Your true friend,
BEETHOVEN.
[Footnote 1: Czerny, in the A.M. Zeitung, 1845, relates:--"On one occasion (in 1812), at Schuppanzigh's concert, when playing Beethoven's quintet with wind-instruments, I took the liberty, in my youthful levity, to make many alterations,--such as introducing difficulties into the passages, making use of the upper octaves, &c., &c. Beethoven sternly and deservedly reproached me for this, in the presence of Schuppanzigh, Linke, and the other performers.">[
[Footnote 2: Opera 69, which Czerny (see A.M. Zeitung) was to perform with Linke the following week.]
169.
TO RIES,--LONDON.
Vienna, Feb. 28, 1816.
... For some time past I have been far from well; the loss of my brother affected both my spirits and my works. Salomon's death grieves me much, as he was an excellent man whom I have known from my childhood. You are his executor by will, while I am the guardian of my late poor brother's child. You can scarcely have had as much vexation from Salomon's death as I have had from that of my brother!--but I have the sweet consolation of having rescued a poor innocent child from the hands of an unworthy mother. Farewell, dear Ries; if I can in any way serve you, look on me as
Your true friend,
BEETHOVEN.
170.
TO GIANNATASIO DEL RIO,--VIENNA.
Feb. 1816.
SIR,--