Your attached

FATHER.

Bring the newspaper with you.  You have a great deal to do this time.  You no doubt will write before Sunday.  Do not flatter that wretch ——.  He is a miserable, weak-minded fellow.  I embrace you.  My health is no better.

434.

TO HIS BROTHER JOHANN,—­GNEIXENDORF.

Baden, July 13, 1825.

MY WORTHY BROTHER,—­

As you have taken such good care of the book, I beg you will take equal care that it be returned to the proprietor here.  Another pretty business!  As to your wish that I should come to see you, I long ago fully explained myself on that point; so I request that you will never again allude to the subject, for you will find me as immovable as ever.  Pray spare me all details, as I am unwilling to repeat what is disagreeable.  You are happy, and it is my desire that you should be so; continue thus, for every one is best in his own sphere.

I only once made use of your lodgings, but the baking-oven nearly made me ill, so I did not go again; as I have now a lodging of my own, it is not probable that I shall even once make use of the room you offer me.  When you write, be sure to seal your letters, and address them to the care of Carl, in Vienna, as such letters cost a great deal here.  I once more urge you to restore the book belonging to the machinist, an dem Graben, for such occurrences are really almost incredible, and place me in no small embarrassment.  So the book! the book! to be sent to Carl in Vienna with all possible haste and speed.  Farewell, most worthy brother!  Yours,

LUDWIG.

435.

TO HIS NEPHEW.

Baden, July 15.

MY DEAR SON,—­

In your letter to Schlesinger don’t forget to ask whether Prince Radziwill is in Berlin.  As to the 80 ducats, you can also write that they may be paid in Conventionsgulden, at only 4 florins 30 kreutzers to the ducat; but I leave this entirely to yourself, though gold ducats would not be too much from one who has the right of publishing in England and also in France.  You must be quite decided too with respect to the four months’ bill.  A. Mayseder receives 50 ducats for a set of violin variations!  Do not fail to call attention to the fact that my bad health and other circumstances constrain me to look more closely after my interests than formerly.  Bargaining is odious to me, but it must be so!  What are my feelings when I find myself thus alone among these men!  Be sure to forward my letter to my brother, that the book may be restored—­what a trick!  I should have liked, too, to do all I could to benefit my hearing, and here I should have had time to do so.  How melancholy to have such a brother!  Alas! alas!  Farewell!  I embrace you from my heart.

Your attached

FATHER.

P.S.  Do not be dilatory, and rise early.  If you would rather not, pray do not come on Sunday; but at all events write, though not at present, for if you can come we can discuss all matters together.