Ludwig van Beethoven, Brief an Ferdinand Ries in London, Wien, 30. Januar 1819, Autograph

Beethoven writes to Ries and puts off his long-promised trip to London, citing "various circumstances" (the guardianship case concerning his nephew Karl). He says he will come the following winter and promises to then bring the two symphonies which he has consented to write for the London Philharmonic Society.

He is disappointed with the bad reception of his overtures for op. 133, op. 117 and op. 115 in London because they had been very successful in Vienna and Pest. Beethoven is certain that Ries has already received the Quintet op. 104 and the Sonata op. 106. Both works are to be printed as soon as possible as they have already been published in Vienna. He will also gladly send proof of ownership. He will send the metronome markings with the next post.

Ries had asked Beethoven for a portrait which the latter now agrees to send at the next opportunity. We do not know whether Beethoven ever did send a portrait and if so, which one it might have been.