applause and clapping of hands almost deafened me, and made my ears ache; it was as if the whole theatre had gone crazy.  Those who were present, loudly and publicly denounced their fellow-citizens, and I told them all that if I could have reasonably supposed so few people would have come, I would gladly have given the concert gratis, merely for the pleasure of seeing the theatre well filled.  And in truth I should have preferred it, for, upon my word, I don’t know a more desolate sight than a long table laid for fifty, and only three at dinner.  Besides, it was so cold; but I soon warmed myself, for, to show the Strassburg gentlemen how little I cared, I played a very long time for my own amusement, giving a concerto more than I had promised, and, at the close, extemporizing.  It is now over, but at all events I gained honor and fame.

I have drawn on Herr Scherz for eight louis-d’or, as a precaution, for no one can tell what may happen on a journey; and I have is better than I might have had.  I have read the fatherly well-meaning letter which you wrote to M. Frank when in such anxiety about me. [Footnote:  “Your sister and I confessed, and took the Holy Communion,” writes the father, “and prayed to God fervently for your recovery.  Our excellent Bullinger prays daily for you also.”] When I wrote to you from Nancy, not knowing myself, you of course could not know, that I should have to wait so long for a good opportunity.  Your mind may be quite at ease about the merchant with whom I am travelling; he is the most upright man in the world, takes more care of me than of himself, and, entirely to oblige me, is to go with me to Augsburg and Munich, and possibly even to Salzburg.  We actually shed tears when we think that we must separate.  He is not a learned man, but a man of experience, and we live together like children.  When he thinks of his wife and family whom he has left in Paris, I try to comfort him, and when I think of my own people he speaks comfort to me.

On the 31st of October, my name-day, I amused myself (and, better still, others) for a couple of hours.  At the repeated entreaties of Herr Frank, de Berger, &c., &c., I gave another concert, by which, after paying the expenses, (not heavy this time,) I actually cleared a louis-d’or!  Now you see what Strassburg is!  I wrote at the beginning of this letter that I was to leave this on the 27th or 28th, but it proved impossible, owing to a sudden inundation here, when the floods caused great damage.  You will probably see this in the papers.  Of course travelling was out of the question, which was the only thing that induced me to consent to give another concert, being obliged to remain at all events.