To: Nikolaus Zmeskall von Domanovecz
Vienna, March 28, 1809

My Dear Zmeskall,

       I deserve to be punished for not yet calling on the Baroness E[rtmann] – But I will do so – I have not seen the basset-horn player since.  I really believe he must have had an attack of diarrhea from sheer terror of proving to be a failure with us all. I will come, but I should have much preferred to come if the new cello sonata [Opus 69] had been performed –

                                              Your friend
                                                              Beethoven