Heaven has finally refreshed us with a little rain during the last day or so. I`ve received your few lines; it was most efficient of you to write so little on the first side and nothing at all on the second, as so many 1000s of characters could make a letter so heavy that 6 horses would be needed to transport it to Milan. Heavens! What needless expenditure! Blank pages are always cheaper to transport than ones that have been written on. I`ll reply to my brother ¹¹ It is not certain which of Leopold’s brothers is referred to here. In letter 242 Leopold mentions Franz Alois and the shipment of copies of his Versuch einer gründliche Violinschule to Nürnberg; but there would not have been sufficient time between that letter and this one for Anna Maria Mozart to have contacted Franz Alois, heard back from him, and communicated any message he might have had for Leopold. Accordingly the reference here is unrelated to letter 242 although ‘my brother’ may nevertheless refer to Franz Alois. Also see letters 221 and 230[Close] directly in Augspurg. I shan`t get involved in their worthless dealings. We now have other things to think about as the libretto was late arriving and until 2 days ago was still with the poet so that odd changes could be made. I hope it`ll turn out well: but Wolfg. now has his hands full as he also has to write the ballet that links together the two acts or parts . ²² Except for a single non-autograph bass part bound with the autograph score, Mozart`s ballets are lost although parts may survive in KAnh. C27.06. See Plath, `Der Ballo des `Ascanio` und die Klavierstücke KV Anh. 207`[Close] I wasn`t especially surprised to hear that Archd Maximilian has become a canon: ever since I got back from Italy I`d been telling everyone in Salzb. that it would happen. The rest will follow: just be patient! I`m sorry that I can`t tell you everything. Salzburg isn`t the only object of this initial step! - - - - - ³³ Leopold’s reference is obscure although according to Bauer-Deutsch, v.304, it refers to his attempt to secure positions at the court of Archduke Ferdinand[Close] I hope you`re both keeping well, and I have no doubt that Nannerl will continue to take her herb soup now that she`s discovered that it`s good for her. If Secretary Troger is still in Salzb., you should give him a couple of boxes of Hans Spielmann`s famous pills, ⁴⁴ Possibly a reference to Jacob Reinbold Spielmann (1722-1783), a medical doctor, chemist and apothecary in Strabourg who is said to have been one of Goethe’s teachers. Spielmann’s pharmaceutical writings include Pharmacopeoea Generalis (Strassbourg, 1783) which does not, however, mention pills. See Grasse, Zu Leben und Werk von Jakob Reinbold Spielmann (1722-1783) and letter 246[Close] but if, as I assume, he`s already left, then you should make enquiries in the inns and at the post, as there will undoubtedly be others travelling through Salzb. to Milan: and anyone will take them with them, it`s enough for you to address it: c/o Hs Ex Count Firmian or al Illmo: Sgr: Padre: Colldssmo: il Sgr: Leopoldo Troger Secretario Reggio nello Stato Stato della Lombardia à Milano in Casa di S: Ecc: Il Sgr. Conte di Firmian.

I need these pills as I know that they`re effective whenever I suffer from dizziness as a result of constipation. I`ve had it quite a lot since leaving Salzb., though not so badly that I`ve vomited or been obliged to remain in bed. I`ve now been taking the pills for 3 days and can feel that my head is clearer. But unfortunately I`ve only 8 left. We kiss you many 1000000 times, and I am your old
LMozart.
Nannerl hasn`t written, and so Wolfg. isn`t writing either. Best wishes from us both to all our good friends. Have you received my salary for the month of August? -