In haste.  With esteem, yours,

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote 1:  Schindler states that the advance of 360 florins C.M. was made to Beethoven in August, 1822.  The receipt is dated Nov. 30, 1825.]

309.

TO HERR ARTARIA.

August 22, 1822.

Being overwhelmed with work, I can only briefly say that I will always do what I can to repay your obliging kindness to me.  With regard to the Mass, I have been offered 1000 florins (C.M.) for it.  My circumstances do not permit me to accept a less sum from you; all that I can do is to give you the preference.  Rest assured that I do not ask you one farthing more than others have offered me, which I can prove to you by written documents.  You can consider about this, but I must request you to send me an answer on the subject to-morrow, it being a post-day, and my decision expected elsewhere.  With regard to the 150 florins for which I am your debtor, I intend to make you a proposal, as I stand in great need of the 1000 florins.

I beg you will observe strict secrecy as to the Mass.  Now, as ever,

Your grateful friend,

BEETHOVEN.

310.

TO HERR PETERS,—­LEIPZIG

Vienna, November 22, 1822.

I now reply to your letter of the 9th November, in which I expected to find just reproaches for my apparent negligence, you having sent me the money and as yet received nothing in return.  Unfair as this may appear, I know you would be mollified towards me in a few minutes were we to meet.

Everything is now ready for you, except selecting the songs, but at all events you shall receive one more than our agreement.  I can send you more bagatelles than I promised, as I have got ten others beside; if you write to me immediately, I will send you these, or as many as you wish for, along with the rest.

My health, indeed, is not entirely reestablished by the baths, yet on the whole I think I have improved.  I had another annoyance here, owing to a person having engaged an unsuitable lodging for me, which is hard on me, as I cannot yet accustom myself to it, and my occupations are thus sadly deranged.

The case with regard to the Mass stands thus:  I finished one long ago, and another is in progress.  There is always a certain degree of gossip about people of our class, which has, no doubt, misled you.  I don’t yet know which you are to get.  Besieged on all sides, I am almost forced to testify the reverse of the dictum that “the spirit cannot be weighed.”  I send you my best wishes, and trust that time will foster a beneficial and honorable connection between us.

BEETHOVEN.

311.

TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH.

I was extremely unwell both yesterday and the day before; unfortunately there was no one whom I could send to apprise Y.R.H. of the fact.  As I felt better towards evening, I went into the town to make Schlemmer correct the Sonata.[1] He was not at home, so I requested him to come here to-day.  I send the Sonata by him, and will come in to-day before four o’clock to wait on Y.R.H.