To: Amalie Sebald
Teplitz, after September 17, 1812

       My illness does not appear to be making headway, but it is still crawling.  Hence it has not yet come to a standstill!  T/hat is all I can tell you about it – I must give up the idea of seeing you at your hotel.  Perhaps your Samoyeds will let you off your journey to the polar regions today.  If so, come to

                                                                                        Beethoven