An offer to Beethoven of the post of Kapellmeister by the King of Westphalia, Napoleon’s brother, in 1809 brought about one of the inevitable quarrels that marked Beethoven’s association with his intimates.  Ries was the victim this time.  Beethoven’s dislike of Napoleon, and the French in general, should have been sufficient to deter him even from considering the matter.  The post carried with it a good salary however, 600 ducats (about $1,400), and the duties were light.  It meant a comfortable maintenance with plenty of time for composing, and from this point of view, the offer had its attractions.  A certain fixed income, through which he could be independent of his publishers, was what he chiefly desired.  From every other point of view, however, the project must have been distasteful to him.  At middle-age, the mind of such a man, occupied almost wholly with an ideal world, shrinks from encountering new and untried scenes.  Had he accepted it, he probably never would have remained, as his love for Vienna and the old and tried friends left behind would have acted as a magnet irresistibly drawing him back.  He seems not to have considered it seriously.  As soon as the matter became known, however, the Archduke and two other of Beethoven’s friends, the dashing young Prince Kinsky (who for bravery at the battle of Aspern was decorated on the field with the Maria Theresa cross by the Archduke Charles), and Beethoven’s old friend Prince Lobkowitz—­got together and made up an annuity of 4,000 florins, paper money.  Of this sum the Archduke contributed 1,500 florins, Prince Lobkowitz 700 and Prince Kinsky 1,800.  Owing to the depreciation in paper money the amount was considerably reduced shortly after, but he continued to draw from this source about $700 per year to his death according to Sir George Grove.

Beethoven delayed giving a decided answer while the negotiations for the annuity were dragging along.  When it became evident that he would not accept the position, the offer was made to Ries.  Some officious person informed Beethoven that Ries was trying to get the post away from him in a questionable manner.  This was not true, but Beethoven broke off all relations with him and would not see him for three weeks.  The anecdote as related by Ries is as follows:  “After Beethoven had declined the position, I at once sought him to ascertain if he really did not intend taking the post, and to get his counsel in the matter.  But whenever I called, Beethoven was not in, and my letters to him met with no response.  Three weeks elapsed when I met him accidentally on the Redoubte; I went up to him and told him the object of my visits.  Beethoven looked me over and said cuttingly, ’So! and do you think you could fill a post that has been offered to me?’ and left me.  Determined on having an understanding with him I again sought him the following morning.  His servant in an impudent manner told me that Beethoven was not in, although I heard him singing and humming