will gladly pay all expenses, for Heaven
alone can tell when the symphonies from Brussels may arrive here.
I cannot dispense with this one, without incurring great loss. Pray
forgive my plaguing you so often on the subject, but I shall indeed
be truly grateful if you will send it. Being overwhelmed with work at
present, I cannot as yet write to Herr v. Kees. Pray, then, apply to him
yourself for the said symphony.

With my kind respects, I am, yours, etc.,

HAYDN.

You shall have a good portion of the sewing needles.

To Frau v. Genzinger.

LONDON, March 2, 1792.

Yesterday morning I received your valued letter, and also the
long-looked-for symphony. I humbly kiss your hands for sending it so
safely and quickly. I had indeed received it six days previously from
Brussels, through Herr v. Kees; but the score was more useful, as a good
deal must be altered in it to suit the English taste. I only regret that
I must trouble you so frequently with my commissions, especially as at
present I cannot adequately testify my gratitude. I do positively assure
and declare to you that this causes me great embarrassment, and indeed
often makes me feel very sad; the more so that, owing to various urgent
causes, I am unable to send you as yet the new symphony dedicated to
you. First, because I wish to alter and embellish the last movement,
which is too feeble when compared with the first. I felt this conviction
myself quite as much as the public, when it was performed for the first
time last Friday; notwithstanding which, it made the most profound
impression on the audience. The second reason is that I really dread the
risk of its falling into other hands. I was not a little startled when
I read the unpleasant intelligence about the sonata. By Heavens! I would
rather have lost twenty-five ducats than have suffered such a theft, and
the only one who can have done this is my own copyist; but I fervently
hope to supply the loss through Madame Tost, for I do not wish to incur
any reproaches from her. You must therefore, dear lady, be indulgent
towards me, until I can towards the end of July myself have the pleasure
of placing in your hands the sonata, as well as the symphony. Nota bene,
the symphony is to be given by myself, but the sonata by Madame Tost.
It is equally impossible for me to send Herr v. Kees the promised
symphonies at present, for here too there is a great want of faithful
copyists. If I had time, I would write them