"I must tell you that with my departure from Augsburg, my cheerfulness, and with it my health, began to decline. The nearer I came to my native city, the more frequent were the letters which I received from my father, urging me to travel as quickly as possible, as my mother's health gave great cause for anxiety. I hurried onwards, therefore, as fast as I could, although myself far from well. The longing to see my dying mother once more did away with all hindrances, and helped me to overcome the greatest difficulties. My mother was indeed still alive, but in the most deplorable state; her complaint was consumption; and about seven weeks ago, after enduring much pain and suffering, she died. "Ah! who was happier than I, so long as I could still pronounce the sweet name of mother, and heard the answer! and to whom can I now say it? To the silent images resembling her, which my fancy presents to me? "Since I have been here, I have enjoyed but few happy hours. Throughout the whole time I have been suffering from asthma, which I have reason to fear may eventually result in consumption. To this is added melancholy, for me an evil as great as my illness itself. "Imagine yourself now in my position, and then I may hope to receive your forgiveness for my long silence. "With regard to your extreme kindness and friendliness in lending me three carolins in Augsburg, I must beg you still to have a little indulgence with me, as my journey cost me a great deal, and here I have not the slightest prospect of earning anything. Fate is not propitious to me here in Bonn. "You will forgive my having written at such length about my own affairs; it was all necessary in order to excuse myself. "I entreat you not to withdraw your valuable friendship from me; there is nothing I so much desire as to render myself worthy of it. "I am, with all esteem, "Your most obedient servant and friend, "L. V. BEETHOVEN, "_Cologne Court Organist_. "_To_ Monsieur de Schaden, "_Counsellor at Augsburg_." When years afterwards Ferdinand Ries came as a boy of fifteen to Beethoven in Vienna, and solicited his help and countenance, the master, who was much occupied at the time, told him so, adding, "Say to your father that I have not forgotten how my mother died. He will be satisfied with that." Franz Ries had, in fact, at the time of the mother's illness, lent substantial assistance to the impoverished family; and this to the heart of the son was a sure claim on his lasting gratitude. FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 3: Margaret, who died while still an infant.] [Illustration] CHAPTER III. YOUTH. Despondency--The Breuning Family--Literary Pursuits--Count Waldstein--National Theatre of Max Franz--King Lux and his Court--The Abbé Sterkel--Appointment as Court Pianist--First Love--Second Visit of Joseph Haydn.