The inquiries about this work are numerous, and yet, after all, this excellent composition may be ushered into the world in mutilated copies, for Y.R.H. yourself cannot possibly resist giving it first to one person and then to another; so, in Heaven’s name, together with the great homage Y.R.H. now publicly receives, let the homage to Apollo (or the Christian Cecilia) also be made public.  Perhaps Y.R.H. may accuse me of vanity; but I do assure you that precious as this dedication is to my heart, and truly proud of it as I am, this is certainly not my chief object.  Three publishers have offered to take the work,—­Artaria, Steiner, and a third whose name does not at this moment occur to me.  So of the two I have named, which is to have the variations?  I await the commands of Y.R.H. on this point.  They are to be engraved at the cost of either of those publishers, according to their own offer.  The question now is whether Y.R.H. is satisfied with the title.  My idea is that Y.R.H. should entirely close your eyes to the fact of the publication; when it does appear, Y.R.H. may deem it a misfortune, but the world will consider it the reverse.  May Providence protect Y.R.H., and shower down the richest blessings of His grace on Y.R.H.’s sacred head, and preserve for me your gracious regard! [On the cover] My indisposition must be my excuse with Y.R.H. for this confused letter.

[K.]

[Footnote 1:  The Emperor Francis had sent the new Archbishop of Olmuetz, Archduke Rudolph, the Grand Cross of the Order of St. Stephen.]

[Footnote 2:  The Mass for the solemnities of the Archduke Rudolph’s enthronization in Olmuetz (March 20, 1820) was not completed by Beethoven till 1822.]

[Footnote 3:  Beethoven had, however, no cause for despair on the subject.  The kind-hearted Archduke showed the utmost indulgence to him on this occasion as well as on many others, and even at a later period accepted the dedication of this long delayed composition.]

272.[1]

TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH.

1819.

I perceive that Baron Schweiger has not informed Y.R.H. of the attack I had yesterday.  I was suddenly seized with such sharp fever that I entirely lost consciousness; a bruised foot may have contributed to bring this on.  It is therefore impossible for me to leave the house to-day.  I hope, however, to be quite recovered by to-morrow, and I request Y.R.H. to appoint the orchestra to come to-morrow afternoon at a quarter to three o’clock, that the musicians may appear a little earlier, and leave sufficient time to try over the two Overtures.  If Y.R.H. wishes to hear these, I shall require four horns; the Symphonies, however, require only two.  For the proper performance of the Symphonies we must have at least four violins, four second, four first, two double basses, two violoncellos.  I beg you will be so good as to let me know what you decide on.  No pleasure can ever be greater to me than hearing my works performed before my illustrious pupil.  May God speedily restore your health, which often causes me anxiety!