BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Tuesday, April 4, 1826 (approximately)

Beethoven works on a shopping and errand list this morning. The housekeeper is still ill.

• Vinegar for salad and kitchen
• change into small money
• Boot wax
• where is the medicine made? —

A housekeeper applicant visits Beethoven. She currently is in service of Frau von Schmid, an Imperial Court Haberdashery worker, for whom she has been working about a year. Frau von Schmid’s mother lives in her neighborhood, and told Frau Schmid that Beethoven was looking for a housekeeper. “I also know of a very good kitchen maid for Your Grace.”

Beethoven asks how Frau von Schmid’s mother came to know about his need for a housekeeper. The applicant says she learned it from the bread distributor, “where Your Grace buys his bread.” She could work for Beethoven, but would need to resign her current service first.

Beethoven apparently does not hire her at this point, but gives her Nephew Karl’s information so he can interview her.

Conversation Book 107, 61v-62v.