ortrait by the next opportunity, as I understand that you really wish for
it.

Farewell! Continue your regard for me,

Your friend,

BEETHOVEN.

All sorts of pretty compliments to your pretty wife!!! From me!!!!

261.

TO RIES.

Vienna, April 16, 1819.

DEAR RIES,--

Here are the _Tempi_ of the Sonata.

1st Allegro, Allegro (alone), erase the _assai_. Maelzel's metronome
[half-note] = 138.

2d movement, Scherzoso. Maelzel's metronome [half-note] = 80.

3d movement, Maelzel's metronome [eighth-note] = 92.

Observe that a previous bar is to be inserted here, namely:--

[Music: New bar. Piano Staves (treble & bass), D major, 6/8 time.]

4th movement, Introduzione--largo. Maelzel's metronome [sixteenth-note] =
76.

5th and last movement, 3/4 time. Maelzel's metronome [half-note] = 144.

[Music: Treble clef, B-flat major.]

Pray forgive the confused way in which this is written. It would not
surprise you if you knew my situation; you would rather marvel that I
accomplish so much in spite of it. The Quintet can no longer be delayed,
and must shortly appear; but not the Sonata, until I get an answer from you
and the check, which I long to see. The name of the courier is De Smidt, by
whom you will receive both the Quintet and Sonata. I beg you will give me
an immediate answer. I will write more fully next time.

In haste, your

BEETHOVEN.

262.

TO RIES.

April 19, 1819.

MY DEAR FRIEND,--

I ask your forgiveness a thousand times for the trouble I cause you. I
cannot understand how it is that there are so many mistakes in the copying
of the Sonata. This incorrectness no doubt proceeds from my no longer being
able to keep a copyist of my own; circumstances have brought this about.
May God send me more prosperity, till ---- is in a better position! This
will not be for a whole year to come. It is really dreadful the turn
affairs have taken, and the reduction of my salary, while no man can tell
what the issue is to be till the aforesaid year has elapsed.

If the Sonata be not suitable for London, I could send another, or you
might omit the _Largo_, and begin at once with the _Fugue_ in the last
movement, or the first movement, _Adagio_, and the third the _Scherzo_, the
_Largo_, and the _Allegro risoluto_. I leave it to you to settle as you
think best. This Sonata was written at a time of great pressure. It is hard
to write for the sake of daily bread; and yet I have actually come to this!