in an inner room, as was his habit when composing.  I attempted to enter forcibly, upon which the servant took hold of me, with the intention of putting me out.  I grappled with him and threw him to the floor.  Beethoven hearing the noise came out in a rage.  I was equally angry and heaped reproaches on his head.  The master was too astonished to answer, but stood looking at me.  Finally, explanations were offered and then I first learned of Beethoven’s grievance against me.  I had no difficulty in proving my innocence in the matter, and Beethoven, to make amends, at once left his work and went out with me to see about the position, but it had already been given out.”  Ries finally went to England where he acquired fame and fortune.  He kept up a correspondence with Beethoven to the end; some of the master’s most interesting letters are those written in his later years to his former pupil.  Ries became a very prolific composer, whose works embrace almost every class of music, among which is to be mentioned several operas, oratorios, symphonies, much chamber-music, and many pianoforte sonatas, none of which, however have survived to the present day.

The settlement of the question about his remaining in Vienna, and the security of the future brought about by the annuity, had the effect of increasing the productivity of the master.  The sketch-books of this period abound in studies for orchestral, chamber and vocal studies.  It was characteristic of Beethoven to show in this manner his appreciation of the compliment tendered him.  The year 1809 was not propitious to creative work.  War raged in Vienna and vicinity.  The city was bombarded by the French in May, and was occupied by them much of the summer.  Several important battles were fought nearby.  Contrary to his usual custom, Beethoven remained in the city throughout the summer.  His residence was in an exposed position on the bastion, where he remained the larger part of the time, occasionally visiting his brother Karl, who also remained.  He was at Karl’s home while the bombardment was going on, and, during the worst of it, sought refuge in the cellar, where he even padded his ears to escape the noise.  The terrific reports on the inflamed tissues of his ears distressed him greatly, and must have added permanent injury to the organs already in a bad condition.

That the achievement of the solitary worker during the summer was more important and far-reaching in its effects than that of the belligerents, will hardly be gainsaid.  The latter wasted a lot of ammunition, destroyed human beings and property, and made a good deal of noise for the time being, after which things settled down to about the same condition as before; while Beethoven added solid wealth to the world in its most lasting form.