or yourself. Your
beautiful hands, and their brilliant execution, deserve this, and more.
I know that I ought to have composed the sonata in accordance with the
capabilities of your piano, but, being so unaccustomed to this, I found
it impossible, and now I am doomed to stay at home. What I lose by so
doing you can well imagine: It is indeed sad always to be a slave--but
Providence wills it so. I am a poor creature, plagued perpetually by
hard work, and with few hours for recreation. Friends? What do I say?
One true friend; there are no longer any true friends, but one female
friend. Oh yes! no doubt I still have one, but she is far away. Ah
well! I take refuge in my thoughts. May God bless her, and may she never
forget me! Meanwhile I kiss your hands a thousand times, and ever am,
etc.,

HAYDN.

Pray forgive my bad writing. I am suffering from inflamed eyes to-day.

To Frau v. Genzinger.

ESTORAS, July 4, 1790.

MOST ESTEEMED AND VALUED LADY,

I this moment receive your letter, and at the same time the post
departs. I sincerely rejoice to hear that my Prince intends to present
you with a new piano, more especially as I am in some measure the
cause of this, having been constantly imploring Mademoiselle Nanette to
persuade your husband to purchase one for you. The choice now depends
entirely on yourself, and the chief point is that you should select one
in accordance with your touch and your taste. Certainly my friend,
Herr Walter, is very celebrated, and every year I receive the greatest
civility from him; but, entre nous, and to speak candidly, sometimes
there is not more than one out of ten of his instruments which may be
called really good, and they are exceedingly high priced besides. I know
Herr Nickl's piano; it is first-rate, but too heavy for your touch;
nor can every passage be rendered with proper delicacy on it. I should,
therefore, like you to try one of Herr Schanz's pianos, for they have
a remarkably light and agreeable touch. A good pianoforte is absolutely
necessary for you, and my sonata will also gain vastly by it.

Meanwhile I thank you much, dear lady, for your caution with regard to
Mademoiselle Nanette. It is a pity that the little gold box she gave me,
and had used herself, is tarnished, but perhaps I may get it polished up
in Vienna. I have as yet received no orders to purchase a pianoforte. I
fear that one may be sent to your house, which may be handsome outside,
but the touch withi