Dear Clement,
Proceed along
the path which you have hitherto trodden so splendidly and so gloriously.
Nature and art vie in making you one of the greatest artists. Follow
both, and you need not fear that you will fail to reach the great
- the greatest goal on earth to which the artist can attain. Be
happy, my dear young friend, and come back soon, so that I may hear
again your delightful, Splendid playing.
Wholly
your friend
L.
v. Beethoven (in the service
of
H[is] E[xcellency] the
E[lector
of Cologne)