Part 3 (2/2)
The amiable Mozart did not live to see the fulfilment of his prophecy, but he appears to have taken an interest in the boy, and to have given him a few lessons.
Beethoven afterwards lamented that he had never heard Mozart play, which may perhaps be accounted for by the fact that the master was much occupied at the time with his ”Don Giovanni,” and also had that year to mourn the loss of his father.
The following letter fully explains the cause of Beethoven's sudden departure from Vienna, and the apparent s.h.i.+pwreck of all his hopes:--
”_Autumn._ _Bonn_, 1787.
”MOST WORTHY AND DEAR FRIEND,--I can easily imagine what you must think of me--that you have well-founded reasons for not entertaining a favourable opinion of me, I cannot deny.
”But I will not excuse myself until I have explained the reasons which lead me to hope that my apologies will be accepted.
”I must tell you that with my departure from Augsburg, my cheerfulness, and with it my health, began to decline. The nearer I came to my native city, the more frequent were the letters which I received from my father, urging me to travel as quickly as possible, as my mother's health gave great cause for anxiety. I hurried onwards, therefore, as fast as I could, although myself far from well. The longing to see my dying mother once more did away with all hindrances, and helped me to overcome the greatest difficulties. My mother was indeed still alive, but in the most deplorable state; her complaint was consumption; and about seven weeks ago, after enduring much pain and suffering, she died.
”Ah! who was happier than I, so long as I could still p.r.o.nounce the sweet name of mother, and heard the answer! and to whom can I now say it? To the silent images resembling her, which my fancy presents to me?
”Since I have been here, I have enjoyed but few happy hours.
Throughout the whole time I have been suffering from asthma, which I have reason to fear may eventually result in consumption. To this is added melancholy, for me an evil as great as my illness itself.
”Imagine yourself now in my position, and then I may hope to receive your forgiveness for my long silence.
”With regard to your extreme kindness and friendliness in lending me three carolins in Augsburg, I must beg you still to have a little indulgence with me, as my journey cost me a great deal, and here I have not the slightest prospect of earning anything. Fate is not propitious to me here in Bonn.
”You will forgive my having written at such length about my own affairs; it was all necessary in order to excuse myself.
”I entreat you not to withdraw your valuable friends.h.i.+p from me; there is nothing I so much desire as to render myself worthy of it.
”I am, with all esteem,
”Your most obedient servant and friend,
”L. V. BEETHOVEN,
”_Cologne Court Organist_.
”_To_ Monsieur de Schaden,
”_Counsellor at Augsburg_.”
When years afterwards Ferdinand Ries came as a boy of fifteen to Beethoven in Vienna, and solicited his help and countenance, the master, who was much occupied at the time, told him so, adding, ”Say to your father that I have not forgotten how my mother died. He will be satisfied with that.” Franz Ries had, in fact, at the time of the mother's illness, lent substantial a.s.sistance to the impoverished family; and this to the heart of the son was a sure claim on his lasting grat.i.tude.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 3: Margaret, who died while still an infant.]
[Ill.u.s.tration]
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