Leipzig, February 4th, 1843.

Dear Lady,

I send “SiebenkÄs,” according to your desire. May it cause you half the pleasure it caused me when I first read it, and very frequently since. I believe that the period when we first learn to love, and to know such a glorious work, is among the happiest hours of our lives. As you have read very little of Jean Paul, were I in your place, I would not concern myself much about the prologues, but at first entirely discard the “BlumenstÜcke,” and begin at once at page 26, and follow the story of “SiebenkÄs” to its close. When you have read this, and perhaps also the “Flegel Jahre,” and some more of his wonderful works, then no doubt you will like and prize all he has written,—even the more laboured, the less happy, or the obsolete,—and then you will no longer wish to miss the “BlumenstÜcke,” the prologues, and the “Traum im Traum,” etc. etc.

As soon as you wish for anything new, you will always find me at the service of you and yours.—Your devoted

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy.