35 To Court-Marshal Freiherr von Spiegel at Weimar
[Given by L. Ramann, “Franz Liszt,” vol. ii., 1.]
Monsieur le Baron,
It is very difficult to reply to so gracefully flattering a letter as your Excellency has been good enough to write to me.
I must nevertheless say that I wish with all my heart and in all ways that I could answer it. I shall reach Weimar, bag and baggage, towards the middle of October, and if I succeed in communicating to others a little of the satisfaction I cannot fail to find there, thanks to the gracious kindness of their Highnesses and the friendly readiness of your Excellency, I shall be only too glad.
Meanwhile I beg to remain, Monsieur le Baron, with respectful compliments,
Yours obediently,
Cologne; September 12th, 1862. F. Liszt
36. To Carl Filitsch.
[Autograph in the possession of Count Albert Amadei in Vienna.— Addressed to the talented young pianist, born at Hermannstadt in the Siebenburgen in 1830, died at Venice 1845, studied with Chopin and Liszt in Paris in 1842-43, and created a sensation with his concerts both there and in London, Vienna, and Italy. According to Lenz, Liszt said of him, “When the youngster goes travelling I shall shut up shop!”]
Compiegne, Wednesday Morning [1842 or 1843].
Dearly beloved conjurer,
How sorry I am to disappoint [Literally. “to make a false skip,” a play-of-words with the next sentence.] you of our usual lesson tomorrow! Your “false skips” would be a great deal pleasanter to me! but, unless we could manage to put you where we could hear you from the towers of Notre Dame to the Cathedral of Cologne, there is a material impossibility in continuing our sort of lessons, considering that by tomorrow evening I shall already be at Cologne.
If I return, or when I return—I really don’t know. Whatever happens, keep a little corner of remembrance of me, and believe me ever yours affectionately,
F. Liszt
Affectionate remembrances to your brother Joseph. Farewell again. I embrace you affectionately.