BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Wednesday, December 4, 1824

Ludwig makes a shopping and errand list:

+Pencil.
+Blotting paper. [These first two entries are likely related to the proofreading work on the Ninth Symphony and Missa Solemnis for the publisher.]
+Today concerning cream. [There is discussion of cream being spoiled later on in the conversation book.]
+Nails.
Southern France, thither! Ah!

Nephew Karl joins his uncle in the afternoon. They get into a ridiculous argument about whether or not Karl has been tampering with the clock. Karl retorts, “I absolutely believe that you are of the opinion that I set the clock back, because you asked what time I wanted it to be. If I don’t set the clock exactly every day, then it happens [the clock stops] many times out of forgetfulness, because other things always come in between, also because I myself don’t know the exact time, because I can’t tell the time from the hands of the tower clock [at the Maltese Church] because they usually stand still.”

“This morning, however, your clock was probably working well, because I arrived at my discussion group at the right time. At mid-day I couldn’t set it, because you were not here; also, because of the incident with the boot-trees, I didn’t think of it. If you otherwise believe that I have behaved defiantly, then you are wrong. I wanted to save the explanation until dinner, because I was not yet entirely finished with my written exercises.”

Later that evening, Karl (who has switched from ink to pencil), notes that he had to write out what was calculated and received, and it was apparent that a woman’s finances [possibly the landlady or one of the domestic servants] were not in order.

Uncle Ludwig would like to dictate a letter to the Schott publishing firm about their pending business.

Karl continues, “What concern is that to us? She was angry as a witch.” Uncle Ludwig tells Karl in writing, “Write the letter.” [Karl appears to ignore his uncle’s request. No letter is known to be sent by Ludwig today, but he will write the letter to Schott himself tomorrow.]

Karl thinks that at least things can go back to normal for a while after such scenes. “It casts out the devil.” He cannot understand why the servants cannot hear the bell. He needs to try it out.

Conversation Book 78, 14r-16r.