Being engaged in Paris for January, 1839, for concerts at the Grand Opéra, he hastened there via Munich, Baden–Baden, and Strasburg, giving concerts in these places.
He returned to Germany soon after, giving one concert in Carlsruhe and two in Stuttgart. The King of Wurtemberg gave him a ring set in brilliants. He also visited Cassel again, where two concerts were given with great success; also others in Augsburg, Bonn, Mannheim, Landau, Carlsruhe, and Heidelberg, after which he returned to Paris in the autumn of 1839.
A few extracts from letters to his wife, during this season of 1839, may be added here:—
Presburg, April, 17, 1839.
Instead of arriving at five o’clock we did not reach this place until eight; the driver got asleep on his seat and fell down under the carriage wheels; the horses ran against a post, breaking the carriage, and finally got away, giving us a good deal of trouble to catch them. The weather is fine, and I have taken fresh horses in order to reach Raab this evening. To–morrow morning I shall reach Pesth.... The surrounding country here is most beautiful and the journey very interesting, many of the old monuments being well preserved....
Pesth, Sunday, April 21.
I arrived in Pesth yesterday evening: it seems that I was impatiently looked for. I waited a day and a half in Comorn for the steamer to Pesth, visiting the wonderful fortifications there.... I wanted a distraction from my suffering, God knows how much I have suffered! I still hope and work, not for myself, for you, my family, my country, my Norway, of which I am proud. Why should I dwell upon my sad thoughts? You indeed have more than enough yourself. You share with me the memory of our little Ole[9] waiting for us on the other side.... You must come as soon as possible.... God have you in his keeping.
Munich, October 19, 1839.
A letter just received from my mother, announcing the death of our dear, good grandmother.[10] It occurred the same time that they received the tidings of our child’s death. Mother tries to console me and sympathizes with you....
Munich, October 21, 1839.