Walker-My_Musical_Ex.. - Walter Cosand

HENSELT 311
' To Mdlle. M. Bonterwek, in the house of the Presi-
dent Conta.
'Most valued Friend,
' Is not this my usual way of addressing you ?
But I am in earnest ; beheve me, my love, that I
really value you. Will you be able to forgive me for
having delayed so long m writing to you ? It seems
not. But if I had known of this I would not have
had the confidence to ask for news.
'Your letter, which rejoiced me greatly, and for
which I thank you greatly (although it was indeed
through one which was not addressed to me that I
really perceived what you are to me), is lying before
me. It gives rise to much which I ought to make
you observe, and much to which I ought to reply.
The first being too tedious to write in full, and as I,
besides, shall soon have the pleasure of seeing you,
I shall wait until then. You ask for my other songs.
Once I am with you, you may have what you wish.
Can you have so little knowledge of your own
capacities that you cannot even compare yourself
with N. ? I certainly like her much ; but I confess
that I do not believe she will ever be a good per-
former. She has been too much spoilt from the first.
For this reason I have not recommended to her the
"Five-Finger Exercises." For even if she were to
follow me blindly, and to play them, it would be a