(Vienna, October 5, 1782, to his father. Mozart had expected to
give music lessons to a princess, but another teacher was chosen.
Continuing in the same letter, he says: "I need only tell you his
fee and you will easily be able to judge from it the strength of
the master--400 florins. His name is Summerer.")

212. "I shall compose an opera but not in order, for the sake of
100 ducats, to see the theatre earn four times as much in a
fortnight. I shall perform my opera at my own cost and make at
least 1,200 florins in three performances; then the director can
have the work for 50 ducats. If he does not want it I shall have
received my pay and can utilize the opera elsewhere. I hope that
you have never observed a tendency to dishonest dealing in me.
One ought not to be a bad fellow, but neither ought one to be a
stupid who is willing to let others benefit from the work which
cost him study, care and labor, and surrender all claims for the
future."

(Vienna, October 5, 1782, to his father. Mozart's plans for
exploiting his opera were never realized.)

213. "Yesterday I dined with the Countess Thun, and tomorrow I
shall dine with her again. I let her hear all that was complete;
she told me that she would wager her life that everything that I
have written up to date would please. In such matters I care
nothing for the praise or censure of anybody until the whole work
has been seen or heard; instead I follow my own judgment and
feelings."