To: Nikolaus Zmeskall von Domanovecz
Vienna, 1811

Anderson v1 pg349 - letter #340

       I intend to take into my service a man who copies music and who has offered to come.  His parents are still living in Vienna, and this might be a very good arrangement.  But I should like to discuss the conditions with you; and as you are free tomorrow, which I unfortunately am every day, please come and have coffee with me tomorrow afternoon after you have finished your midday meal somewhere.  They I can consult you about this, and after our consultation proceed to act

       By the way, we have the honour of informing you that we will shortly send you a few decorations from our order of the house, the grand one for yourself, the others to be conferred wherever you like, provided no parson gets any – We expect an answer from you tomorrow morning – At the same time we make you a present of a few ink-blots – [Anderson footnote: “In the autograph the previous sentence is smeared with ink.”]

                                                                          Your
                                                                                 Beethoven