eat my warmest thanks for the
courtesies received from your Excellency, for your attention
to my slender efforts, for the dignity and splendour you
bestowed upon my piece, for all your Excellency did to exalt
its little merits and hide its weaknesses by the greatest
outlay of theatric art. The shortness of my stay at Mannheim
would not allow me to go into details respecting the play or
its representation; and as I could not say all, my time
being meted out to me so sparingly, I thought it better to
say absolutely nothing. I observed much, I learned much; and
I believe, if Germany shall ever find in me a true dramatic
poet, I must reckon the date of my commencement from the
past week.' * * *

* * * * *

'Stuttgard, 24th May 1782.

* * * 'My impatient wish to see the piece played a second
time, and the absence of my Sovereign favouring that
purpose, have induced me, with some ladies and male friends
as full of curiosity respecting Dalberg's theatre and
_Robbers_ as myself, to undertake a little journey to
Mannheim, which we are to set about tomorrow. As this is the
principal aim of our journey, and to me a more perfect
enjoyment of my play is an exceedingly important object,
especially since this would put it in my power to set about
_Fiesco_ under better auspices, I make it my earnest request
of your Excellency, if possible, to procure me this
enjoyment on Tuesday the 28th current.' * * *

* * * * *

'Stuttgard, 4th June 1782.

'The satisfaction I enjoyed at Mannheim in such copious
fulness, I have paid, since my return, by this epidemical
disorder, which has made me till today entirely unfit to
thank your Excellency for so much regard and kindness. And
yet I am forced almost to repent the happiest journey of my
life; for by a truly mortifying contrast of Mannheim with my
native country, it has pained me so much, that Stuttgard and
all Swabian scenes are become intolerable to me. Unhappier
than I am can no one be. I have feeling enough of my bad
condition, perhaps also feeling enough of my meriting a
better; and in both points of view but _one_ prospect of
relief.

'May I dare to cast myself into your arms, my generous
benefactor? I know how soon your