Beethoven offers the publishers the Variations WoO 78 and 79, the Wachtellied WoO 129 and the Marches for piano four hands for a total of 300 florins. He asks for a prompt reply.
Beethoven expresses thanks for being sent the copies of the Variations op. 34 but criticizes the mistakes which he has found. In order to avoid the same with op. 35 he once again asks to be sent a proof before publication. As far as Regina Bach is concerned, he promises to apply himself to the project in the coming winter. (Johann Sebastian Bach's daughter Regina lived in great poverty, which is why collections had been made in honour of her father's memory. Together with Breitkopf & Härtel Beethoven had considered publishing a work on a subscription basis for her benefit).
Finally he ironically expresses thanks for the review of his Oratorio "Christus am Ölberge" ("Christ on the Mount of Olives") op. 85 in the Allgemeine musikalische Zeitung, which was also published by Breitkopf & Härtel. Beethoven's pride has been hurt and he feels he has been treated "infamous person". The critic had not only criticized the high entrance fee but also reproached Beethoven for the fact that the composition had too little characterization and no well-thought out plan.
