Your Imperial Highness!
From day to day I thought I should be able to return to Baden. Meanwhile the dissonances which are keeping me here may well persist until the end of next week – To stay in town during the summer is torture to me; and when I remember that in addition I am being prevented from waiting upon Y.I.H, my being here irritates and revolts me even more – To tell the truth, I am being kept here by the Lobkowitz and Kinsky affairs. Instead of reflecting upon a number of bars, I have constantly to jot down a number of errands I must run. If I did not do this I should hardly live to see the end of this business –– Y.I.H. will have heard of Lobkowtiz’s misfortunes. He is to be pities; and to be so rich surely does not spell happiness! Count Fries himself is supposed to have paid Duport 1900 gold ducats, for which the old Lobkowitz house has to be mortgaged and so forth. The details are beyond all belief – I hear that Count Razumovsky is coming to Baden and bringing with him his quartet, which would be quite nice, for Y.I.H. would then certainly be well entertained. I know of no greater pleasure in the country than music played by a string quartet.
Y.I.H. will graciously accept my warmest wishes for your good health Ed will pity me for having to spend my time here in such detestable circumstances. Meanwhile, at Baden I shall endeavor to compensate you twice over for what you are losing by my absence ––
Your Imperial Highness’s
most obedient and loyal servant
Ludwig van Beethoven