436.

TO HIS NEPHEW.

Baden, July 18, Monday.

MY DEAR SON,—­

You will see from the enclosure all that you wish to know; only observe moderation.  Fortune crowns my efforts, but do not lay the foundation of misery by mistaken notions; be truthful and exact in the account of your expenses, and give up the theatre for the present.  Follow the advice of your guide and father; be counselled by him whose exertions and aspirations have always been directed to your moral welfare, though without neglecting your temporal benefit.

This Herr Thal will call on you, and he will also be at Herr Hoenigstein’s; you can give him the Overture if you think fit.  He is to stay three weeks.  You may invite him to dine here.  Sunday would be best, as a certain scamp comes on that day at an early hour, in a carriage that I will send for him.  Pray show some amiability of manner towards this man; art and science form a link between the noblest spirits, and your future vocation[1] by no means exempts you from this.  You might take a fiacre and drive to the copyist’s if you can spare time.  With respect to the transcription of the Quartet, you may tell him that I write very differently now, much more legibly than during my illness; this Quartet must be written out twice, and I can send it at once.  I have had the offer of a copyist here, but I don’t know what he can do.  I should be careful not to be too confidential at first with the Holz Christi, or the splinter of the Holz Christi.

Write to me forthwith.  Perhaps the old goose may go to Vienna the day after to-morrow.  Farewell!  Attend to my advice.

Your attached

FATHER,

Who cordially embraces you.

You may possibly go to D——­ with this Herr Thal; do not, however, show too much anxiety about the money.

[Footnote 1:  The nephew had now resolved on a commercial career, and on this account entered the Polytechnic Institution.]

437.

TO HIS NEPHEW.

MY DEAR SON,—­

So let it be!  Bring G——­’s letter with you, for I have scarcely read it myself.  My Signor Fratello came the day before yesterday with his brother-in-law [see No. 435]—­what a contemptible fellow!  The old witch, who went almost crazy again yesterday, will bring you the answer about the book from his brother-in-law.  If it does not convey a positive certainty on the subject, send this letter at once to the base creature!  When Cato exclaimed, with regard to Caesar, “This man and myself!” what can be done in such a case?  I don’t send the letter, for it will be time enough a couple of days hence.  It is too late to-day.  I impress my love, as with a seal, on your affectionate attachment to me.  If you are likely to miss your work by coming here, then stay where you are.

As ever, your loving and anxious

FATHER.

Three times over: 
________________
|:  Come soon! :|

438.