[55] Beethoven had written personally to Cherubini, who was "of all his contemporaries the one whom he most esteemed." Cherubini did not reply. [56] "I never avenge myself," he wrote besides to Madame Streicher. "When I am obliged to act against others, I only do what is necessary to defend myself or to prevent them from doing one harm." [57] A letter which has been found in Berlin to M. Kalischer, shews with what deep feeling Beethoven wished to make his nephew "a citizen useful to the state" (February 1st, 1819). [58] Schindler, who saw him then, says that he suddenly became an old man of seventy, utterly crushed and broken of will. He would have died had Carl died. He died soon afterwards. [59] The dilettantism of our time has not failed to seek to reinstate this scoundrel. This is not surprising. [60] Letter from Fischenich to Charlotte Schiller (January, 1793). Schiller's Ode was written in 1785. The actual theme appeared in 1808 in the _Fantasy for piano, orchestra and Choir, Op. 80_, and in 1810 in the Song on Goethe's words: _Kleine Blumen, Kleine Blaetter_. I have seen in a notebook of 1812 belonging to Dr. Erich Prieger at Bonn, between the sketches of the _Seventh Symphony_ and a plan for an _Overture to Macbeth_, an attempt to adopt some words of Schiller to the theme which he used later on in the _Overture Op. 115_ (_Namensfeier_). Several instrumental motives of the _Ninth Symphony_ appeared before 1815. Thus the definite theme of Joy was put down in notes in 1822; also all the other airs of the _Symphony_, except the Trio, which came a little after, then the _andante moderato_, and later the _adagio_, which appeared last of all. For references to Schiller's poem and the false interpretation which is given now-a-days by substituting for the word _Joy_ the word _Liberty_, see an article by Charles Andler in _Pages Libres_ (July 8, 1905). [61] Berlin Library. [62] Just as if there were words below. [63] The _Mass in D_, Op: 123. [64] Harassed by domestic quarrels, misery, cares of all kinds, Beethoven only wrote during the five years from 1816 to 1821, three pieces for the piano (Op: 101, 102, and 106). His enemies said he was exhausted. He began to work again in 1821. [65] February, 1824. Signed Prince C. Lichnowski, Count Maurice Lichnovsky, Count Maurice de Fries, Count M. de Dietrichstein, Count F. de Palfy, Count Czernin, Ignace Edler de Mosel, Charles Czerny, Abbé Stadler, A. Diabelli, Artari & Co., Steiner & Co., A. Streicher, Zmeskall, Kiesewetter, etc. [66] "My moral character is publicly recognised," Beethoven proudly said to the Vienna Municipality, on February 1st, 1819, to vindicate his right to the guardianship of his nephew. Even distinguished writers like Weisenbach have considered him worthy of the dedication of their works. [67] In August, 1824, he was haunted with the fear of sudden death "like my grandfather to whom I bear so much resemblance," he wrote on August 16th, 1824, to Dr. Bach.