long illness, and now two of my pupils are in the country, and the third (the Duke de Guines’s daughter) is betrothed, and means no longer to continue her lessons, which, so far as my credit is concerned, does not distress me much.  It is no particular loss to me, for the Duke only pays me what every one else does.  Only imagine!  I went to his house every day for two hours, being engaged to give twenty-four lessons, (but it is the custom here to pay after each twelve lessons.) They went into the country, and when they came back ten days afterwards, I was not apprised of it; had I not by chance inquired out of mere curiosity, I should not have known that they were here.  When I did go, the governess took out her purse and said to me, “Pray excuse my only paying you at present for twelve lessons, for I have not enough money.”  This is a noble proceeding!  She then gave me three louis-d’or, adding, “I hope you are satisfied; if not, I beg you will say so.”  M. le Duc can have no sense of honor, or probably thinks that I am only a young man and a thick-headed German, (for this is the way in which the French always speak of us,) and that I shall be quite contented.  The thick-headed German, however, was very far from being contented, so he declined receiving the sum offered.  The Duke intended to pay me for one hour instead of two, and all from economy.  As he has now had a concerto of mine for harp and flute, for the last four months, which he has not yet paid me for, I am only waiting till the wedding is over to go to the governess and ask for my money.  What provokes me most of all is that these stupid Frenchmen think I am still only seven years old, as they saw me first when I was that age.  This is perfectly true, for Madame d’Epinay herself told me so quite seriously.  I am therefore treated here like a beginner, except by the musicians, who think very differently; but most votes carry the day!

After my conversation with Grimm, I went the very next day to call on Count Sickingen.  He was quite of my opinion that I ought to have patience and wait till Raaff arrives at his destination, who will do all that lies in his power to serve me.  If he should fail, Count Sickingen has offered to procure a situation for me at Mayence.  In the mean time my plan is to do my utmost to gain a livelihood by teaching, and to earn as much money as possible.  This I am now doing, in the fond hope that some change may soon occur; for I cannot deny, and indeed at once frankly confess, that I shall be delighted to be released from this place.  Giving lessons is no joke here, and unless you wear yourself out by taking a number of pupils, not much money can be made.  You must not think that this proceeds from laziness.  No! it is only quite opposed to my genius and my habits.  You know that I am, so to speak, plunged into music,—­that I am occupied with it the whole day,—­that I like to speculate, to study, and to reflect.  Now my present mode of life effectually prevents this.  I have, indeed, some hours at liberty, but those few hours are more necessary for rest than for work.