The Life of Ludwig van Beethoven, Volume IIIThayer, Alexander Wheelock
History
The Life of Ludwig van Beethoven, Volume III
Thayer, Alexander Wheelock
Beethoven, Ludwig van, 1770-1827
I cannot rest content with your remarks concerning the account
sent you; for the cash money loaned you I have charged you only 6%
interest, while for the money which you deposited with me I paid
you 8% promptly in advance and also repaid the capital promptly.
What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander (_Was also
dem Einen recht ist, muss dem Andern billig sein_). I am not in a
position to lend money without interest. As a friend I came to your
help in need, I trusted your word of honor and believe that I have
not been importunate, nor have I plagued you in any way; wherefore
I must solemnly protest against your upbraidings. If you recall
that my loan to you was made in part 5 years ago, you will yourself
confess that I am not an urgent creditor. I would spare you even
now and wait patiently if I were not on my honor in need of cash
for my business. If I were less convinced that you are really in a
position to give me relief and able to keep your _word of honor_
I would, difficult as it would be for me, right gladly remain
patient a while longer; but when I remember that I myself returned
to you 4,000 florins, conventional coin, or 10,000 florins, Vienna
Standard, as capital 17 months ago and at your request did not
deduct the amount due me, it is doubly painful to me now to be
embarrassed because of my good will and my trust in your word of
honor. Every man knows best where the shoe pinches and I am in this
case; wherefore I conjure you again not to leave me in the lurch
and to find means to liquidate my account as soon as possible.
As for the rest I beg you to accept from me the compliments of the
season together with the request that you continue to give me your
favor and friendship. It will rejoice me if you keep your word
and honor me soon with a visit; it rejoices me more that you have
happily withstood your illness and are again restored to health.
God preserve you long in health, contentment and enjoyment, this is
the wish of your wholly devoted
S. A. Steiner.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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