Very honored Confrere and very dear Friend,

I shall certainly be in London the first week in April. With regard to my visit to Paris I am still very undecided, as I do not wish to expose myself to discomfiture like that which I had to go through in '66. [Liszt's scruples were removed; as is well known, he went to Paris, and found himself indescribably feted there. The triumphs of his youth were repeated once more in the evening of his life.]

Everywhere and always I shall be happy and proud of your collaboration, and remain your sincere admirer and devoted friend,

F. Liszt

Rome (Hotel Alibert), November 28th, 1885

I shall remain here till the middle of January. This summer Mme.

Montigny [Mme. Montigny-Remaury, an excellent pianist; retired into private life on her second marriage in Vienna] spoke to me of her marriage, which has now taken place. M. de Serres gave me the impression of an honest man who adores his wife. I have no news of the newly married couple.

There is nothing more witty than your remark on the perpetual youth of composers in Paris. In your company, dear friend, I would gladly be of the party, in spite of my seventy-four years.

373. To Eugen d'Albert

[The most important and many-sided of the younger pupils of Liszt]

Admired, Dear "Albertus Magnus,"

Thank you for the dedication of your worthy, n.o.ble, effective Concerto, which I have again read through with special pleasure, and heard played by Stavenhagen.

Is no edition of it for two pianofortes come out? I think such editions are desirable--almost indispensable. They are also much used now.

Congratulating you on your happiness in becoming a father, with best regards to your wife,

Yours most truly,

F. Liszt

Rome, December 26th, 1885

370. To Sophie Menter

Kind Diplomatist and Very Dear Friend,

I am writing my most humble thanks to the Grand Duke Constantine for his gracious invitation, together with the very kindly intentioned consideration of my age and failing eyesight--and especially my unfitness for pianoforte playing and orchestral conducting. This deters me from making any pretensions to a fee; but you know, dear friend, that my small income would not be sufficient to pay for lodging and a carriage in Petersburg. From the 1st to the 12th April I am detained in London. If it is not too late then, to Petersburg comes

Yours ever most faithfully,

F. Liszt

Rome, December 30th, 1885

In the middle of January I return to Budapest. Friendly greetings to the New School, whom I will beg to a.s.sist me as a veritable privy council in Petersburg. From the next letter of the Grand Duke Constantine I await the decision whether my journey to Petersburg in the middle of April is accepted or not.

375. To Eduard Reuss

My Dear Friend,

Still some slight alterations and amplifications in the "Concerto pathetique."

The drum rhythm

[Here, Liszt ill.u.s.trates with a 2-bar musical score excerpt]

appears to me too risky; if the drummer comes down plump on it he will spoil the whole piece. Let's therefore put

[Here, Liszt ill.u.s.trates with 3-bar musical score excerpt]

This rhythm will serve us twice as a transition,--and at the end.

Before the end of this month I shall be in Budapest, and at the beginning of April in London, for the "Elizabeth" performance (St. James's Hall) under Mackenzie's conducting.

Faithfully yours,

F. Liszt

Rome, January 10th, 1886

376. To Walter Bache

My Very Dear Friend,

They seem determined in London to push me to the Piano.

I cannot consent to this in public, as my seventy-five-year-old fingers are no longer suited to it, and Bulow, Saint-Satins, Rubinstein, and you, dear Bache, play my compositions much better than what is left of my humble self.

Perhaps it would be opportune if friend Hueffer would have the kindness to let the public know, by a short announcement, that Liszt only ventures to appear as a grateful visitor, and neither in London nor anywhere else as a man with an interest in his fingers.

In all friendship yours,

F. Liszt

Budapest, February 11th, 1886

77. To the Countess Mercy-Argeneau

Very Admirable and Admired One [Tres admirable et admiree],