My Dear, My Unique K[anka]!
The long letter which follows was written when we still held the view that we should keep the 1800 gulden – After Baron Pasqualati’s latest communication we again put our heads together, and Dr. Adlersburg advised us not to go beyond the steps you had already taken – But since Dr. Wolf writes that he has made an offer in your name for 1500 gulden a year, please try at any rate to obtain this arrangement for 1500 gulden – With this in view I am sending you the long letter which was written before we received Baron Pasqualati’s letter dissuading us from such a step. You may still find in it many arguments to strengthen your ease for obtaining at least the 1500 gulden – Besides, the Archduke has written for the second time to the Oberstburggraf; and from the latter’s previous reply to the Archduke one can gather that he will certainly put his hand in his pocket and that the 1500 gulden at least can still be obtained –
All good wishes. I am quite unable to write another letter of the alphabet, for even that exhausts me – May your friendship produce a rapid and successful result, for if the affair is going to turn out so badly, I shall have to leave Vienna, because I should not be able to live on that income – For in Vienna things have come to such a pass that the prices of all commodities have soared to untold heights and must be paid for. The last two concerts I gave have cost me 5108 gulden. Had the Empress not given me that handsome present – I should have made practically nothing –
In haste, your admirer and friend
Beethoven