_To N. F. von Meck._ “GRANKINO, _September_ 25_th_ (_October_ 7_th_), 1879. “I left Moscow on the 22nd. No sooner did the train begin to move, and I saw the outskirts of the town, than the black curtain, which had hung before my eyes during the whole of my time in the two capitals, suddenly vanished. I was once more free and happy. “Here I found both your letters. I cannot tell you how glad I was to read your dear words. It was a surprise to hear our symphony was at last published, for the distracted Jurgenson forgot to mention this.... “I owe you everything: my life, the possibility of going forward to distant goals, freedom, and that complete happiness which formerly I believed to be unattainable. “I read your letters with such a sense of eternal gratitude and affection that I cannot put it into words....” _To N. F. von Meck._ “KAMENKA, _October_ 5_th_ (17_th_), 1879. “At the present moment--I do not know why--I am going through an intense Italian craze. I feel so delighted, so happy, at the mere thought that before long I, too, shall be in Italy. Naples, Pompeii, Vesuvius ... enchanting, lovely! “I found the proofs of the Suite here. In three days I corrected and sent them back, so that I can now take a holiday--read, walk, play, dream--to my heart’s desire. For how long? I do not know. At any rate, I will not undertake any work during my first days in Naples. Do you not think that in the land of _lazzarone_ one must be lazy too?” _To Anatol Tchaikovsky._ “KAMENKA, _October_ 7_th_ (19_th_) 1879. “No news. I feel very well, only a little misanthropical now and then. To-day there are visitors. When there are none I feel quite at ease. We all sit and sew. I have hemmed and marked a pocket-handkerchief.”[71] _To N. F. von Meck._ “KAMENKA, _October_ 9_th_ (21_st_), 1879. “How can I thank you for the trouble you have taken about our symphony? I am delighted Colonne will play it. At the same time there is no doubt it will have no success whatever with the public. Perhaps it might rouse a spark of sympathy in the hearts of ten or twelve people--and that would be a great step in advance.... Only one thing troubles me. Does Colonne really want to be paid for doing the work? It would gratify me to know that his readiness to perform the symphony was not based upon pecuniary considerations.” _To N. F. von Meck._ “KAMENKA, _October_ 12_th_ (24_th_), 1879.