396. To Dr. Eduard Hanslick in Vienna
[The renowned musical author and critic (born in Prague in 1825), professor of the history of music in the University of Vienna.— The letter refers to the Mozart jubilee concert conducted by Liszt in Vienna, and to Hanslick's critique, in which he censured the want of courtesy with which Liszt, who had been invited to conduct this concert, was treated by the committee and the public.]
Sir,
The manner in which you have given an account in the Presse of the two concerts of Sunday and Monday, corresponds entirely with the opinion which I had of you—and you have proved yourself on this occasion, according to your custom, an eminent critic and a perfect gentleman. [The word "gentleman" is in English in Liszt's letter.]
Permit me to offer you my sincere thanks for the part you have been pleased to devote to me, and to hope that the coming years, in bringing us more together, will better enable me to prove the sincere sentiments of esteem and distinguished regard, the assurance of which I beg you to accept.
F. Liszt
January 3lst, 1856
397. To the Austrian Minister of the Interior, Freiherr von Bach
[Autograph sketch of a letter in the Liszt-Museum at Weimar. The Gran Mass was in fact engraved and published by the State printing-press at Vienna.]
Your Excellency,