The
following text of the letter is from the novel by Lousia Muhlbach.
"Dearest
brother-in-law: It was God's will that I should exchange
here at Mantua my earthly life for a better one. But--God
be praised for his divine mercy!--it seems to me as little
painful as if I were to be led out for another purpose.
God in His mercy will doubtless be with me to the last moment,
when I shall ascend to that eternal dwelling-place where
my soul will rejoice for evermore with all the chosen spirit!
and where I shall pray for all, and particularly for those
to whom I owe my intercession; above all, for you, too,
and your dear wife, on account of the book which you presented
to me. and of other kind acts. Let all my dear friends and
acquaintances pray for me too, and help me to rise from
the devouring flames, when I have to expiate my sins in
purgatory. My beloved wife, Anna Gertrude, is to have masses
read for me at St. Martin's Zum rosenfarbnen Blut. She shall
have prayers read in both of the parish-churches, and treat
my friends at the lower inn to soup and meat, and give every
one half a bottle of wine. The money I had about me will
be distributed among the poor of this city; for the rest,
settle with my debtors and creditors as honestly as you
can; lest I should have to atone for it also. Farewell,
all of you, for this world, until we shall meet in heaven
and praise God for evermore. Dearest brother-in-law, repair
to the Passeyr valley, and inform the landlord of the lower
inn of my instructions. He will make all necessary dispositions.
Let all the inhabitants of Passeyr, and all my acquaintances
remember me in their prayers. Dearest brother-in-law, tell
my wife, Anna Gertrude, not to grieve for me. I shall pray
to God for her and for all. Adieu, beautiful world! Dying
seems to me so easy that there are not even tears in my
eyes."
"Written
at nine o'clock; at ten I shall ascend to God with the aid
of all the saints."
"Your--."
"Mantua,
February 20, 1810."
