f friendship and whom I shall direct
to treat for my account in case an offer should present.

I anxiously hope your health is improving, give me leave to subscrive
myself

Dear Sir

Your very obedient Serv.

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN.

201.

TO ZMESKALL.

Dec. 16, 1816.

With this, dear Zmeskall, you will receive my friendly dedication [a
stringed quartet, Op. 95], which may, I hope, serve as a pleasant memorial
of our long-enduring friendship here; pray accept it as a proof of my
esteem, and not merely as the extreme end of a thread long since spun out
(for you are one of my earliest friends in Vienna).

Farewell! Beware of mouldering fortresses! for an attack on them will be
more trying than on those in a better state of preservation! As ever,

Your friend,

BEETHOVEN.

N.B. When you have a moment's leisure, let me know the probable cost of a
livery, without linen, but including hat and boots. Strange changes have
come to pass in my house. The man is off to the devil, I am thankful to
say, whereas his wife seems the more resolved to take root here.

202.

TO FRAU VON STREICHER--NEE STEIN.

Dec. 28, 1816.

N---- ought to have given you the New Year's tickets yesterday, but it
seems she did not do so. The day before I was occupied with Maelzel, whose
business was pressing, as he leaves this so soon; otherwise you may be sure
that I would have hurried up again to see you. Your dear kind daughter was
with me yesterday, but I scarcely ever remember being so ill; my _precious
servants_ were occupied from seven o'clock till ten at night in trying to
heat the stove. The bitter cold, particularly in my room, caused me a
chill, and the whole of yesterday I could scarcely move a limb. All day I
was coughing, and had the most severe headache I ever had in my life; so by
six o'clock in the evening I was obliged to go to bed, where I still am,
though feeling somewhat better. Your brother dined with me yesterday, and
has shown me great kindness. You are aware that on the same day, the 27th
of December, I discharged B. [Baberl]. I cannot endure either of these vile
creatures; I wonder if Nany will behave rather better from the departure of
her colleague? I doubt it--but in that case I shall send her _packing_
without any ceremony. She is too uneducated for a housekeeper, indeed quite
a _beast_; but the other, in spite of her pretty face, is even _lower than
the beasts_. As the New Year draws near, I think five f