Peng Wei, Dear Father No.1 2015

ce 2 de juin, 1781

Mon très cher père!

You will have gathered from my last letter that I have spoken to Count Arco himself. Praise and thanks be to God that everything has passed off so well! Do not be anxious; you have nothing whatever to fear from the Archbishop, for Count Arco did not say a single word to make me think that you might be adversely affected—and when he told me that you had written to him and had complained about me, I immediately interrupted him and said: "But not to me? He wrote to me in such a strain that I have often thought I should go crazy. But no matter how much thought I give to the matter, I simply cannot, etc.'' Then he said: "Believe me, you allow yourself to be far too easily dazzled here in Vienna. A man's fame here lasts a very short time. At first, it is true, you are overwhelmed with praises and make a great deal of money in the bargain but how long does that last? After a few months the Viennese want something new." "You are right, Count," I replied, "But do you suppose that I mean to settle in Vienna? Not at all. I know where I shall go. The fact that this incident took place in Vienna is the Archbishop's fault and not mine. If he knew how to treat people who have talent, it would never have happened. I am the nicest fellow in the world, Count Arco, provided that people are the same with me." "Well," he said, "the Archbishop considers you a dreadfully conceited person." "I am sure he does," I said, "and indeed I am so towards him. I treat people as they treat me. When I see that someone despises me and treats me with contempt, I can be as proud as a peacock." Among other things he asked me whether I did not think that he too often had to swallow very disagree able words. I shrugged my shoulders and said: "You no doubt have your reasons for putting up with it, and I have my reasons for refusing to do so"....