but Schweitzer is determined to succeed.  I think it would be just the thing for me, but well paid of course.  If the Emperor gives me 1000 gulden, I will write a German opera for him, and if he does not choose to give me a permanent engagement, it is all the same to me.  Pray write to every kind friend you can think of in Vienna, that I am capable of doing credit to the Emperor.  If he will do nothing else, he may at least try me with an opera, and as to what may occur hereafter I care not.  Adieu!  I hope you will put the thing in train at once, or some one may forestall me.

90.

Mannheim, Jan. 17, 1778.

Next Wednesday I am going for some days to Kirchheim-Boland, the residence of the Princess of Orange.  I have heard so much praise of her here, that at last I have resolved to go.  A Dutch officer, a particular friend of mine, [M. de la Pottrie,] was much upbraided by her for not bringing me with him when he went to offer his new-year’s congratulations.  I expect to receive at least eight louis-d’or, for as she has a passionate admiration of singing, I have had four arias copied out for her.  I will also present her with a symphony, for she has a very nice orchestra and gives a concert every day.  Besides, the copying of the airs will not cost me much, for a M. Weber who is going there with me has copied them.  He has a daughter who sings admirably, and has a lovely pure voice; she is only fifteen. [Footnote:  Aloysia, second daughter of the prompter and theatrical copyist, Weber, a brother of Carl Maria von Weber’s father.] She fails in nothing but in stage action; were it not for that, she might be the prima donna of any theatre.  Her father is a downright honest German who brings up his children well, for which very reason the girl is persecuted here.  He has six children,—­five girls and a son.  He and his wife and children have been obliged to live for the last fourteen years on an income of 200 florins, but as he has always done his duty well, and has lately provided a very accomplished singer for the Elector, he has now actually 400 florins.  My aria for De’ Amicis she sings to perfection with all its tremendous passages:  she is to sing it at Kirchheim-Boland.

Now for another subject.  Last Wednesday there was a great feast in our house, [at Hofkammerrath Serrarius’s,] to which I was also invited.  There were fifteen guests, and the young lady of the house [Pierron, the “House Nymph”] was to play in the evening the concerto I had taught her at eleven o’clock in the forenoon.  The Herr Kammerrath and Herr Vogler called on me.  Herr Vogler seems quite determined to become acquainted with me, as he often importuned me to go to see him, but he has overcome his pride and paid me the first visit.  Besides, people tell me that he is now very different, being no longer so much admired; for at first he was made quite an idol of here.  We went up-stairs together, when by degrees the guests assembled, and there was no end to talking.  After