Franz Joseph Haydn -

Franz Joseph Haydn-letter from the Austrian composer to Johann Peter Salomon of London. Dated 18 May 1799, Vienna. Translation: 'Dearest Friend, The bearer of this, is a young man of great attainments, and whose character you will, with your deep knowledge of human nature, gauge more accurately than I can describe it to you. His proposed musical enterprise is most interesting, but I fear without help he will not be able to carry it out. He has begged me to recommend him to some capable man in London, and I have therefore taken the liberty of sending him to you. If you can further his object, you will confer a great boon on the world. With the assurance of my most distinguished esteem, I remain, dearest Friend, Your most sincere Friend and Servant, Jos. Haydn.' FJH: 31 March 1732-31 May 1809. JPS: German violinist, composer, conductor and musical impresario, 20 February 1745-28 November 1815. The History of Music, by Emil Naumann. Volume IV, p.862/3.