I hope, sir, that you will forgive the liberty I take in thus intruding on you.  The bearer of this, H. v. ——­, has been commissioned by me to exchange or sell a bank-note.  Being ignorant of everything connected with these matters, I beg you will be so good as to communicate your views and advice to the bearer.  The two illnesses I had last winter and summer rather deranged all my calculations.  I have been here since the 7th of September, and must remain till the end of October.  All this costs a great deal of money, and prevents my earning it as usual.  I indeed expect shortly to receive money from abroad, but as bank-notes stand so high at present, I consider this the easiest resource, and intend subsequently to purchase a new bank-note in its place.

Immediate—­in haste.

Your friend,

BEETHOVEN.

[This unsealed letter was enclosed in an envelope on which was written:]

You will at once see what kind of commercial genius I am.  After writing the enclosed, I for the first time consulted a friend about the note, who pointed out to me that all I had to do was to cut off a coupon, and the affair was completed.  I rejoice, therefore, not to be obliged to plague you further on the subject.

Yours,

BEETHOVEN.

304.

TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH.

Feb. 27, 1822.

I went to-day early to the Palace, not, indeed, with the intention of meeting Y.R.H., (not being yet dressed), but only to beg Zips to mention that I had called, and was sincerely rejoiced at your arrival here; but I could no longer discover Y.R.H.’s apartments, and wherever I knocked in the hope of finding Y.R.H., my dress seemed to be so closely scrutinized that I hurried away, and write to-day to recommend myself to Y.R.H.  To-morrow I intend to pay my respects to Y.R.H., when I hope also to hear whether the usual musical and intellectual meetings are to continue, and when they are to take place.  My not having written all this time to Y.R.H. has indeed a very bad appearance, but I delayed from day to day, hoping always to send the Mass, the mistakes in which were really quite dreadful; so much so that I was obliged to revise every part, and thus the delay occurred.  Other pressing occupations and various circumstances tended to impede me, which is often the case when a man least expects it.  That Y.R.H., however, was ever present with me is shown by the following copies of some novelties,[1] which have been lying finished by me for some time for Y.R.H., but I resolved not to forward them till I could at the same time send the Mass.  The latter now only requires binding, when it shall be respectfully delivered to Y.R.H. by myself.  Sincerely rejoiced at the hope of soon personally waiting on Y.R.H., I remain, with devoted homage, yours till death.

[K.]

[Footnote 1:  The novelties which Beethoven sends to the Archduke are:—­