BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Wednesday, September 6, 1826

Unpaid assistant Karl Holz visits Beethoven briefly before he departs for Baden. He notes that it is the one-month anniversary [of Karl’s suicide attempt.] Beethoven asks how much this month in the hospital will cost; Holz tells him 40 florins. “I deposited the money. Without receipt. The bill will only be issued once Karl is discharged from the hospital. Karl was alone when I visited him; the mother did not come until later. I urged him to treat his uncle more honestly; he promised to write to you tomorrow. He wants to become a soldier. The mother said that the superior guardianship would have to decide that, but I answered: He who pays the money is the guardian, and that’s final!”

Holz went to the Magistrate’s office, but did not meet with the councilor, Ignaz Czapka, about the guardianship. Czapka was in a meeting. His actuary was there, and he explained that what is to come are only formalities. The entire file has been handed over to the government. The Magistrate has requested that a commission be held about Karl’s future. “However, everything you wish will happen, because they know how to appreciate your noble sentiments.”

Beethoven asks Holz what route he is taking to Baden. He is leaving for Döbling and will sleep there tonight with the Bogners. Then he will travel on to Baden.

Beethoven visits Nephew Karl in the General Hospital either this afternoon or tomorrow morning. [An engraving of the hospital as it appeared as of 1793 is shown nearby.]

This is the first time he has seen Karl since he was brought to the hospital a month ago. Karl cuts off discussion about his suicide attempt: “My present condition is still such that I have to ask you to mention as little as possible about what has happened and cannot be changed. If my wish about joining the army can be fulfilled, I shall feel happy. In any case, I see this as the only opportunity for me to live satisfactorily. Therefore, I ask you to spend whatever money you think appropriate for this, and above all, to make sure that I get away from here as soon as possible after my recovery.”

Uncle Ludwig is not happy about Karl’s choice to join the army, and suggests that he is giving up. Karl responds, “I ask you not to let yourself be prevented from making the necessary arrangements because you think I only choose this career out of despair; I am composed enough to be able to consider this calmly, and my wishes regarding this will always remain the same.” As a cadet, he could also hope for promotion soon; this is the same path that many others have taken.

Uncle Ludwig’s visit is a short one. He goes to a coffee house to read the newspapers and copies down an advertisement for a housekeeper of mature years who cooks and bakes well. [The same advertisement appears in tomorrow’s Intelligenzblatt as well.]

Beethoven writes some memoranda about Karl and his mother:

• “the m—-r [mother] to go to Pressburg [now Bratislava] or somewhere else

• his passionate gambling must be prevented, otherwise improvement will not be possible.”

Conversation Book 120, 23r-26r.