it, I wish you would send yours back to me to-day, for mine is broken.
Farewell, and do not write in such high-flown terms about me, for never
have I felt so strongly as now the strength and the weakness of human
nature.

Continue your regard for me.


245.

TO FRAU VON STREICHER.

The Autumn of 1817.

I have had an interview with your husband, whose sympathy did me both good
and harm, for Streicher almost upset my resignation. God alone knows the
result! but as I have always assisted my fellow-men when I had the power to
do so, I also rely on his mercy to me.

Educate your daughter carefully, that she may make a good wife.

To-day happens to be Sunday; so I will quote you something out of the
Bible,--"Love one another." I conclude with best regards to your best of
daughters, and with the wish that all your wounds may be healed.

When you visit the ancient ruins [Frau Streicher was in Baden], do not
forget that Beethoven has often lingered there; when you stray through the
silent pine forests, do not forget that Beethoven often wrote poetry there,
or, as it is termed, _composed_.