stead of Pianoforte--_Hammer Clavier_.

Such is our will and pleasure.

Given on the 23d of January, 1817, by the _Generalissimus_.

_Manu propria._

214.

TO STEINER.

The following dedication occurred to me of my new Sonata:--

"Sonata for the Pianoforte,
or
_Hammer Clavier_.
Composed and dedicated to Frau Baronin Dorothea
Ertmann--nee Graumann,
by
Ludwig van Beethoven."

If the title is already engraved, I have the two following proposals to
make; viz., that I pay for one title--I mean that it should be at my
expense, or reserved for another new sonata of mine, for which purpose the
mines of the Lieutenant-General (or _pleno titulo_, Lieutenant-General and
First Councillor of State) must be opened to usher it into the light of
day; the title to be previously shown to a good linguist. _Hammer Clavier_
is certainly German, and so is the device. Honor to whom honor is due! How
is it, then, that I have as yet received no reports of the carrying out of
my orders, which, however, have no doubt been attended to?

Ever and always your attached

_Amicus
ad Amicum
de Amico._

[Music: Treble clef.
O Ad-ju-tant!]

N.B. I beg you will observe the most profound silence about the dedication,
as I wish it to be a surprise!

215.

TO ZMESKALL.

Jan. 30, 1817.

DEAR Z.,--

You seem to place me on a level with Schuppanzigh, &c., and have distorted
the plain and simple meaning of my words. You are not my debtor, but I am
yours, and now you make me so more than ever. I cannot express to you the
pain your gift has caused me, and I must candidly say that I cannot give
you one friendly glance _in return_. Although you confine yourself to the
practice of music, still you have often recourse to the power of
imagination, and it seems to me that this not unfrequently leads to
uncalled-for caprice on your part; at least, so it appeared to me from your
letter after my dedication. Loving as my sentiments are towards you, and
much as I prize all your goodness, still I feel provoked!--much
provoked!--terribly provoked!

Your debtor afresh,

Who will, however, contrive to have his revenge,

L. VAN BEETHOVEN.

End of Project Gutenberg's Beethoven's Letters 1790-1826, Vol. 1 of 2
by Lady Wallace

*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BEETHOVEN'S LETTERS 1790-1826 ***

***** This file should b