“The Mount of Olives” produced in England—A letter to Thomson—Death of Brother Carl—Disputed Guardianship of Nephew Carl—Shabby treatment of Royal Philharmonic Society—Beethoven’s “poverty” —The “Hammerklavier” Sonata finished—The Mass in D started, and ninth Symphony sketched—A present from Broadwood—An offer from the Philharmonic Society

The first performance in England of the oratorio “The Mount of Olives” took place during this year, and some of the attendant circumstances are sufficiently curious to deserve mention. In 1813 Sir George Smart gave a Lenten Oratorio Season at Covent Garden. Casting round for a novelty for 1814, and hearing the Beethoven work mentioned he offered £50 to anyone who would procure him a copy. The work had been published by Breitkopf and Härtel, but owing to Napoleon’s embargo against England, copies could not be obtained in the ordinary way. In the winter of 1813–14, an eating-house keeper named Jack Morris brought Smart a copy of the Oratorio.” Well,” said the astonished and delighted conductor, “I’ll give you the £50.”

“No,” was the reply, “I’ll take only two guineas, for that’s what I paid for it.”

“How did you get it?” asked Smart.

“A friend of mine who is a King’s Messenger bought it for me in Leipsic.”

113The only acknowledgment that Morris would take, beside the two guineas, was that Smart should accept an invitation from him to be present at a pugilistic exhibition and at the supper afterwards. The score bears the date of reception, January 7, 1814. ¹