and does not return till the 20th. If it had remained here, I
would have taken the step I intended, and stayed on here for a
time; but as it is, I hope to resume my journey with mamma next
Tuesday. But meanwhile the project of the associated friends,
which I lately wrote to you about, may be realized, so that when
we no longer care to travel we shall have a resource to fall back
upon. Herr von Krimmel was to-day with the Bishop of Chiemsee,
with whom he has a good deal to do on the subject of salt. He is
a strange man; here he is called "your Grace,"--that is, THE
LACKEYS do so. Having a great desire that I should remain here,
he spoke very zealously to the Prince in my favor. He said to me,
"Only let me alone; I will speak to the Prince, and I have a
right to do so, for I have done many things to oblige him." The
Prince promised him that I should POSITIVELY be appointed, but
the affair cannot be so quickly settled. On the return of the
court he is to speak to the Elector with all possible earnestness
and zeal. At eight o'clock this morning I called on Count Seeau.
I was very brief, and merely said, "I have only come, your
Excellency, to explain my case clearly. I have been told that I
ought to go to Italy, which is casting a reproach on me. I was
sixteen months in Italy, I have written three operas, and all
this is notorious enough. What further occurred, your Excellency
will see from these papers." And after showing him the diplomata,
I added, "I only show these and say this to your Excellency that,
in the event of my being spoken of, and any injustice done me,
your Excellency may with good grounds take my part." He asked me
if I was now going to France. I said I intended to remain in
Germany; by this, however, he supposed I meant Munich, and said,
with a merry laugh, "So you are to stay here after all?" I
replied, "No! to tell you the truth, I should like to have