I have therefore declared in due form to the Honorable Magistracy that I am myself willing to undertake the expenses of his present school, and also to provide the various masters required.  Being rather deaf, which is an impediment to conversation, I have requested the aid of a colleague, and suggested for this purpose Herr Peters, Councillor of Prince Lobkowitz, in order that a person may forthwith be appointed to superintend the education and progress of my nephew, that his moral character may one day command esteem, and whose acquirements may be a sure guaranty to all those who feel an interest in the youth’s welfare, that he will undoubtedly receive the education and culture necessary to develop his abilities.

My efforts and wishes have no other aim than to give the boy the best possible education,—­his abilities justifying the brightest hopes,—­and to fulfil the trust placed in my brotherly love by his father.  The shoot is still flexible; but if longer neglected it will become crooked, and outgrow the gardener’s training hand, and upright bearing, intellect, and character, be destroyed forever.

I know no duty more sacred than the education and training of a child.  The chief duties of a guardian consist in knowing how to appreciate what is good, and in adopting a right course; then alone has proper attention been devoted to the welfare of his ward, whereas in opposing what is good he neglects his duty.

Indeed, keeping in view what is most for the benefit of the boy, I do not object to the mother in so far sharing in the duties of a guardian that she may visit her son, and see him, and be apprised of all the measures adopted for his education; but to intrust her with the sole guardianship of the boy without a strict guardian by her side, would cause the irrevocable ruin of her son.

On these cogent grounds I reiterate my well-founded solicitation, and feel the more confident of a favorable answer, as the welfare of my nephew alone guides my steps in this affair.[2]

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote 1:  Schindler states that during these law proceedings the widow of Beethoven’s brother had another child.]

[Footnote 2:  The Court excluded Carl’s mother from all share in his education, and from all direct influence over her son, and again restored to Beethoven the full authority of a guardian.]

288.

TO HIS HIGHNESS THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH.

[Music:  Treble clef, C major.  Seiner Kaiserlichen Hoheit!  Dem Erzherzog Rudolph!  Dem geistlichen Fuersten!  Alles Gute! alles Schoene! alles Gute! alles Schoene! alles alles Gute, alles alles Schoene! alles Gute! alles Schoene! alles Gute, alles Schoene! alles alles Gute, alles Schoene! alles Gute, alles Schoene! alles Gute, alles Schoene!]

From your obedient servant,

L. V. BEETHOVEN.

Jan. 12, 1820.

289.

TESTIMONIAL IN FAVOR OF HERR V. KANDELER.