m a poor unfortunate creature!

In haste, as ever, yours.

243.

TO ZMESKALL.

DEAR Z.,--

I give up the journey; at least I will not pledge myself on this point. The
matter must be more maturely considered. In the mean time the work is
already sent off to the Prince Regent. _If they want me they can have me_,
and I am still at _liberty_ to say _yes_! or _no_! Liberty!!!! what more
can any one desire!!!

244.

TO ZMESKALL.

DEAR Z.,--

Don't be angry about my note. Are you not aware of my present condition,
which is like that of Hercules with Queen Omphale??? I asked you to buy me
a looking-glass like yours, which I now return, but if you do not require
it, I wish you would send yours back to me to-day, for mine is broken.
Farewell, and do not write in such high-flown terms about me, for never
have I felt so strongly as now the strength and the weakness of human
nature.

Continue your regard for me.

245.

TO FRAU VON STREICHER.

The Autumn of 1817.

I have had an interview with your husband, whose sympathy did me both good
and harm, for Streicher almost upset my resignation. God alone knows the
result! but as I have always assisted my fellow-men when I had the power to
do so, I also rely on his mercy to me.

Educate your daughter carefully, that she may make a good wife.

To-day happens to be Sunday; so I will quote you something out of the
Bible,--"Love one another." I conclude with best regards to your best of
daughters, and with the wish that all your wounds may be healed.

When you visit the ancient ruins [Frau Streicher was in Baden], do not
forget that Beethoven has often lingered there; when you stray through the
silent pine forests, do not forget that Beethoven often wrote poetry there,
or, as it is termed, _composed_.

246.

TO FRAU VON STREICHER.

How deeply am I indebted to you, my excellent friend, and I have become
such a poor creature that I have no means of repaying you. I am very
grateful to Streicher for all the trouble he has taken on my behalf [about
a house in the Gaertner Strasse], and beg he will continue his inquiries.
God will, I hope, one day enable me to return benefit for benefit, but this
being at present impossible, grieves me most of all....

Now Heaven be praised! [he thus winds up a long letter about a bad
servant,] I have contrived to collect all these particulars for you with no
little toil and trouble, and God grant that I may never, never more be