bitterness of Salzburg for me; and that you will do so, I feel convinced.  I must also candidly say that I should arrive in Salzburg with a lighter heart were it not for my official capacity there, for this thought is to me the most intolerable of all.  Reflect on it yourself, place yourself in my position.  At Salzburg I never know how I stand; at one time I am everything, at another absolutely nothing.  I neither desire so much nor so little, but still I wish to be something—­if indeed I am something!  In every other place I know what my duties are.  Elsewhere those who undertake the violin stick to it,—­the same with the piano, &c., &c.  I trust this will be regulated hereafter, so that all may turn out well and for my happiness and satisfaction.  I rely wholly on you.

Things here are in a poor state; but the day after to-morrow, Saturday the 17th, I myself alone, (to save expense,) to please some kind friends, amateurs, and connoisseurs, intend to give a subscription concert.  If I engaged an orchestra, it would with the lighting cost me more than three louis-d’or, and who knows whether we shall get as much?  My sonatas are not yet published, though promised for the end of September.  Such is the effect of not looking after things yourself, for which that obstinate Grimm is also to blame.  They will probably be full of mistakes, not being able to revise them myself, for I was obliged to devolve the task on another, and I shall be without my sonatas in Munich.  Such an occurrence, though apparently a trifle, may often bring success, honor, and wealth, or, on the other hand, misfortune.

116.

Strassburg, Oct. 20, 1778.

You will perceive that I am still here, by the advice of Herr Frank and other Strassburg magnates, but I leave this to-morrow.  In my last letter I mentioned that on the 17th I was to give a kind of sample of a concert, as concerts here fare worse than even at Salzburg.  It is, of course, over.  I played quite alone, having engaged no musicians, so that I might at least lose nothing; briefly, I took three louis-d’or.  The chief receipts consisted in the shouts of Bravo! and Bravissimo! which echoed on every side.  Prince Max of Zweibrucken also honored the concert by his presence.  I need not tell you that every one was pleased.  I intended then to pursue my journey, but was advised to stay till the following Saturday, in order to give a grand concert in the theatre.  I did so, and, to the surprise, indignation, and disgrace of all the Strassburgers, my receipts were exactly the same.  The Director, M. de Villeneuve, abused the inhabitants of this most detestable town in the most unmeasured terms.  I took a little more money, certainly, but the cost of the band (which is very bad, but its pay very good), the lighting, printing, the guard at the door, and the check-takers at the entrances, &c., made up a considerable sum.  Still I must tell you that the