LETTERS.--HIS STATE OF HEALTH.--COMPOSITIONS AND THEIR
PUBLICATION.--PLAYING THE ORGAN AT A FUNERAL SERVICE FOR NOURRIT.--AN
EXCURSION TO GENOA.--DEPARTURE FOR NOHANT.

As George Sand and her party were obliged to stop at Marseilles, she had
Chopin examined by Dr. Cauviere. This celebrated physician thought him
in great danger, but, on seeing him recover rapidly, augured that with
proper care his patient might nevertheless live a long time. Their stay
at Marseilles was more protracted than they intended and desired; in
fact, they did not start for Nohant till the 22nd of May. Dr. Cauviere
would not permit Chopin to leave Marseilles before summer; but whether
this was the only cause of the long sojourn of the Sand party in the
great commercial city, or whether there were others, I have not been
able to discover. Happily, we have first-hand information--namely,
letters of Chopin and George Sand--to throw a little light on these
months of the pianist-composer's life. As to his letters, their main
contents consist of business matters--wranglings about terms, abuse of
publishers, &c. Here and there, however, we find also a few words about
his health, characteristic remarks about friends and acquaintances,
interesting hints about domestic arrangements and the like--the allusion
(in the letter of March 2, 1839) to a will made by him some time before,
and which he wishes to be burned, will be read with some curiosity.

An extract or two from the letter which George Sand wrote on March 8,
1839, to Francois Rollinat, launches us at once in medias res.

At last we are in Marseilles. Chopin has stood the passage
very well. He is very weak here, but is doing infinitely
better in all respects, and is in the hands of Dr. Cauviere,
an excellent man and excellent physician, who takes a paternal
care of him, and who answers for his recovery. We breathe at
last, but after how many troubles and anxieties!...Write to me
here to the address of Dr. Cauviere, Rue de Rome, 71.

Chopin charges me to shake you heartily by the hand for him.
Maurice and Solange embrace you. They are wonderfully well.
Maurice has completely recovered.

Chopin to Fontana; Marseilles, March 2, 1839:--

You no doubt learned from Grzymala of the state of my health
and my manuscripts. Two months ago I sent you from Palma my
Preludes. After making a copy of them for Probst and getting
the money from him, you were to give to Leo 1,000 fr