with H.R.H.  Archduke Ludwig, and to warn him against listening to the slanders of the mother, who would plunge her child into an abyss whence he could never be rescued.  That sense of justice which guides every party in our just Austrian land, does not entirely exclude her either; at the same time, this very same sense of justice must render all her remonstrances unavailing.  A religious view of the Fourth Commandment is what chiefly decides the Court to send away the son as far as possible.  The difficulty those must have who conduct the boy’s education in not offending against this commandment, and the necessity that the son should never be tempted to fail in this duty or to repudiate it, ought certainly to be taken into consideration.  Every effort has been made by forbearance and generosity to amend this unnatural mother, but all has been in vain.  If necessary I will supply H.R.H.  Archduke Ludwig with a statement on the subject, and, favored by the advocacy of my gracious master Y.R.H. the Archduke Rudolph, I shall certainly obtain justice.

[K.]

268.

TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH.

1819.

I regret to say that, owing to a judicial meeting about the affairs of my nephew (being unable to alter the hour fixed), I must give up the pleasure of waiting on Y.R.H. this evening, but shall not fail to do so to-morrow at half-past four o’clock.  As for the affair itself, I know that I shall be treated with indulgence.  May Heaven at length bring it to a close! for my mind suffers keenly from such a painful turmoil.

[K.]

269.

TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH.

Moedling, July 29, 1819.

I heard with deep regret of Y.R.H.’s recent indisposition, and having received no further reliable information on the subject, I am extremely uneasy.  I went to Vienna to search in Y.R.H.’s library for what was most suitable to me.  The chief object must be to hit off our idea at once, and in accordance with a high class of art, unless the object in view should require different and more practical treatment.  On this point the ancient composers offer the best examples, as most of these possess real artistic value (though among them the German Handel and Sebastian Bach can alone lay claim to genius); but freedom and progress are our true aim in the world of art, just as in the great creation at large; and if we moderns are not so far advanced as our forefathers in solidity, still the refinement of our ideas has contributed in many ways to their enlargement.  My illustrious musical pupil, himself a competitor for the laurels of fame, must not incur the reproach of onesidedness, et iterum venturus judicare vivos et mortuos.  I send you three poems, from which Y.R.H. might select one to set to music.  The Austrians have now learned that the spirit of Apollo wakes afresh in the Imperial House; I receive from all sides requests for something of yours.  The editor of the “Mode Zeitung” is to write to Y.R.H. on the subject.  I only hope that I shall not be accused of being bribed—­to be at court and yet no courtier!  After that, what is not credible??!!!