line
and plummet; but Wieland says: "A little book may be well worth a few
_groschen_." Will Y.R.H. therefore honor these poems by permitting your
august name to be prefixed to them, as a token of your sympathy for the
benefit of this man? the work is not likely to be quite devoid of value.
Being convinced of Y.R.H.'s interest in all that is noble and beautiful, I
hope I shall not fail in my intercession for Naegeli, and I beg that Y.R.H.
will give me a written permission to inform Naegeli that you will be one of
his subscribers.

I remain, with all dutiful fidelity and devotion, your R. Highness's
obedient servant,

BEETHOVEN.

386.

TO HIS NEPHEW.

Baden, August 29, 1824.

MY DEAR YOUNG SCAMP,--

How active our _mahogany Holz_ [wood] is! My plans are decided. We will
give the present quartet to Artaria, and the last to Peters. You see I have
learned something; I now perceive why I first _explored the path_; it was
for your sake, that you might find it smooth. My digestion is terribly out
of order, and no physician! I wish to have some ready-made pens, so send
some in a letter. Don't write to Peters on Saturday; we had better wait a
little, to show him our indifference on the subject.

Since yesterday I have only taken some soup, and a couple of eggs, and
drank nothing but water; my tongue is discolored; and without medicine and
tonics, whatever my farcical doctor may say, my digestion will never
improve.

The third quartet [in C sharp minor, Op. 131] also contains six movements,
and will certainly be finished in ten or twelve days at most. Continue to
love me, my dear boy; if I ever cause you pain, it is not from a wish to
grieve you, but for your eventual benefit. I now conclude. I embrace you
cordially. All I wish is that you should be loving, industrious, and
upright. Write to me, my dear son. I regret all the trouble I give you, but
it will not go on long. Holz seems inclined to become our friend. I expect
a letter soon from [illegible].

Your faithful

FATHER.

387.

ROUGH DRAFT OF A LETTER TO PETERS.

1824.

I wrote to you that a quartet ["and a grand one too" is effaced] is ready
for you; as soon, therefore, as you let me know that you will accept it for
the 360 florins C.M., or 80 ducats, I will at once forward it to you. My
works are now paid at a higher rate than ever; besides, you have only
yourself to blame in this affair. Your own letters show what you formerly
desired to have,