It is with great pleasure that I embrace the opportunity to approach you in writing; in spirit I am with you often enough, inasmuch as I value your works more than all others written for the stage, though the beautiful world of art must deplore the fact that for a considerable period no new theatrical work of yours of large dimensions has appeared, at least not in our Germany; high as your other works are esteemed by true connoisseurs, it is yet a veritable loss to art not to possess a new product of your great mind. True art remains imperishable and the genuine artist feels sincere pleasure in real and great products of genius, and so I, too, am enraptured whenever I hear a new work of yours and feel as great an interest in it as in my own works.--In brief, I honor and love you--If it were not for my continual ill health and I could see you in Paris, with what extraordinary delight would I discuss art matters with you?! I must add that to every artist and art-lover I always speak of you with _Enthusiasm_, otherwise you might (_illegible word_) believe, since I am about to ask a favor of you, that this was merely an introduction to the subject. I hope, however, that you will not attribute such lowmindedness, so contemptible an action, to me. My request consists in this, etc.[73] That in this, etc. I know that if you will advise His Majesty to take the Mass, he will surely do so. My situation _ma critique demande que je ne fixe seulement come ordinaire mes pensées aux ciel aux contraire, il faut les fixer en bas pour les necessites de la vie_. Whatever may be the fate of my request to you, I shall always love and honor you _et vous resteres toujours celui de mes contemporains, que je l’estime le plus si vous me voulez faire une_ [sic] _estréme plaisir, c’etoit si m’ecrireess quelque lignes, ce que me soulagera bien--l’art unie touta_ [sic] _le monde_ and how much more true artists, _et peut etres vous me dignes aussi, de me mettre_ also to be counted amongst this number, _avec la plus haute estime votre ami e serviteur Beeth._ [Sidenote: A MEDAL FROM THE KING OF FRANCE] The letter was despatched on March 15. Cherubini did not receive it, and as late as 1841 expressed his great regret at the miscarriage which, however, worked no harm to the enterprise. King Louis XVIII not only subscribed for the Mass but within less than a year sent Beethoven a gold medal weighing twenty-one Louis d’ors, showing on the obverse side the bust of the King and on the reverse, within a wreath, the inscription: _Donnée par le Roi à Monsieur Beethoven_. Duke d’Achâts, First Chamberlain of the King, accompanied the gift with the following letter: