the exception of my usual rheumatic
state. I work hard, and in the early mornings, when I walk in the wood
alone with my English grammar, I think of my Creator, of my family, and
of all the friends I have left--and of these you are the most valued of
all.

I had hoped, indeed, sooner to have enjoyed the felicity of seeing you
again; but my circumstances, in short, fate so wills it that I must
remain eight or ten months longer in London. Oh, my dear, good lady, how
sweet is some degree of liberty! I had a kind Prince, but was obliged at
times to be dependent on base souls. I often sighed for release, and now
I have it in some measure. I am quite sensible of this benefit, though
my mind is burdened with more work. The consciousness of being no longer
a bond-servant sweetens all my toils. But, dear as liberty is to me,
I do hope on my return again to enter the service of Prince Esterhazy,
solely for the sake of my poor family. I doubt much whether I shall find
this desire realized, for in his letter my Prince complains of my long
absence, and exacts my speedy return in the most absolute terms; which,
however, I cannot comply with, owing to a new contract I have entered
into here. I, alas! expect my dismissal; but I hope even in that case
that God will be gracious to me, and enable me in some degree to remedy
the loss by my own industry. Meanwhile I console myself by the hope of
soon hearing from you. You shall receive my promised new symphony two
months hence; but in order to inspire me with good ideas, I beg you will
write to me, and a long letter too.

Yours, etc.

HAYDN.

To Frau v. Genzinger.

LONDON, Oct. 13, 1791.

I take the liberty of earnestly entreating you to advance 150 florins
for a short time to my wife, provided you do not imagine that since
my journey I have become a bad manager. No, my kind, good friend, God
blesses my efforts. Three circumstances are alone to blame. In the first
place, since I have been here, I have repaid my Prince the 450 florins
he advanced for my journey; secondly, I can demand no interest from my
bank obligations, having placed them under your care, and not being
able to remember either the names or the numbers, so I cannot write a
receipt; thirdly, I cannot yet apply for the 5883 florins (1000 of which
I recently placed in my Prince's hands, and the rest with the Count v.
Fries), especially because it is English money. You will, therefore, see
that I am no spendthrift. T