r my works is at present very great, for which I thank
the Almighty, as I have hitherto been such a loser. I am the foster-father
of my brother's destitute child, a boy who shows so much aptitude for
scientific pursuits that not only does his study of these, and his
maintenance, cost a great deal of money, but I must also strive to make
some future provision for him; being neither Indians nor Iroquois, who, as
we know, leave everything to Providence, whereas we consider a pauper's
existence to be a very sad one.

I assure you on my honor, which, next to God, is what I prize most, that I
authorized no one to accept commissions for me. My fixed principle has
always been never to make any offer to publishers; not from pride, but
simply from a wish to ascertain how far the empire of my small talents
extended.

I must conclude for to-day, and wishing you every success, I am, with
esteem,

Your obedient

BEETHOVEN.

308.[1]

TO HERR PETERS.

Vienna, August 3, 1822.

I already wrote to you that my health was still far from being quite
restored. I am obliged to have recourse to baths and mineral waters as well
as to medicine; all this makes me rather unpunctual, especially as I must
go on writing; corrections, too, run away with a great deal of time.

As to the songs and marches and other trifles, my choice is still
undecided, but by the 15th of this month everything shall be ready to be
sent off. I await your orders on the subject, and in the mean time shall
make no use of your bill of exchange. As soon as I know that the money for
the Mass and the other works has arrived here, all shall be ready for
delivery by the 15th; and after that date I must set off to some mineral
waters near this, when it will be most desirable for me to avoid all
business for a time. More as to other matters when less occupied. Pray, do
not suspect me of any ignoble motives. It pains me when I am obliged to
bargain.

In haste. With esteem, yours,

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote 1: Schindler states that the advance of 360 florins C.M. was
made to Beethoven in August, 1822. The receipt is dated Nov. 30, 1825.]

309.

TO HERR ARTARIA.

August 22, 1822.

Being overwhelmed with work, I can only briefly say that I will always do
what I can to repay your obliging kindness to me. With regard to the Mass,
I have been offered 1000 florins (C.M.) for it. My circumstances do not
permit me to accept a less sum from you; all that I can do is to g