"The Society resolved to express their good-will and lively sympathy by requesting your acceptance of £100 sterling (1000 florins) to provide the necessary comforts and conveniences during your illness. This money will be paid to your order by Mr. Rau, of the house of Eskeles, either in separate sums, or all at once, as you may desire."
Moscheles added that the Philharmonic Society was willing to extend their good offices still further, and that Beethoven had only to write, if he needed their assistance.
In reply, Beethoven dictated to me, on the 18th of March, the following, since he was himself too weak to write:—
"I know not how in words to describe the feelings with which I have read yours of the 1st. I am deeply sensible of the generosity with which the Philharmonic Society has almost anticipated my request, and I beg you, dear Moscheles, to become the organ through which I may convey my heart-felt thanks for their kind sympathy and distinguished liberality. I have found myself compelled to apply for the whole sum of 1000 florins, as I was just under the unpleasant necessity of raising money, which would have occasioned me fresh embarrassment. With regard to the concert which the Society intend to arrange for my benefit, I trust they will not relinquish that noble design, and beg that they will deduct the £100 which they already have sent me from the profits. Should after that any surplus be left, and the Society be kindly willing to bestow it upon me, I hope to have it in my power to evince my gratitude by composing for them either a new Symphony, which already lies sketched on my desk, or a new Overture, or anything else the Society may prefer. May Heaven grant me my health soon again, that I may be able to prove to the generous English how well I can appreciate their sympathy with my melancholy situation! Your noble conduct can never be forgotten by me, and I beg you to return my thanks in particular to Sir George Smart and Mr. Stumpff.
"With the highest esteem, yours,
(Signed) "BEETHOVEN."
"P. S. Kindest regards to your wife. I have to thank the Philharmonic Society and you for a new and most amiable friend in M. Rau.[103]
"I beg you to transmit the subjoined metronomic list of my Ninth Symphony to the Philharmonic Society:"
| Allegro ma non troppo | 88 = |
| Molto vivace | 116 = |
| Presto | 116 = |
| Adagio primo | 60 = |
| Andante moderato | 63 = |
| Finale presto | 96 = |
| Allegro ma non troppo | 88 = |
| Allegro assai | 80 = |
| Alla marcia | 84 = |
| Andante maestoso | 72 = |
| Adagio divoto | 60 = |
| Allegro energico | 84 = |
| Allegro ma non tanto | 120 = |
| Prestissimo | 132 = |
| Maestoso | 60 = |
From my own letter to Moscheles, dated the 24th of March, accompanying the above from Beethoven, written with a view to prepare his friends in London for the approaching death of this great man, I shall make the following extract, since it belongs, no less than the former, to the history of his life.
* * * * * "The letter addressed to you, and dated the 18th, was dictated word for word by himself, and is probably his last. To-day he whispered to me—'Write to Smart and Stumpff.' Should it be possible for him to sign these letters, it shall be done to-morrow.[104]