C.

  August 30, 1845.

Very dear friend,—­Here are three manuscripts for Brandus, [footnote:  Brandus, whose name here appears for the first time in Chopin’s letters, was the successor of Schlesinger.] and three for Maho, who will remit to you Haertel’s price for them (1,500 francs).  Give the manuscripts only at the moment of payment.  Send a note for 500 francs in your next letter, and keep the rest for me.  I give you much trouble, I should like to spare you it—­but—­but——.

Ask Maho not to change the manuscripts destined for Haertel, because, as I shall not correct the Leipzig proofs, it is important that my copy should be clear.  Also ask Brandus to send me two proofs, one of which I may keep.

Now, how are you? and Madame Franchomme and her dear children?  I know you are in the country—­(if St. Germain may be called country)—­that ought to do you all infinite good in the fine weather which we continue to have.  Look at my erasures!  I should not end if I were to launch out into a chat with you, and I have not time to resume my letter, for Eug.  Delacroix, who wishes much to take charge of my message for you, leaves immediately.  He is the most admirable artist possible—­I have spent delightful times with him.  He adores Mozart—­knows all his operas by heart.

  Decidedly I am only making blots to-day—­pardon me for them. 
  Au revoir, dear friend, I love you always, and I think of you
  every day.

  Give my kind regards to Madame Franchomme, and embrace the
  dear children.

  September 22, 1845.

Very dear friend,—­I thank you with all my heart for all your journeys after Maho, and your letter which I have just received with the money.  The day of the publication seems to me good, and I have only to ask you again not to let Brandus fall asleep on my account or over my accounts.

  Nohant, July 8, 1846.

Very dear friend,—­It was not because I did not think of it that I have not written to you sooner, but because I wished to send you at the same time my poor manuscripts, which are not yet finished.  In the meantime here is a letter for M. Brandus.  When you deliver it to him, be so kind as to ask him for a line in reply, which you will have the goodness to send to me; because if any unforeseen event occurs, I shall have to apply to Meissonnier, their offers being equal.

My good friend,—­I am doing my utmost to work, but I do not get on; and if this state of things continues, my new productions will no longer remind people either of the warbling of LINNETS [gazouillement des fauvettes] [footnote:  This is an allusion to a remark which somebody made on his compositions.] or even of broken china [porcelaine cassee].  I must resign myself.

  Write to me.  I love you as much as ever.