submit to, if I were to gain twice what I do.  I find it impossible, so must leave it to those who can do nothing but play the piano.  I am a composer, and born to become a Kapellmeister, and I neither can nor ought thus to bury the talent for composition with which God has so richly endowed me (I may say this without arrogance, for I feel it now more than ever); and this I should do were I to take many pupils, for it is a most unsettled metier; and I would rather, so to speak, neglect the piano than composition, for I look on the piano to be only a secondary consideration, though, thank God! a very strong one too.  My third reason is, that I am by no means sure our friend Grimm is in Paris.  If he is, I can go there at any time with the post-carriage, for a capital one travels from here to Paris by Strassburg.  We intended at all events to have gone by it.  They travel also in this way.  Herr Wendling is inconsolable at my not going with them, but I believe this proceeds more from self-interest than from friendship.  Besides the reason I gave him (about the three letters that had come during my absence), I also told him about the pupils, and begged him to procure something certain for me, in which case I would be only too glad to follow him to Paris, (for I can easily do so,)—­ above all, if I am to write an opera, which is always in my thoughts; but French rather than German, and Italian rather than French or German.  The Wendlings, one and all, are of opinion that my compositions would please much in Paris.  I have no fears on the subject, for, as you know, I can pretty well adapt or conform myself to any style of composition.  Shortly after my arrival I composed a French song for Madlle.  Gustel (the daughter), who gave me the words, and she sings it inimitably.  I have the pleasure to enclose it for you.  It is sung every day at Wendling’s, for they are quite infatuated with it.

93.

Mannheim, Feb. 14, 1778.

I perceive by your letter of the 9th of February that you have not yet received my last two letters.  Wendling and Kamm leave this early to-morrow morning.  If I thought that you would be really displeased with me for not going to Paris with them, I should repent having stayed here; but I hope it is not so.  The road to Paris is still open to me.  Wendling has promised to inquire immediately about Herr Grimm, and to send me information at once.  With such a friend in Paris, I certainly shall go there, for no doubt he will bring something to bear for me.  The main cause of my not going with them is, that we have not been able to arrange about mamma returning to Augsburg.  The journey will not cost much, for there are vetturini here who can be engaged at a cheap rate.  By that time, however, I hope to have made enough to pay mamma’s journey home.  Just now I don’t really see that it is possible.  Herr de Jean sets off to-morrow for Paris, and as I have only finished two concertos and three quartets