How distressing to be in such a state here!
Vienna, Alleengasse 72, Karlskirche, 1ter Étage, at Herr Schlemmer's.
I sent for the cabinet-maker to-day with the old--witch--to Asinanius'[1] house. Don't forget the paintings, and the things sent in last summer; at all events look for them. I may perhaps come on Saturday; if not, you must come to me on Sunday. May God watch over you, my dear son.
I cannot write much. Send me a few words.[2]
[Footnote 1: It was thus Beethoven named his _pseudo_-brother.]
[Footnote 2: Underneath is written in pencil by another hand, "I shall be at the usual place at three o'clock, _s'il vous plait_." The whole appears to be afterwards stroked out.]
Do send the chocolate at last by the old woman. If Ramler is not already engaged, he may perhaps drive her over. I become daily thinner, and feel far from well; and no physician, no sympathizing friends! If you can possibly come on Sunday, pray do so; but I have no wish to deprive you of any pleasure, were I only sure that you would spend your Sunday properly away from me.
I must strive to wean myself from everything; if I were only secure that my great sacrifices would bring forth worthy fruits!
The old woman is just come, so you need be under no uneasiness; study assiduously and rise early, as various things may occur to you in the morning, which you could do for me. It cannot be otherwise than becoming in a youth, now in his nineteenth year, to combine his duties towards his benefactor and foster-father with those of his education and progress. I fulfilled my obligations towards my own parents. In haste,
The old bell-pull is here. The date of my letter is wrong; it is not May the 17th, but the 18th.
Ask the house agent about a lodging in the Landstrasse, Ungargasse, No. 345, adjoining the Bräuhaus,--four rooms and a kitchen, commanding a view of the adjacent gardens. I hear there are various others too in the Hauptstrasse. Give a gulden to the house agent in the Ungargasse, to promise me the refusal of the lodgings till Saturday, when, if the weather is not too bad, I mean to come on to fetch you. We must decide to-morrow whether it is to be hired from Michaelmas or now. If I do come on Saturday, take care that I find you at home.