.
Farewell, dear Ries; if I can in any way serve you, look on me as

Your true friend,

BEETHOVEN.

170.

TO GIANNATASIO DEL RIO,--VIENNA.

Feb. 1816.

SIR,--

I have great pleasure in saying that at last I intend to-morrow to place
under your care the dear pledge intrusted to me. But I must impress on you
not to permit any influence on the mother's part to decide when and where
she is to see her son. We can, however, discuss all this more minutely
to-morrow.... You must keep a watchful eye on your servant, for mine was
_bribed by her_ on one occasion. More as to this verbally, though it is a
subject on which I would fain be silent; but the future welfare of the
youth you are to train renders this unpleasant communication necessary. I
remain, with esteem,

Your faithful servant and friend,

BEETHOVEN.

171.

TO G. DEL RIO.

1816.

Your estimable lady, Mdme. A.G. [Giannatasio] is politely requested to let
the undersigned know as soon as possible (that I may not be obliged to keep
it all in my head) how many pairs of stockings, trousers, shoes, and
drawers are required, and how many yards of kerseymere to make a pair of
black trousers for my tall nephew; and for the sake of the "Castalian
Spring" I beg, without any further reminders on my part, that I may receive
an answer to this.

As for the Lady Abbess [a nickname for their only daughter], there shall be
a conference held on Carl's affair to-night, viz., if things are to
continue as they are.

Your well (and ill) born

BEETHOVEN.

172.

TO G. DEL RIO.

1816.

I heard yesterday evening, unluckily at too late an hour, that you had
something to give me; had it not been for this, I would have called on you.
I beg, however, that you will send it, as I have no doubt it is a letter
for me from the "Queen of the Night."[1] Although you gave me permission to
fetch Carl twice already, I must ask you to let him come to me when I send
for him at eleven o'clock to-morrow, as I wish to take him with me to hear
some interesting music. It is also my intention to make him play to me
to-morrow, as it is now some time since I heard him. I hope you will urge
him to study more closely than usual to-day, that he may in some degree
make up for his holiday. I embrace you cordially, and remain,

Yours truly,

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote 1: The "Queen of the Night" was the name given to Carl's mother
by Beethoven. She was a person of great levity o