oncile myself to spend my life there; no, not even to amass
millions; my reasons I will tell you when we meet. I think of my home,
and embracing once more all my old friends, with the delight of a child;
only I deeply lament that the great Mozart will not be of the number, if
it be true, which I trust it is not, that he is dead. Posterity will not
see such talent as his for the next hundred years! I am happy to hear
that you and yours are all so well. I, too, have hitherto been in
excellent health, till eight days since, when I was attacked by English
rheumatism, and so severely that sometimes I could not help crying out
aloud; but I hope soon to get quit of it, as I have adopted the usual
custom here, and have wrapped myself up from head to foot in flannel.
Pray excuse my bad writing. In the hope of soon being gratified by
a letter, and with all esteem for yourself, and best regards to your
husband, my dear Fraulein Pepi, and the others.

I am, etc.,

HAYDN.

P.S.--Pray give my respects to Herr v. Kreybich [chamber music director
to Joseph II].

To Frau v. Genzinger.

LONDON, Jan. 17, 1792.

DEAREST AND KINDEST LADY,

I must ask your forgiveness a thousand times; and I own and bemoan that
I have been too dilatory in the performance of my promise, but if you
could only see how I am importuned to attend private concerts, causing
me great loss of time, and the mass of work with which I am burdened,
you would indeed, dear lady, feel the utmost compassion for me. Never
in my life did I write so much in one year as during the last, which has
indeed utterly exhausted me, and it will do me good to be able to take
a little rest when I return home. At present I am working for Salomon's
concerts, and feel bound to take all possible trouble, for our rivals of
the Professional Society have sent for my pupil Pleyel from Strassburg,
to direct their concerts. So a bloody harmonious war will now commence
between master and scholar. All the newspapers have begun to discuss
the subject, but I think an alliance will soon ensue, my reputation here
being so firmly established. Pleyel, on his arrival, displayed so much
modesty towards me that he gained my goodwill afresh. We are very often
together, which is much to his credit, and he knows how to appreciate
his "father"; we will share our laurels fairly, and each go home
satisfied. Professional Concerts met with a great misfortune on the 14th
of this month, by the Pantheon bein