I have this instant received your latter from my friend Becke.  I wrote to you from his house two days ago, but a letter such as I never wrote before; for this kind friend said so much to me about your tender paternal love, your indulgence towards me, your complaisance and discretion in the promotion of my future happiness, that my feelings were softened even to tears.  But, from your letter of the 28th, I see only too clearly that Herr Becke, in his conversation with me, rather exaggerated.  Now, distinctly, and once for all, as soon as the opera ("Alceste”) is given, I intend to leave this, whether the diligence goes the day after or the same night.  If you had spoken to Madame Robinig, I might have travelled home with her.  But be that as it may, the opera is to be given on the 11th, and on the 12th (if the diligence goes) I set off.  It would be more for my interest to stay here a little longer, but I am willing to sacrifice this to you, in the hope that I shall have a twofold reward for it in Salzburg.  I don’t think your idea about the sonatas at all good; even if I do not get them, I ought to leave Munich forthwith.  Then you advise my not being seen at court; to a man so well known as I am here such a thing is impossible.  But do not be uneasy.  I received my sonatas at Kaisersheim; and, as soon as they are bound, I mean to present them to the Electress.  A. propos, what do you mean by dreams of pleasure?  I do not wish to give up dreaming, for what mortal on the whole compass of the earth does not often dream? above all dreams of pleasure—­ peaceful dreams, sweet, cheering dreams if you will—­dreams which, if realized, would have rendered my life (now far rather sad than pleasurable) more endurable.

The 1st.—­I have this moment received, through a Salzburg vetturino, a letter from you, which really at first quite startled me.  For Heaven’s sake tell me, do you really think that I can at once fix a day for my journey; or is it your belief that I don’t mean to come at all?  When I am so very near, I do think you might be at ease on that point.  When the fellow had explained his route to me, I felt a strong inclination to go with him, but at present I really cannot; to-morrow or next day I intend to present the sonatas to the Electress, and then (no matter how strongly I may be urged) I must wait a few days for a present.  Of one thing I give you my word, that to please you I have resolved not to wait to see the opera, but intend to leave this the day after I receive the present I expect.  At the same time I confess I feel this to be very hard on me; but if a few days more or less appear of such importance to you, so let it be.  Write to me at once on this point.  The 2d.—­I rejoice at the thoughts of conversing with you, for then you will first comprehend how my matters stand here.  You need have neither mistrust nor misgivings as to Raaff, for he is the most upright man in the world, though no lover of letter-writing.  The chief cause of his silence, however, is no doubt that he is unwilling to make premature promises, and yet is glad to hold out some hope too; besides, like Cannabich, he has worked for me with might and main.