Beethoven promises his Leipzig publisher that he will now send the (long-promised) organ part for the Mass op. 86. He asks whether op. 85 and op. 86 will also really appear in score and more to the point, when. Beethoven draws his attention to the signed confirmation of ownership enclosed (no longer surviving), which covers the works opp. 67-86, as well as WoO 136 and WoO 137, which they had acquired since 1808.
Beethoven is very happy with the German text underneath the Mass (op. 86) and the Italian Songs (op. 82) and wants to thank the translator Christian Schreiber. He is also happy to have received the Fantasia op. 77 so that he can correct it and promises to speedily deal with further corrections and send them back.
Finally he mentions his plans to travel to Italy which his doctor has overruled. Beethoven had wanted to take the waters in Italy on account of his bad health and his failing hearing. After the Austrian state had gone bankrupt in February 1811 involving a currency reform and a substantial devaluation of money, Beethoven's finances had been reduced to such an extent that Italy simply became too expensive for him. His doctor, Johann Malfatti, suggested instead that he go to the warm baths in Teplitz in Bohemia.
