expect to present myself before Y.R.H. next Monday or Tuesday at an early
hour. I ascribe my illness to having taken an open _calèche_, in order not
to miss my appointment with Y.R.H. The day was very wet and positively
_cold_ here towards the evening. Nature seems almost to have been offended
by the liberty I took, and by my audacity, and to have punished me in
consequence. May Heaven bestow on Y.R.H. all that is good and holy, as well
as every charm and blessing, and on _me_ your favor, _but only in so far as
justice sanctions_!

[K.]


298.

TO HERR ARTARIA & CO.

Vienna, Dec. 17, 1820.

I thank you warmly for the advance of 150 florins, for which I have made
out the receipt in the name of his Imperial Highness the Cardinal, and I
beg, as I am in danger of losing one of my bank shares, that you will
advance me another 150 florins, which I pledge myself to repay within three
months at latest from this date. As a proof of my gratitude, I engage in
this letter to make over to you, as your exclusive property, one of my
compositions, consisting of two or more movements, without claiming payment
for it hereafter.

Your ever-complaisant

BEETHOVEN.