You may send your letter, if you please, direct to your most humble servant
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN.
192.
TO ZMESKALL.
Oct. 24, 1816.
WELL BORN, AND YET EVIL BORN! (AS WE ALL ARE!)
We are in Baden to-day, and intend to bring the celebrated naturalist Ribini a collection of dead leaves. To-morrow we purpose paying you not only a visit but a visitation.
Your devoted
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN.
193.
TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH.
November, 1816.[1]
I have been again much worse, so that I can only venture to go out a little in the daytime; I am, however, getting better, and hope now to have the honor of waiting on Y.R.H. three times a week. Meanwhile, I have many and great cares in these terrible times (which surpass anything we have ever experienced), and which are further augmented by having become the father since last November of a poor orphan. All this tends to retard my entire restoration to health. I wish Y.R.H. all imaginable good and happiness, and beg you will graciously receive and not misinterpret