257.

TO THE RECHNUNGSRATH, VINCENZ HAUSCHKA.[1]

1818.

First and foremost member of our society, and grand cross of the
violon--cello! You wish for an _heroic_ subject, whereas I have none but a
_spiritual_ one! I am contented; still, I think an infusion of the
spiritual would be quite appropriate in such a mass. I have no objections
to H. v. Bernard, but you must pay him; I do not speak of myself. As you
call yourselves "Friends of Music," it is only natural that you should
expect a great deal to be done on the score of friendship.

Now farewell, my good Hauschka! As for myself, I wander about here with
music paper, among the hills and dales and valleys, and scribble a great
deal to get my daily bread; for I have brought things to such a pass in
this mighty and ignominious _land of the Goths and Vandals_, that in order
to gain time for a great composition, I must always previously _scrawl
away_ a good deal for the sake of money, to enable me to complete an
important work.

However, my health is much improved, and if the matter is urgent, I can do
as you wish now.

In haste, your friend,

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote 1: Hauschka was at that time on the committee, and agent for the