the palm with the other.  So you see how superfluous a new one is.  But, knowing how much changes and novelty and variety are liked with us, I see a wide field before me which may yet form an epoch. [Footnote:  Archbishop Hieronymus, in the true spirit of Frederick the Great, liked to introduce innovations with an unsparing hand; many, however, being both necessary and beneficent.] Do your best that the orchestra may have a leg to stand on, for that is what is most wanted.  A head they have [the Archbishop], but that is just the misfortune; and till a change is made in this respect, I will never come to Salzburg.  When it does take place, I am willing to come and to turn over the leaf as often as I see V. S. [volti subito] written.  Now as to the war [the Bavarian Succession].  So far as I hear, we shall soon have peace in Germany.  The King of Prussia is certainly rather alarmed.  I read in the papers that the Prussians had surprised an Imperial detachment, but that the Croats and two Cuirassier regiments were near, and, hearing the tumult, came at once to their rescue, and attacked the Prussians, placing them between two fires, and capturing five of their cannon.  The route by which the Prussians entered Bohemia is now entirely cut up and destroyed.  The Bohemian peasantry do all the mischief they can to the Prussians, who have besides constant desertions among their troops; but these are matters which you must know both sooner and better than we do.  But I must write you some of our news here.  The French have forced the English to retreat, but it was not a very hot affair.  The most remarkable thing is that, friends and foes included, only 100 men were killed.  In spite of this, there is a grand jubilation here, and nothing else is talked of.  It is also reported that we shall soon have peace.  It is a matter of indifference to me, so far as this place is concerned; but I should indeed be very glad if we were soon to have peace in Germany, for many reasons.  Now farewell!  Your true friend and obedient servant,

Wolfgang ROMATZ.

112.

St. Germains, August 27, 1778.

I write to you very hurriedly; you will see that I am not in Paris.  Herr Bach, from London [Johann Christian], has been here for the last fortnight.  He is going to write a French opera, and is only come for the purpose of hearing the singers, and afterwards goes to London to complete the opera, and returns here to put it on the stage.  You may easily imagine his joy and mine when we met again; perhaps his delight may not be quite as sincere as mine, but it must be admitted that he is an honorable man and willing to do justice to others.  I love him from my heart (as you know), and esteem him; and as for him, there is no doubt that he praises me warmly, not only to my face, but to others also, and not in the exaggerated manner in which some speak, but in earnest.  Tenducci is also here, Bach’s dearest friend, and he