Beethoven (age 47) by August Klöber (1818)
TO ZMESKALL.
Feb. 2, 1812.
By no means extraordinary, but very ordinary mender of pens! whose talent has failed on this occasion (for those I send require to be fresh mended), when do you intend at last to cast off your fetters?--when?
You never for a moment think of me; accursed to me is life amid this Austrian barbarism.
I shall go now chiefly to the “Swan,” as in other taverns I cannot defend myself against intrusion.
Farewell! that is, fare as well as I wish you to do without
Your friend,
BEETHOVEN.
Most wonderful of men!
We beg that your servant will engage a person to fit up my apartment; as he is acquainted with the lodgings, he can fix the proper price at once.
Do this soon, you Carnival scamp!!!!!!!
The enclosed note is at least a week old.
