position, and consider how many more obstacles I have to contend with than
any other artist, and then judge whether my demands (which I now annex) are
unreasonable. I beg you will convey my conditions to the Directors of the
above Society, namely:--

1. I shall be in London early in January.

2. The two grand new symphonies shall be ready by that time; to become the
exclusive property of the Society.

3. The Society to give me in return 300 guineas, and 100 for my travelling
expenses, which will, however, amount to much more, as I am obliged to
bring a companion.

4. As I am now beginning to work at these grand symphonies for the Society,
I shall expect that (on receiving my consent) they will remit me here the
sum of 150 guineas, so that I may provide a carriage, and make my other
preparations at once for the journey.

5. The conditions as to my non-appearance in any other public orchestra, my
not directing, and the preference always to be given to the Society on the
offer of equal terms by them, are accepted by me; indeed, they would at all
events have been dictated by my own sense of honor.

6. I shall expect the aid of the Society in arranging one, or more, benefit
concerts in my behalf, as the case may be. The very friendly feeling of
some of the Directors in your valuable body, and the kind reception of my
works by all the artists, is a sufficient guaranty on this point, and will
be a still further inducement to me to endeavor not to disappoint their
expectations.