N. B. So far as I can remember there was nothing said in the invitation to Prince Esterhazy about the Mass being distributed only in manuscript. What mischief may not result from this. I suspect that the purpose of Herr Artaria in suggesting that the Mass be offered to the Prince gratis was to enable him to steal a work of mine for the third time. Beethoven’s lack of faith in the enterprise was justified; Esterhazy did not subscribe. No invitation was sent to the English court, probably because Beethoven cherished a grudge in that quarter; but subscriptions were asked of two large singing societies--the Singakademie of Berlin and the Cäcilien-Verein of Frankfort. Zelter was director of the Singakademie, and to him Beethoven wrote on February 8 as follows, after the introductory compliments and reflections: I wrote a Grand Mass, which might also be performed as an oratorio (for the benefit of the poor, as is the good custom that has been introduced) but did not want to publish it in print in the ordinary way, but to give it to the principal courts only. The fee amounts to 50 ducats. Except the copies subscribed for, none will be issued, so that the Mass is practically only a manuscript. He informs Zelter that an appeal has been sent to the King of Prussia and that he has asked the intercession in its behalf of Prince Radziwill. He then continues: I ask of you that you do what you can in the matter. A work of this kind might also be of service to the Singakademie, for there is little wanting to make it practicable for voices alone; but the more doubled and multiplied the latter in combination with the instruments, the more effective it would be. It might also be in place as an oratorio, such as is in demand for the Societies for Poverty. More or less ill for several years and therefore not in the most brilliant situation, I had recourse to this means. I have written much but accumulated almost 0. Disposed to send my glances aloft--but man is compelled for his own and for others’ sake to direct them downwards; but this too is a part of man’s destiny. [Sidenote: ZELTER AND THE SOLEMN MASS]