ED.
[199] Beethoven being in the box of a much esteemed lady during the performance of "La Molinara," she said, on hearing the well-known "Nel cor più," "I had some variations on this subject, but have lost them." Beethoven, the same night, wrote the six Variations on this subject, and the next morning sent them to the lady, writing upon them, "Variazioni, &c., perdute da——, retrovate du Luigi v. B." They are so easy that the lady might well have played them at first sight.—WEGELER.
[200] As it proves to be in our days, where it is always the one most admired.
[201] Consequently after his hearing had been impaired.—WEGELER.
[202] Manu propria, with his own hand.
[203] A music-seller at Vienna.
[204] A village in a romantic country, about three miles from Vienna.
[205] Towards the latter end of 1826.
[206] In answer to the above, I informed Mr. Rau, in the name of the Philharmonic Society, that the money having been sent for the express purpose, and on condition that Beethoven himself should make use of it, the Society would, now that the event had taken place before the end in view could be achieved, expect the money to be returned.—ED.
[207] The above-mentioned enclosure from the guardian (Mr. Hotschilar, imperial notary) urges still more forcibly all that Mr. Rau hints confidentially, with the request that I would lay before the Philharmonic Society the case of young Beethoven (then under age), and earnestly solicit that body not to reclaim the one thousand florins, but, in honour of the great deceased, allow the small patrimony, which he spared no sacrifice in securing for his nephew, to remain untouched. I complied with Mr. Hotschilar's request, and the Society gave its tacit consent by relinquishing all further proceedings: thus doing homage to the great man even in death.—ED.