I, Johannes, Chrysostomus, Amadeus, Wolfgangus, Sigismundus,
Mozart, plead guilty to having both yesterday and the day before
(and very often besides) stayed away from home till twelve
o'clock at night, from ten o'clock till the aforesaid hour, I
being in the presence and company of M. Cannabich, his wife and
daughter, the Herrn Schatzmeister, Ramm, and Lang, making
doggerel rhymes with the utmost facility, in thought and word,
but not in deed. I should not, however, have conducted myself in
so reckless a manner if our ringleader, namely, the so-called
Lisel (Elisabeth Cannabich), had not inveigled and instigated me
to mischief, and I am bound to admit that I took great pleasure
in it myself. I confess all these my sins and shortcomings from
the depths of my heart; and in the hope of often having similar
ones to confess, I firmly resolve to amend my present sinful
life. I therefore beg for a dispensation if it can be granted;
but, if not, it is a matter of indifference to me, for the game
will go on all the same. Lusus enim suum habet ambitum, says the
pious singer Meissner, (chap. 9, p. 24,) and also the pious
Ascenditor, patron of singed coffee, musty lemonade, milk of
almonds with no almonds in it, and, above all, strawberry ice
full of lumps of ice, being himself a great connoisseur and
artist in these delicacies.

The sonata I composed for Madlle. Cannabich I intend to write out
as soon as possible on small paper, and to send it to my sister.
I began to teach it to Madlle. Rose three days ago, and she has
learned the allegro. The andante will give us most trouble, for
it is full of expression, and must be played with accuracy and
taste, and the fortes and pianos given just as they are marked.