I do hope you will believe that such are my _genuine and sincere_ wishes on
the subject. If on the other hand I leave Carl with you for the ensuing
quarter, commencing in February, I will apprise you of it early in January,
1818. I trust you will grant me this _favor_, and that I shall not solicit
it in vain. If I ever enjoy better health, so that I can _earn more money_,
I shall not fail to evince my gratitude, knowing well how much more you
have done for Carl than I had any right to expect; and I can with truth say
that to be obliged to confess my inability to requite your services at this
moment, distresses me much.

I am, with sincere esteem, your friend,

L. V. BEETHOVEN.


251.

TO G. DEL RIO.

MY DEAR FRIEND,--

I have been hitherto unable to answer your friendly letter, having been
much occupied and still far from well.

As to your proposal, it merits both gratitude and consideration. I must say
that the same idea formerly occurred to me about Carl; at this moment,
however, I am in the most unsettled state. This was why I made the
stipulation to which I begged you to agree, namely, to let you know in the
last month of the present quarter whether Carl was to continue with you. In
this way our plans would neither be hurried nor demolished. I am, besides,