... As regards your request for compositions by me I regret that at this time I am unable to oblige you; but please tell me what kind of compositions of mine you want, viz., symphonies, quartets, sonatas, etc., so that I may govern myself accordingly, and in case I have what you need or want I may place it at your service. If I am right, 8 works of mine are about to appear at Mollo’s in this place; four pieces at Hofmeister’s in Leipsic; in this connection I wish to add that _one of my first concertos[102] and therefore not one of_ the best of my compositions, is to be published by Hofmeister, and that Mollo is to publish a Concerto which, indeed, was written later[103] _but nevertheless does not rank among the best of my works in this form_. This is only a hint for your musical journal in the matter of criticism of these works, although if one might hear them (well-played, that is), one would best be able to judge them. Musical policy requires that one should keep possession for a space of the best concertos. You should recommend to Messrs. your critics great care and wisdom especially in the case of the products of younger authors; many a one may be frightened off who otherwise might, probably, accomplish more; so far as I am concerned I am far from thinking that I am so perfect as not to be subject to blame, yet the howls of your critics against me were at first so humiliating that after comparing myself with others I could not get angry, but remained perfectly quiet, and concluded they did not understand their business; it was the easier to remain quiet since I saw the praise lavished on people who have no significance in loco in the eyes of the better sort, and who disappeared from sight here no matter how good they may otherwise have been--but _pax vobiscum_--peace for me and them--I would not have mentioned a syllable about the matter had not you yourself done so. Coming recently to a friend who showed me the amount which had been collected _for the daughter of the immortal god of harmony_, I marvel at the smallness of the sum which Germany, especially _your Germany_, had contributed in recognition of the individual who seems to me worthy of respect for her father’s sake, which brings me to the thought how would it do if I were to publish a work for the benefit of this person by subscription, acquaint the public each year with the amount and its proceeds in order to assure her against possible misfortune. Write me quickly how this might best be accomplished so that something may be done before _this Bach_ dies, before this brook[104] dries up and we be no longer able to supply it with water. That you would publish the work is self-evident.