he C minor pianoforte Sonata, Op. 111?]

312.

TO HERR PETERS.

Vienna, December 20, 1822.

I take advantage of a moment's leisure to-day to answer your letter. Not
one of all the works that are your property is unfinished, but time is too
precious to particularize all the details that prevent the copying and
sending off the music to you. I recollect in a former letter having offered
you some more _bagatelles_, but I by no means press you to take them. If
you wish only to have the four, so be it; but in that case I must make a
different selection. Herr ---- has not as yet got anything from me. Herr
---- begged me to make him a present of the songs for the "Journal de la
Mode," which, in fact, I did not write for money; indeed, I find it quite
impossible to act in every case according to so much _per cent_. It is
painful for me to calculate in this manner oftener than is absolutely
necessary. My position is far from being so brilliant as you think, &c.,
&c. It is not possible to listen to all these proposals at once, being far
too numerous, but many cannot be refused. A commission is not always quite
in accordance with the inclinations of an author. If my salary were not so
far reduced as to be no salary at all,[1] I would write nothing but
symphonies for a full orchestra, and church music, or at most quartets.

Of my minor works, you can still have Variations for two oboes and one
English horn, on the theme from "Don Giovanni," "_La ci darem la mano_,"
and a Gratulation Minuet for a full orchestra. I should be glad, likewise,
to have your opinion about the full edition of my works.

In the most desperate haste, your obedient

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote 1: It was reduced from 4000 gulden to 800.]

313.

TO F. RIES,--LONDON

Vienna, December 20, 1822.

MY DEAR RIES,--

I have been so overburdened with work that I am only now able to reply to
your letter of November 15. I accept with pleasure the proposal to write a
new symphony for the Philharmonic Society. Although the prices given by the
English cannot be compared with those paid by other nations, still I would
gladly write even gratis for those whom I consider the first artists in
Europe--were I not still, as ever, the poor Beethoven.

If I were only in London, what would I not write for the Philharmonic! For
Beethoven, thank God! can write--if he can do nothing in the world besides!
If Providence only vouchsafes to restore my health, which is at least