“DEAR SIR--PETER ILICH,--I do not know how to express my thanks for your kind indulgence for my impatience. Were it not for the real sympathy I feel for you, I should be afraid you might want to get rid of me; but I value your kindness too greatly for this to happen. “I should like to tell you a great deal about my fantastic feelings towards you, but I am afraid of taking up your leisure, of which you have so little to spare. I will only say that this feeling--abstract as it may be--is one of the best and loftiest emotions ever yet experienced by any human being. Therefore you may call me eccentric, or mad, if you please; but you must not laugh at me. All this would be ridiculous, if it were not so sincere and serious. “Your devoted and admiring “N. F. VON MECK.” _From Tchaikovsky to N. F. von Meck._ “_February._ 16_th_ (28_th_), 1877 “DEAR MADAM--NADEJDA FILARETOVNA,--Accept my hearty thanks for the too lavish fee with which you have repaid such a light task. I am sorry you did not tell me all that was in your heart. I can assure you it would have been very pleasant and interesting, for I, too, warmly reciprocate your sympathy. This is no empty phrase. Perhaps I know you better than you imagine. “If some day you will take the trouble to write me all you want to say, I shall be most grateful. In any case I thank you from my heart for your expressions of appreciation, which I value very highly.” _N. F. Meck to Tchaikovsky._ “MOSCOW, _March_ 7_th_ (19_th_), 1877.