All cordial greetings to you and yours—from your faithfully attached
F. Liszt
Augusz I shall meet in Pest-Ofen.
Give Bosendorfer my friendly greetings, and at the same time tell him how I praise the excellent piano upon which I have been practising a little here.
If Zumbusch goes to Vienna, commission him—as we arranged—to make a bust of me in marble and a pedestal for Bosendorfer.
120. To Princess Caroline Sayn-Wittgenstein
[Printed by "order" in the Signale, 1873 (after the death of Napoleon), in which form the letter is reproduced here, as the original could not be procured. This letter does not indeed show us Liszt as a far-sighted politician, but simply as a man of noble impulses.]
Pest, January 10th, 1873
Napoleon III. is dead! A great soul, an all-embracing intelligence, experienced in the wisdom of life, a gentle and noble character—with a disastrous fate! He was a bound and gagged Caesar, but still closely related to the Divine Caesar who was the ideal embodiment of earthly power. In the year 1861, when I had a pretty long interview with Napoleon, he said, "Sometimes it seems to me as if I were over a hundred years old." I replied, "You are the century yourself, Sire!"—And, in fact, I honestly believed at the time, and do so still, that Napoleon's reign was the one most in keeping with the requirements and advances of our era. He has set noble examples, and accomplished or undertaken great deeds: amnesties which were more complete under him than under other governments; the protection of the Church in Rome and in other countries; the rejuvenescence of Paris and other great cities in France; the Crimean war and the Italian war; the great Paris Exhibition, and the rise of local exhibitions; the earnest attention paid to the lot and to the interests of the country people, and of the working classes; the generosity and encouragement to scholars and artists,—all these things are historical facts, and are things in which the Emperor took the initiative, and which he carried out in spite of all the difficulties that stood in his way.
These things will not be eclipsed by the misfortunes that befell him, however terrible these may have been, and, on the day of judgment, France will fetch the coffin of Napoleon III. and place it in all honor beside that of Napoleon I. It can be affirmed without adulation that throughout life the Emperor unswervingly practised those great virtues which are in reality one and the same thing and are known by the names of benevolence, goodness, generosity, nobility of mind, love of splendor and munificence. One of the fine traits of his character that he is acknowledged to have possessed, was his never-failing kindheartedness and his deep gratitude towards those persons who had ever done him a service. In all humility and lowliness of spirit I will imitate him in this, and begin with himself by blessing his memory and addressing my prayers for him to the God of Mercy who has so ordered things that nations may-recover from their wounds. .—.