CONTENTS OF VOLUME I.

FIRST PART.
LIFE'S JOYS AND SORROWS
1783-1816.

  1. [To the Elector of Cologne, Frederick Maximilian.]
  2. [To Dr. Schade, Augsburg]
  3. [To the Elector Maximilian Francis]
  4. [To Eleonore von Breuning, Bonn]
  5. [To the Same]
  6. [To Herr Schenk]
  7. [To Dr. Wegeler, Vienna]
  8. [To the Same]
  9. [Lines written in the Album of L. von Breuning]
  10. [To Baron Zmeskall von Domanowecz]
  11. [Ukase to Zmeskall, Schuppanzigh, and Lichnowsky]
  12. [To Pastor Amenda, Courland]
  13. [To the Same]
  14. [To Wegeler]
  15. [To Countess Giulietta Guicciardi]
  16. [To Matthisson]
  17. [To Frau Frank, Vienna]
  18. [To Wegeler]
  19. [To Kapellmeister Hofmeister, Leipzig]
  20. [To the Same]
  21. [To the Same]
  22. [To the Same]
  23. [Dedication to Dr. Schmidt]
  24. [To Ferdinand Ries]
  25. [To Herr Hofmeister, Leipzig]
  26. [To Carl and Johann Beethoven]
  27. [Notice]
  28. [To Ferdinand Ries]
  29. [To Herr Hofmeister, Leipzig]
  30. [Caution]
  31. [To Ries]
  32. [To the Same]
  33. [To the Same]
  34. [To the Same]
  35. [To the Composer Leidesdorf, Vienna]
  36. [To Ries]
  37. [To the Same]
  38. [To the Same]
  39. [To Messrs. Artaria & Co.]
  40. [To Princess Liechtenstein]
  41. [To Herr Meyer]
  42. [Testimonial for C. Czerny]
  43. [To Herr Röckel]
  44. [To Herr Collin, Court Secretary and Poet]
  45. [To Herr Gleichenstein]
  46. [To the Directors of the Court Theatre]
  47. [To Count Franz von Oppersdorf]
  48. [Notice of a Memorial to the Archduke Rudolph, Prince Kinsky, and Prince Lobkowitz]
  49. [Memorial to the Same]
  50. [To Zmeskall]
  51. [To Ferdinand Ries]
  52. [To Zmeskall]
  53. [To the Same]
  54. [To the Same]
  55. [To the Same]
  56. [To the Same]
  57. [To the Same]
  58. [To the Same]
  59. [To Freiherr von Hammer-Purgstall]
  60. [To the Same]
  61. [To Baroness von Drossdick]
  62. [To Mdlle. de Gerardi]
  63. [To Zmeskall]
  64. [To Wegeler]
  65. [To Zmeskall]
  66. [To Bettina Brentano]
  67. [To the Same]
  68. [To Zmeskall]
  69. [To the Same]
  70. [To the Archduke Rudolph]
  71. [To a Dear Friend]
  72. [To the Dramatic Poet Treitschke]
  73. [To Zmeskall]
  74. [To the Same]
  75. [To the Same]
  76. [To the Same]
  77. [To the Same]
  78. [To the Same]
  79. [To the Same]
  80. [To Kammerprocurator Varenna, Gratz]
  81. [To Zmeskall]
  82. [To the Same]
  83. [To Varenna, Gratz]
  84. [To Zmeskall]
  85. [To Varenna]
  86. [To Archduke Rudolph]
  87. [To the Same]
  88. [To Varenna, Gratz]
  89. [To Joseph Freiherr von Schweiger]
  90. [To Varenna, Gratz]
  91. [Lines written in the Album of Mdme. Auguste Sebald]
  92. [To Archduke Rudolph]
  93. [To Bettina von Arnim]
  94. [To Princess Kinsky]
  95. [To Archduke Rudolph]
  96. [To the Same]
  97. [To the Same]
  98. [To Princess Kinsky]
  99. [To the Same]
  100. [To Zmeskall]
  101. [To Herr Joseph Varenna, Gratz]
  102. [To the Same]
  103. [To Zmeskall]
  104. [To the Same]
  105. [To the Same]
  106. [To the Same]
  107. [To the Same]
  108. [To the Same]
  109. [To the Same]
  110. [To Archduke Rudolph]
  111. [To the Same]
  112. [To the Same]
  113. [To Freiherr Josef von Schweiger]
  114. [To Herr von Baumeister]
  115. [To Zmeskall]
  116. [Letter of Thanks]
  117. [To the Archduke Rudolph]
  118. [To the Same]
  119. [To the Same]
  120. [To Treitschke]
  121. [To the Same]
  122. [To the Same]
  123. [To Count Lichnowsky.]
  124. [To the Same]
  125. [To the Archduke Rudolph]
  126. [To the Same]
  127. [Deposition]
  128. [To Dr. Kauka, Prague.]
  129. [Address and Appeal to London Artists]
  130. [To Dr. Kauka]
  131. [To Count Moritz Lichnowsky]
  132. [To the Archduke Rudolph]
  133. [To the Same]
  134. [To the Same]
  135. [To the Same]
  136. [To the Same]
  137. [To the Same]
  138. [To the Same]
  139. [To the Same]
  140. [To Dr. Kauka]
  141. [To the Same]
  142. [To the Same]
  143. [To the Members of the Landrecht]
  144. [To Baron von Pasqualati]
  145. [To Dr. Kauka]
  146. [To the Archduke Rudolph]

SECOND PART.
LIFE'S MISSION.
1815-1822.

  1. [Music written in Spohr's Album]
  2. [To Dr. Kauka]
  3. [To the Same]
  4. [To the Same]
  5. [To Mr. Salomon, London]
  6. [To the Archduke Rudolph]
  7. [To the Same]
  8. [To the Same]
  9. [To the Same]
  10. [To the Same]
  11. [To the Same]
  12. [To Mr. Birchall, Music Publisher, London]
  13. [To Zmeskall]
  14. [To the Archduke Rudolph]
  15. [To Messrs. Birchall, London]
  16. [To Herr Ries]
  17. [To Zmeskall]
  18. [To Mdlle. Milder-Hauptmann]
  19. [To Ries]
  20. [To Mr. Birchall, London]
  21. [To Czerny]
  22. [To the Same]
  23. [To Ries, London]
  24. [To Giannatasio del Rio, Vienna]
  25. [To the Same]
  26. [To the Same]
  27. [To the Same]
  28. [To Ferdinand Ries, London]
  29. [To the Same]
  30. [Power of Attorney]
  31. [To Ferdinand Ries]
  32. [To Giannatasio del Rio]
  33. [To the Same]
  34. [To the Archduke Rudolph]
  35. [To Mr. Birchall London]
  36. [To the Same]
  37. [To Giannatasio del Rio]
  38. [To the Same]
  39. [To Zmeskall]
  40. [To Dr. Kauka]
  41. [Query]
  42. [To Giannatasio del Rio]
  43. [To the Same]
  44. [To Wegeler]
  45. [To Mr. Birchall, London]
  46. [To Zmeskall]
  47. [To the Archduke Rudolph]
  48. [To Freiherr von Schweiger]
  49. [To Giannatasio del Rio]
  50. [To the Same]
  51. [To the Same]
  52. [To the Same]
  53. [To Herr Tschischka]
  54. [To Mr. Birchall]
  55. [To Zmeskall]
  56. [To Frau von Streicher]
  57. [To the Same]
  58. [To the Same]
  59. [To the Same]
  60. [To the Same]
  61. [To the Archduke Rudolph]
  62. [To Giannatasio del Rio]
  63. [To the Same]
  64. [To the Same]
  65. [To Hofrath von Mosel]
  66. [To S.A. Steiner, Music Publisher, Vienna]
  67. [To the Same]
  68. [To the Same]
  69. [To Zmeskall]

[FIRST PART.]
LIFE'S JOYS AND SORROWS.
1783 TO 1815.

1.
TO THE ELECTOR OF COLOGNE, FREDERICK MAXIMILIAN.[1]

ILLUSTRIOUS PRINCE,--

Music from my fourth year has ever been my favorite pursuit. Thus early introduced to the sweet Muse, who attuned my soul to pure harmony, I loved her, and sometimes ventured to think that I was beloved by her in return. I have now attained my eleventh year, and my Muse often whispered to me in hours of inspiration,--Try to write down the harmonies in your soul. Only eleven years old! thought I; does the character of an author befit me? and what would more mature artists say? I felt some trepidation; but my Muse willed it--so I obeyed, and wrote.

May I now, therefore, Illustrious Prince, presume to lay the first-fruits of my juvenile labors at the foot of your throne? and may I hope that you will condescend to cast an encouraging and kindly glance on them? You will; for Art and Science have ever found in you a judicious protector and a generous patron, and rising talent has always prospered under your fostering and fatherly care. Encouraged by this cheering conviction, I venture to approach you with these my youthful efforts. Accept them as the pure offering of childlike reverence, and graciously vouchsafe to regard with indulgence them and their youthful composer,

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote 1: The dedication affixed to this work, "Three Sonatas for the Piano, dedicated to my illustrious master, Maximilian Friedrich, Archbishop and Elector of Cologne, by Ludwig van Beethoven in his eleventh year," is probably not written by the boy himself, but is given here as an amusing contrast to his subsequent ideas with regard to the homage due to rank.]

2.
TO DR. SCHADE,--AUGSBURG.

Bonn, 1787. Autumn.

MY MOST ESTEEMED FRIEND,--

I can easily imagine what you must think of me, and I cannot deny that you have too good grounds for an unfavorable opinion. I shall not, however, attempt to justify myself, until I have explained to you the reasons why my apologies should be accepted. I must tell you that from the time I left Augsburg[1] my cheerfulness, as well as my health, began to decline; the nearer I came to my native city, the more frequent were the letters from my father, urging me to travel with all possible speed, as my mother's health was in a most precarious condition. I therefore hurried forwards as fast as I could, although myself far from well. My longing once more to see my dying mother overcame every obstacle, and assisted me in surmounting the greatest difficulties. I found my mother indeed still alive, but in the most deplorable state; her disease was consumption, and about seven weeks ago, after much pain and suffering, she died [July 17]. She was indeed a kind, loving mother to me, and my best friend. Ah! who was happier than I, when I could still utter the sweet name of mother, and it was heard? But to whom can I now say it? Only to the silent form resembling her, evoked by the power of imagination. I have passed very few pleasant hours since my arrival here, having during the whole time been suffering from asthma, which may, I fear, eventually turn to consumption; to this is added melancholy,--almost as great an evil as my malady itself. Imagine yourself in my place, and then I shall hope to receive your forgiveness for my long silence. You showed me extreme kindness and friendship by lending me three Carolins in Augsburg, but I must entreat your indulgence for a time. My journey cost me a great deal, and I have not the smallest hopes of earning anything here. Fate is not propitious to me in Bonn. Pardon my intruding on you so long with my affairs, but all that I have said was necessary for my own justification.

I do entreat you not to deprive me of your valuable friendship; nothing do I wish so much as in any degree to become worthy of your regard. I am, with all esteem, your obedient servant and friend,

L. V. BEETHOVEN,
Cologne Court Organist.

[Footnote 1: On his return from Vienna, whither Max Franz had sent him for the further cultivation of his talents.]

3.
TO THE ELECTOR MAXIMILIAN FRANCIS.[1]

1793.

MOST ILLUSTRIOUS AND GRACIOUS PRINCE,--

Some years ago your Highness was pleased to grant a pension to my father, the Court tenor Van Beethoven, and further graciously to decree that 100 R. Thalers of his salary should be allotted to me, for the purpose of maintaining, clothing, and educating my two younger brothers, and also defraying the debts incurred by our father. It was my intention to present this decree to your Highness's treasurer, but my father earnestly implored me to desist from doing so, that he might not be thus publicly proclaimed incapable himself of supporting his family, adding that he would engage to pay me the 25 R.T. quarterly, which he punctually did. After his death, however (in December last), wishing to reap the benefit of your Highness's gracious boon, by presenting the decree, I was startled to find that my father had destroyed it.

I therefore, with all dutiful respect, entreat your Highness to renew this decree, and to order the paymaster of your Highness's treasury to grant me the last quarter of this benevolent addition to my salary (due the beginning of February). I have the honor to remain,

Your Highness's most obedient and faithful servant,

LUD. V. BEETHOVEN,
Court Organist.

[Footnote 1: An electoral decree was issued in compliance with this request on May 3, 1793.]

4.
TO ELEONORE VON BREUNING,--BONN.

Vienna, Nov. 2, 1793.

MY HIGHLY ESTEEMED ELEONORE, MY DEAREST FRIEND,--

A year of my stay in this capital has nearly elapsed before you receive a letter from me, and yet the most vivid remembrance of you is ever present with me. I have often conversed in thought with you and your dear family, though not always in the happy mood I could have wished, for that fatal misunderstanding still hovered before me, and my conduct at that time is now hateful in my sight. But so it was, and how much would I give to have the power wholly to obliterate from my life a mode of acting so degrading to myself, and so contrary to the usual tenor of my character!

Many circumstances, indeed, contributed to estrange us, and I suspect that those tale-bearers who repeated alternately to you and to me our mutual expressions were the chief obstacles to any good understanding between us. Each believed that what was said proceeded from deliberate conviction, whereas it arose only from anger, fanned by others; so we were both mistaken. Your good and noble disposition, my dear friend, is sufficient security that you have long since forgiven me. We are told that the best proof of sincere contrition is to acknowledge our faults; and this is what I wish to do. Let us now draw a veil over the whole affair, learning one lesson from it,--that when friends are at variance, it is always better to employ no mediator, but to communicate directly with each other.

With this you will receive a dedication from me [the variations on "Se vuol ballare">[. My sole wish is that the work were greater and more worthy of you. I was applied to here to publish this little work, and I take advantage of the opportunity, my beloved Eleonore, to give you a proof of my regard and friendship for yourself, and also a token of my enduring remembrance of your family. Pray then accept this trifle, and do not forget that it is offered by a devoted friend. Oh! if it only gives you pleasure, my wishes will be fulfilled. May it in some degree recall the time when I passed so many happy hours in your house! Perhaps it may serve to remind you of me till I return, though this is indeed a distant prospect. Oh! how we shall then rejoice together, my dear Eleonore! You will, I trust, find your friend a happier man, all former forbidding, careworn furrows smoothed away by time and better fortune.

When you see B. Koch [subsequently Countess Belderbusch], pray say that it is unkind in her never once to have written to me. I wrote to her twice, and three times to Malchus (afterwards Westphalian Minister of Finance), but no answer. Tell her that if she does not choose to write herself, I beg that she will at least urge Malchus to do so. At the close of my letter I venture to make one more request--I am anxious to be so fortunate as again to possess an Angola waistcoat knitted by your own hand, my dear friend. Forgive my indiscreet request; it proceeds from my great love for all that comes from you; and I may privately admit that a little vanity is connected with it, namely, that I may say I possess something from the best and most admired young lady in Bonn. I still have the one you were so good as to give me in Bonn; but change of fashion has made it look so antiquated, that I can only treasure it in my wardrobe as your gift, and thus still very dear to me. You would make me very happy by soon writing me a kind letter. If mine cause you any pleasure, I promise you to do as you wish, and write as often as it lies in my power; indeed everything is acceptable to me that can serve to show you how truly I am your admiring and sincere friend,

L. V. BEETHOVEN.

P.S. The variations are rather difficult to play, especially the shake in the Coda; but do not be alarmed at this, being so contrived that you only require to play the shake, and leave out the other notes, which also occur in the violin part. I never would have written it in this way, had I not occasionally observed that there was a certain individual in Vienna who, when I extemporized the previous evening, not unfrequently wrote down next day many of the peculiarities of my music, adopting them as his own [for instance, the Abbé Gelinek]. Concluding, therefore, that some of these things would soon appear, I resolved to anticipate this. Another reason also was to puzzle some of the pianoforte teachers here, many of whom are my mortal foes; so I wished to revenge myself on them in this way, knowing that they would occasionally be asked to play the variations, when these gentlemen would not appear to much advantage.

BEETHOVEN.

5.
TO ELEONORE VON BREUNING,--BONN.

The beautiful neckcloth, embroidered by your own hand, was the greatest possible surprise to me; yet, welcome as the gift was, it awakened within me feelings of sadness. Its effect was to recall former days, and to put me to shame by your noble conduct to me. I, indeed, little thought that you still considered me worthy of your remembrance.

Oh! if you could have witnessed my emotions yesterday when this incident occurred, you would not think that I exaggerate in saying that such a token of your recollection brought tears to my eyes, and made me feel very sad. Little as I may deserve favor in your eyes, believe me, my dear friend, (let me still call you so,) I have suffered, and still suffer severely from the privation of your friendship. Never can I forget you and your dear mother. You were so kind to me that your loss neither can nor will be easily replaced. I know what I have forfeited, and what you were to me, but in order to fill up this blank I must recur to scenes equally painful for you to hear and for me to detail.

As a slight requital of your kind souvenir, I take the liberty to send you some variations, and a Rondo with violin accompaniment. I have a great deal to do, or I would long since have transcribed the Sonata I promised you. It is as yet a mere sketch in manuscript, and to copy it would be a difficult task even for the clever and practised Paraquin [counter-bass in the Electoral orchestra]. You can have the Rondo copied, and return the score. What I now send is the only one of my works at all suitable for you; besides, as you are going to Kerpen [where an uncle of the family lived], I thought these trifles might cause you pleasure.

Farewell, my friend; for it is impossible for me to give you any other name. However indifferent I may be to you, believe me, I shall ever continue to revere you and your mother as I have always done. If I can in any way contribute to the fulfilment of a wish of yours, do not fail to let me know, for I have no other means of testifying my gratitude for past friendship.

I wish you an agreeable journey, and that your dear mother may return entirely restored to health! Think sometimes of your affectionate friend,

BEETHOVEN.

6.
TO HERR SCHENK.

June, 1794.

DEAR SCHENK,[1]--

I did not know that I was to set off to-day to Eisenstadt. I should like to have talked to you again. In the mean time rest assured of my gratitude for your obliging services. I shall endeavor, so far as it lies in my power, to requite them. I hope soon to see you, and once more to enjoy the pleasure of your society. Farewell, and do not entirely forget your

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote 1: Schenk, afterwards celebrated as the composer of the "Dorf Barbier," was for some time Beethoven's teacher in composition. This note appears to have been written in June, 1794, and first printed in the "Freischütz," No. 183, about 1836, at the time of Schenk's death, when his connection with Beethoven was mentioned.]

7.
TO DR. WEGELER,--VIENNA.[1]

... In what an odious light have you exhibited me to myself! Oh! I acknowledge it, I do not deserve your friendship. It was no intentional or deliberate malice that induced me to act towards you as I did, but inexcusable thoughtlessness alone.

I say no more. I am coming to throw myself into your arms, and to entreat you to restore me my lost friend; and you will give him back to me, to your penitent, loving, and ever-grateful

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote 1: Dr. Wegeler, in answer to my request that he would send me the entire letter, replied that "the passages omitted in the letter consisted chiefly in eulogiums of his father, and enthusiastic expressions of friendship, which did not seem to him to be of any value; but besides this, the same reasons that induced his father to give only a portion of the letter were imperative with him also." I do not wish to contest the point with the possessor of the letter; still I may remark that all the utterances and letters of a great man belong to the world at large, and that in a case like the present, the conscientious biographer, who strives faithfully to portray such a man, is alone entitled to decide what portion of these communications is fitted for publication, and what is not. Any considerations of a personal character seem to me very trivial.]

8.
TO DR. WEGELER,--VIENNA.

Vienna, May 1797.

God speed you, my dear friend! I owe you a letter which you shall shortly have, and my newest music besides, I am going on well; indeed, I may say every day better. Greet those to whom it will give pleasure from me. Farewell, and do not forget your

BEETHOVEN.

9.
WRITTEN IN THE ALBUM OF LENZ VON BREUNING.

Vienna, Oct. 1, 1797.

Truth for the wise,
Beauty for a feeling heart,
And both for each other.

MY DEAR, GOOD BREUNING,--

Never can I forget the time I passed with you, not only in Bonn, but here. Continue your friendship towards me, for you shall always find me the same true friend,

L. V. BEETHOVEN.

10.
TO BARON ZMESKALL VON DOMANOWECZ.

1800.[1]

MY CHEAPEST (NOT DEAREST) BARON,--

Desire the guitar-player to come to me to-day. Amenda (instead of an amende [fine], which he sometimes deserves for not observing his rests properly) must persuade this popular guitarist to visit me, and if possible to come at five o'clock this evening; if not then, at five or six o'clock to-morrow morning; but he must not waken me if I chance to be still asleep. Adieu, mon ami à bon marché. Perhaps we may meet at the "Swan"?

[Footnote 1: As it appears from the following letters that Amenda was again at home in 1800, the date of this note is thus ascertained. It is undoubtedly addressed to Baron Zmeskall von Domanowecz, Royal Court Secretary, a good violoncello-player, and one of Beethoven's earliest friends in Vienna. The "guitarist" was probably the celebrated Giuliani, who lived in Vienna.]