Anecdotes of Great Musicians/Anecdote 218
218.—BEETHOVEN'S GRATITUDE.
In spite of his occasional petulance of temper, Beethoven had a warm heart for those in distress; and, moreover, he seldom forgot any one who had rendered him a good service, although he did at times impute selfish motives to his friends when they advised him for what they considered his own good. When his mother lay ill at his old home in Bonn, he hurried to her from Vienna, but arrived in time only to witness her death. After the funeral he found himself reduced to the verge of starvation. Had it not been for the violinist, Ries, who advanced him some funds, he would have suffered the pangs of hunger.
Many years afterward, the son of this violinist came to Beethoven for musical instruction and presented a note of introduction from his father. The great composer gave him a warm reception, a thing many aspirants for his instruction did not receive; and besides having his request that Beethoven should oversee his musical education granted, he was given this message to his old father in Bonn:—
"Tell your father I have not forgotten the death of my mother."