P.P
My friend Oliva Is taking these few lines to you. I trust that you will be pleased to let him have the benefit of our friendly relations and allow him to enjoy your agreeable company –– For The moment I have merely commissioned this friend to offer you I knew trio for piano, violin and violoncello [Opus 97]. He has my full authorization to discuss this matter from all its aspects and to conclude an agreement with you ––
I have received your parcel yesterday. Our postage, like everything else, has been even more expensive. On the other hand the bank-notes too are worth even less than formerly. What do you think of our directors of finance? ? ? ? Some deus ex machina will have to appear –– there is no other solution ––
In haste your
Beethoven
The three songs [Opus 83] and also the Italian ones [Opus 82] –– are for the Princess Kinsky –– The ‘Lebewohl’ and the Wiedersehen’ [Opus 81a] can be dedicated to no one but the Archduke Rudolph.