But Schlesinger is a still worse dog to put my Waltzes [footnote:  “Trois Valses brillantes,” Op. 34.] in the Album, and to sell them to Probst [footnote:  Heinrich Albert Probst founded in 1823 a music-shop and publishing-house at Leipzig.  In 1831 Fr. Kistner entered the business (Probst-Kistner), which under his name has existed from 1836 down to this day.  In the Chopin letters we meet Probst in the character of Breitkopf and Hartel’s agent.] when I gave him them because he begged them for his father in Berlin. [Footnote:  Adolf Martin Schlesinger, a music-publisher like his son Maurice Adolph of Paris, so frequently mentioned in these letters.] All this irritates me.  I am only sorry for you; but in one month at the latest you will be clear of Leo and my landlord.  With the money which you receive on the bill of exchange, do what is necessary.  And my servant, what is he doing?  Give the portier twenty francs as a New Year’s present.

  I do not remember whether I left any debts of importance.  At
  all events, as I promised you, we shall be clear in a month at
  the latest.

  To-day the moon is wonderful, I never saw it more beautiful.

  By the way, you write that you sent me a letter from my
  people.  I neither saw nor heard of one, and I am longing so
  much for one!  Did you prepay when you sent them the letter?

Your letter, the only one I have hitherto received, was very badly addressed.  Here nature is benevolent, but the people are thievish.  They never see any strangers, and therefore do not know what to ask of them.  For instance, an orange they will give you for nothing, but ask a fabulous sum for a coat- button.

  Under this sky you are penetrated with a kind of poetical
  feeling which everything seems to exhale.  Eagles alarmed by no
  one soar every day majestically over our heads.

  For God’s sake write, always prepay, and to Palma add always
  Valdemosa.

I love Johnnie, and I think it is a pity that he did not altogether qualify himself as director of the children of some benevolent institution in some Nuremberg or Bamberg.  Get him to write to me, were it only a few words.

  I enclose you a letter to my people...I think it is already
  the third or fourth that I send you for my parents.

  My love to Albrecht, but speak very little about me.

Chopin to Fontana; Valdemosa, January 12, 1839:—­

I send you the Preludes, make a copy of them, you and Wolf; [footnote:  Edouard Wolff] I think there are no mistakes.  You will give the transcript to Probst, but my manuscript to Pleyel.  When you get the money from Probst, for whom I enclose a receipt, you will take it at once to Leo.  I do not write and thank him just now, for I have no time.  Out of the money which Pleyel will give you, that is 1,500 francs, you will