We can correspond again about my visit to London. To be rescued from this
wretched and miserable condition is my only hope of deliverance, for as it
is I can neither enjoy health, nor accomplish what I could do under more
favorable auspices.

263.

TO THE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY IN LAIBACH.[1]

Vienna, May 4, 1819.

I fully appreciate the high compliment paid to me by the respected members
of the Philharmonic Society, in acknowledgment of my poor musical deserts,
by electing me honorary member of their Society, and sending me the diploma
through Herr von Tuscher; and as a proof of my sense of this honor, I
intend in due course to forward to the Society an unpublished work of
mine.[2] Moreover, at any time when I can be of use to the Society, I shall
be prepared to forward their wishes.

I remain,
the humble servant and honorary member
of the Philharmonic Society,

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote 1: In Dr. Fr. Keesbacher's pamphlet, "_The Philharmonic Society
in Laibach, from 1702 to 1862_," he says:--"The Philharmonic Society,
always anxious to add to its lustre by attracting honorary members,
resolved to appoint the great master of harmony as one of these. This idea
had previously occurred to them in 1808. At that time they asked Dr. Anton
Schmidt whether he thought that the election of Beethoven, and also
Hummel's son, would contribute to the advancement of the Society. On that
occasion the Society appear to have had recourse to Haydn for the
composition of a Canon; whether they applied to him for a new one or an
already existing one is not known. Schmidt replied, 'I, for my part, with
such an object in view, would prefer giving my vote for the latter,
(Hummel's son, who is second Kapellmeister, Haydn being the first, to the
reigning Prince Niklas Esterhazy.) _Beethoven is as full of caprice as he
is devoid of complaisance._ I have not seen Father Haydn for a long time,
his residence being so distant. He is now in failing health and scarcely
ever writes; I will, however, shortly call on him and make the attempt to
get a Canon from him.' This discouraging picture of Beethoven, who had
indeed too often a repulsive manner, might well deprive the Society of all
courage to think any more of him as one of their honorary members. On the
15th of March, 1819, however, the Society prepared the diploma for
Beethoven, the usually stereotyped form being exceptionally varied in his
honor, and running thus:--'The Philharmo