219. To Madame Jessie Laussot
Dear and most excellent Friend,
Your "intrigues" are noble, salutary, beneficent, and would win every advantage in the broad light of day. To take my part in them, at your command, is one of my most agreeable duties.
[Mme. Laussot was trying to obtain the nomination of Antonio Bazzini, the excellent violinist and composer (born 1818), as director of the Conservatoire at Milan, and begged Liszt to support this choice through the German ambassador Baron Keudell in Rome, which he did. Bazzini however did not at that time receive the office, which he at present holds.]
I sent my letter direct to Rome to Baron de Keudell yesterday..—. Bazzini deserves the post of director of the Conservatoire at Milan, which ought to be offered to him at the first onset.
Your most heartily devoted
F. Liszt
Budapest, January 29th, 1878
Our friend Mihalovich will give you news of Budapest. As elsewhere, I am absorbed here in the most difficult of tasks—to put up with myself. Happily I receive plenty of help; noble friendships and dear and beautiful memories light up the path which I still have to follow before I reach the grave.
220. To Madame Jessie Laussot