Arnim, Bettina von (née Brentano).

comprising five diverging drafts, one signed, vigorously defending the composer, enquiring after the cause of the dispute, citing Spontini's own words, describing the wounding effect on Spontini's honour of the false reports in the press, observing that while there was no malice on Spontini's part his anger might have caused him to overstep the boundary between king and subject, reflecting that each man is king and high priest in the temple of his own dignity, noting that as a foreigner he is particularly entitled to justice, imagining a similar situation happening to a German composer abroad, and explaining that it was Spontini's wish that she pass on some encouraging words to Herr Kunofsky



...Die paar Worte die Sie mir gestern über Spontini sagten, lieber Herr Robert, bewegen mich Ihnen zu schreiben, ich kann nicht mit Ihnen einverstanden sein, wenn Sie ihn von Majestätsbeleidigung nicht freisprechen; ich höre in seiner Verantwortung nur den Widerhall des ihn dazu anreitzenden lügenhaften Zeitungsartikels. Die Majestätsbeleidigung wenn sie hier eine sein soll, ist in der bewußten Lüge jener Anzeige zu suchen die ihn dazu drängte seine öffentlich mit Füssen getretne Ehre und sein vielfältig gekränktes Recht zu behaupten...Bosheit hat Spontini nicht, das geben Sie zu, aber Zorn konnte ihn veranlaßt haben eine Grenze zu überschreiten die zwischen König und Unterthan festgestellt ist. Allein der Mensch für sich ist auch König und Hoherpriester im Tempel eigner Würde...



20 closely-written pages, large 4to (28 x 23cm), containing a number of deletions, with a diverging version of the signed draft in two other unidentified hands, no place or date [probably Berlin, 1841], some light creasing, a few tiny tears

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Through a misunderstanding, some remarks of the Prussian music director Gaspare Spontini (1774-1851) had led to accusations of lèse majesté and his being booed out of the opera house on 2 April 1841. In July of that year he was dismissed from his post and sentenced to nine months' imprisonment. Spontini's cause was taken up vigorously by Bettina von Arnim, who published in 1842 a collection of seven songs to demonstrate her support. Not least as a result of her interventions (a letter of hers to Spontini had been widely published in the press in May 1841), Friedrich Wilhelm IV rescinded the sentence in May 1842. Bettina's addressee in the drafts was Moritz Robert-Tornow (1785-1846), the youngest brother of Rahel Levin-Varnhagen.