maker of harps, came to Vienna in 1824, recommended to our maestro by Andreas Streicher in a letter of Sept. 24, in these words:—­“The bearer of this is Herr Stumpff, an excellent German, who has lived for thirty-four years in London.  The sole reason of his going to Baden is to see you, my revered Beethoven, the man of whom Germany is so proud.  Pray receive him in a kind and friendly manner, as beseems the saint to whose shrine the pious pilgrim has made so long a journey.”  In 1826 he presented Beethoven with the English edition of Handel’s works in 40 folio volumes, which the maestro constantly studied during his last illness.  Gerhard v.  Breuning, when a youth of fourteen, either held up the separate volumes for him, or propped them against the wall.]

467.

TO SCHINDLER.

The end of February, 1827.

When we meet we can discuss the mischance that has befallen you.  I can send you some person without the smallest inconvenience.  Do accept my offer; it is, at least, something.  Have you had no letters from Moscheles or Cramer?  There will be a fresh occasion for writing on Wednesday, and once more urging my project.  If you are still indisposed at that time, one of my people can take the letter, and get a receipt from the post-office.

Vale et fave. I need not assure you of my sympathy with your misfortune.  Pray allow me to supply board for you in the mean time.  I offer this from my heart.  May Heaven preserve you!  Your sincere friend,

BEETHOVEN.

468.

TO BARON VON PASQUALATI.[1]

March 6, 1827.

MY MUCH-ESTEEMED OLD FRIEND,—­

My warmest thanks for the kind present you have sent me for the benefit of my health; as soon as I have found what wine is most suitable for me I will let you know, but not abuse your kindness.  I like the compote much, and shall again apply to you for some.  Even this costs me an effort. Sapienti pauca.

Your grateful friend,

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote 1:  Traced in feeble and trembling characters.  Some other hand has written on it, “March 6, 1827.”]

469.

TO BARON VON PASQUALATI.

MY ESTEEMED FRIEND,—­

I beg you will send me some more of the cherry compote, but without lemons, and quite simple.  I should also like a light pudding, almost liquid, my worthy cook not being very experienced in invalid diet.  I am allowed to drink champagne, and I wish you would send me for to-day a champagne glass with it.  Now, as to wine, Malfatti wished me to drink moselle, but declared that no genuine moselle could be got here; so he gave me several bottles of Krumbholzkirchner,[1] deeming this best for my health, as no really good moselle is to be had.  Pray forgive my troubling you, and ascribe it chiefly to my helpless condition.

I am, with much esteem, your friend,