by the Government.  You remember the appearance of the walls of your room owing to smoke, and the large sum it cost even to lessen in any degree this discomfort, although to do away with it wholly was impossible.  My chief anxiety at present is that he may be ordered to take down his placard, and to give me a receipt for the house-rent I have paid; but nothing will induce me to pay for the abominable lighting, without which it cost me enough actually to preserve my life in such a lodging.  My eyes do not yet suffer me to encounter the town atmosphere, or I would myself apply in person to the police.

Your attached

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote 1:  The Pfarrgasse, in the Laimgrube, where Schindler lived with him.]

342.

TO SCHINDLER.

I must have an attested copy of all the writings; I send you 45 kreutzers.  How could you possibly accept such a proposal from our churlish landlord when accompanied by a threat?  Where was your good sense?  Where it always is.

To-morrow early I shall send for the Variations, copy and originals.  It is not certain whether the Pr. comes or not; so be so good as to stay at home till eight o’clock.  You can come to dinner either to-day or to-morrow; but you must settle which you mean to do, as it is not easy for me to provide provisions.  Not later than half-past two o’clock.  The housekeeper will tell you about a lodging in the Landstrasse.  It is high time, truly!  As soon as you hear of anything to be had on the Bastei or the Landstrasse, you must at once give me notice.  We must find out what room the landlord uses on account of the well.—­Vale!

343.

TO SCHINDLER.[1]

Hetzendorf, 1823.

SAMOTHRACIAN VAGABOND!—­

You were dispatched yesterday to the South Pole, whereas we went off to the North Pole, a slight difference now equalized by Captain Parry.  There were, however, no mashed potatoes there.

Bach [his lawyer], to whom I beg my best regards, is requested to say what the lodging in Baden is to cost; we must also try to arrange that Carl should come to me once every fortnight there (but cheaply; good heavens! poverty and economy!).  I intrust this matter to you, as you have your friends and admirers among the drivers and liverymen.  If you get this in time, you had better go to Bach to-day, so that I may receive his answer to-morrow forenoon.  It is almost too late now.

You might also take that rascal of a copyist by surprise; I don’t expect much good from him.  He has now had the Variations for eight days.

Your ["friend” stroked out] amicus,

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote 1:  He no doubt alludes to Captain Parry, the celebrated traveller, who wrote an article in the A.M.  Zeitung on the music of the Esquimaux.]

344.

TO SCHINDLER.[1]

June, 1823.

SAMOTHRACIAN!—­