264.

TO F. RIES,--LONDON.

Vienna, May 25, 1819.

... I was at the time burdened with cares beyond all I had ever in my life
known,[1] caused solely by my too lavish benefits to others. Do compose
industriously! My dear pupil the Archduke Rudolph and I frequently play
your works, and he says that my quondam pupil does honor to his master. Now
farewell! as I hear that your wife is so handsome, I venture to embrace her
in imagination only, though I hope to have that pleasure in person next
winter.

Do not forget the Quintet, and the Sonata, and the money, I mean the
_Honoraire, avec ou sans honneur_. I hope soon to hear good news from you,
not in _allegro_ time, but _veloce prestissimo_.

This letter will be given to you by an intelligent Englishman; they are
generally very able fellows, with whom I should like to pass some time in
their own country.

_Prestissimo--Responsio
De suo amico e Maestro,_

BEETHOVEN.

[Footnote 1: In Schindler's _Beethoven's Nachlass_ there is a large