196. "If I were to tell you all the things that I do with your
portrait, you would laugh heartily. For instance when I take it
out of its prison house I say 'God bless you, Stanzerl! God bless
you, you little rascal,--Krallerballer--Sharpnose--little
Bagatelle!' And when I put it back I let it slip down slowly and
gradually and say 'Nu,--Nu,--Nu,--Nu;' but with the emphasis
which this highly significant word demands, and at the last,
quickly: 'Good-night, little Mouse, sleep well!' Now, I suppose,
I have written down a lot of nonsense (at least so the world
would think); but for us, who love each other so tenderly, it
isn't altogether silly."

(Dresden, April 13, 1789, to his wife in Vienna.)

197. "Dear little wife, I have a multitude of requests;
1mo, I beg of you not to be sad.

"2do, that you take care of your health and not trust the spring
air.

"3tio, that you refrain from walking out alone, or, better, do
not walk out at all.

"4to, that you rest assured of my love. Not a letter have I
written to you but that your portrait was placed in front of
mine.

"5to, I beg of you to consider not only my honor and yours in
your conduct but also in appearances. Do not get angry because of
this request. You ought to love me all the more because I make so