My Dear V[arena]!
I am delighted to have your letter. But once more I am greatly distressed at receiving the 100 gulden which our poor nuns have sent me. I have put them aside, however, to be used to defray the costs of copying. The remainder together with an abstract of the copying accounts will be returned to those noble-minded nuns. In this connection I never take anything – I thought perhaps that the third person you mentioned was the former King of Holland and – well, after all, from him, who has perhaps taken a good deal from the Dutch in a less legitimate way, I would not have scrupled to take something on account of my present situation. But now, as friend, I insist that you shall not say anything more about it – Let me know whether, if I were to go to Graz, I could perhaps give a concert and what profit I should be likely to make. For unfortunately Vienna can’t be my home any longer – though perhaps it is now too late to leave. I shall always be pleased to receive from you some particulars about this – The works are being copied and you will have them as soon as possible – Do exactly what you like with the oratorio [Opus 85]. If it serves some good purpose, then my object will best be achieved –
With kindest regards, your most devoted
L. v. Bthven
My warmest greetings to our dear Ursulines to whom I am delighted again to be able to be of some use.