into Schweitzer’s hands; for never while he lives will he learn how to write for the voice.  When I go to Salzburg I shall certainly not fail to plead zealously for my dear friend; in the mean time you will not neglect doing all you can in her favor, for you cannot cause your son greater joy.  I think of nothing now but the pleasure of soon embracing you.  Pray see that everything the Archbishop promised you is made quite secure, and also what I stipulated, that my place should be at the piano.  My kind regards to all my friends, and to Herr Bullinger in particular.  How merry shall we be together!  I have all this already in my thoughts, already before my eyes.  Adieu!

114.

Nancy, Oct. 3, 1778.

Pray excuse my not having told you of my journey previous to leaving Paris.  But I really cannot describe to you the way in which the whole affair was hurried forward, contrary to my expectations, wish, or will.  At the very last moment I wanted to send my luggage to Count Sickingen’s, instead of to the bureau of the diligence, and to remain some days longer in Paris.  This, I give you my honor, I should at once have done had I not thought of you, for I did not wish to displease you.  We can talk of these matters better at Salzburg.  But one thing more—­only fancy how Herr Grimm deceived me, saying that I was going by the diligence, and should arrive at Strassburg in five days; and I did not find out till the last day that it was quite another carriage, which goes at a snail’s pace, never changes horses, and is ten days on the journey.  You may easily conceive my rage; but I only gave way to it when with my intimate friends, for in his presence I affected to be quite merry and pleased.  When I got into the carriage, I received the agreeable information that we should be travelling for twelve days.  So this is an instance of Grimm’s good sense!  It was entirely to save money that he sent me by this slow conveyance, not adverting to the fact that the expense would amount to the same thing from the constant living at inns.  Well, it is now past.  What vexed me most in the whole affair was his not being straightforward with me.  He spared his own money, but not mine, as he paid for my journey, but not for my board.  If I had stayed eight or ten days longer in Paris, I could have paid my own journey, and made it comfortably.

I submitted to this conveyance for eight days, but longer I could not stand it—­not on account of the fatigue, for the carriage was well hung, but from want of sleep.  We were off every morning at four o’clock, and thus obliged to rise at three.  Twice I had the satisfaction of being forced to get up at one o’clock in the morning, as we were to set off at two.  You know that I cannot sleep in a carriage, so I really could not continue this without the risk of being ill.  I would have taken the post, but it was not necessary, for I had the good fortune to meet with a person who quite suited me—­a German merchant who resides