for certain that the Prince likes me; a buon canto, so we must wait.  I may now say that it will be very welcome to me if the affair turns out well; if not, I shall much regret having lingered here so long and spent so much money.  At all events, whatever the issue may be, it cannot be an evil one if it be the will of God; and my daily prayer is that the result may be in accordance with it.  You have indeed, dear papa, rightly guessed the chief cause of Herr Cannabich’s friendship for me.  There is, however, another small matter in which he can make use of me—­ namely, he is obliged to publish a collection of all his ballets arranged for the piano.  Now, he cannot possibly write these out himself in such a manner that the work may be correct and yet easy.  For this purpose I am very welcome to him; (this was the case already with one of his contredanses.) He has been out shooting for the last week, and is not to return till next Tuesday.  Such things contribute, indeed, very much to our good friendship; but, independent of this, he would at least never be inimical to me, for he is very much changed.  When a man comes to a certain age, and sees his children grown up, he then no doubt thinks a little differently.  His daughter, who is fifteen, and his eldest child, is a very pretty, pleasing girl.  She has great good sense for her age, and an engaging demeanor; she is rather grave and does not talk much, but what she does say is always amiable and good-natured.  She caused me most indescribable pleasure yesterday, by playing my sonata in the most admirable manner.  The andante (which must not be played quick) she executed with the greatest possible feeling; and she likes to play it.  You know that I finished the first allegro when I had been only two days here, and that I had then only seen Madlle.  Cannabich once.  Young Danner asked me how I intended to compose the andante.  “Entirely in accordance with Madlle.  Rose’s character,” said I. When I played it, it seemed to please much.  Danner mentioned afterwards what I had said.  And it is really so; she is just what the andante is.  To-day I dined for the sixth time with Wendling, and for the second time in the company of Herr Schweitzer.  To-morrow, by way of a change, I dine there again; I actually have my board there.  I must now go to bed, so I wish you good-night.

I have this moment returned from Wendling’s, and as soon as I have posted this letter I am going back there, for the opera is to be rehearsed in camera caritatis, as it were.  I am going to Cannabich’s afterwards, at half-past six o’clock, to give my usual daily music-lesson.  A propos, I must correct a statement of mine.  I said yesterday that Madlle.  Cannabich was fifteen; it seems, however, that she is only just thirteen.  Our kind regards to all our friends, especially to Herr Bullinger.

83.

Mannheim, Dec. 10, 1777.