ch
as our letter bag, on its way to Oedenburg (in order to have letters put
into it), is always opened by the steward there, which has frequently
been the cause of mistake and other disagreeable occurrences. For
greater security, however, and to defeat such disgraceful curiosity,
I will henceforth enclose all my letters in a separate envelope to the
porter, Herr Pointer. This trick annoys me the more because you might
justly reproach me with procrastination, from which may Heaven defend
me! At all events, the prying person, whether male or female, cannot,
either in this last letter or in any of the others, have discovered
anything in the least inconsistent with propriety. And now, my esteemed
patroness, when am I to have the inexpressible happiness of seeing you
in Estoras? As business does not admit of my going to Vienna, I console
myself by the hope of kissing your hands here this summer. In which
pleasing hope, I am, with high consideration, etc., yours,

HAYDN.

To Frau v. Genzinger.

ESTORAS, May 30, 1790.

KINDEST AND BEST FRAU V. GENZINGER,

I was at Oedenburg when I received your last welcome letter, having gone
there on purpose to enquire about the lost letter. The steward there
vowed by all that was holy that he had seen no letter at that time in my
writing, so that it must have been lost in Estoras! Be this as it
may, such curiosity can do me no harm, far less yourself, as the whole
contents of the letter were an account of my opera "La Vera Costanza,"
performed in the new theatre in the Landstrasse, and about the French
teacher who was to have come at that time to Estoras. You need,
therefore, be under no uneasiness, dear lady, either as regards the past
or the future, for my friendship and esteem for you (tender as they are)
can never become reprehensible, having always before my eyes respect
for your elevated virtues, which not only I, but all who know you, must
reverence. Do not let this deter you from consoling me sometimes by your
agreeable letters, as they are so highly necessary to cheer me in this
wilderness, and to soothe my deeply wounded heart. Oh! that I could be
with you, dear lady, even for one quarter of an hour, to pour forth all
my sorrows, and to receive comfort from you. I am obliged to submit to
many vexations from our official managers here, which, however, I shall
at present pass over in silence. The sole consolation left me is that I
am, thank God, well, and eagerly disposed