No tie stronger than life, no more powerful as death, came now to struggle against this bitter apathy! From the winter of 1848, Chopin had been in no condition to labor continuously.

From time to time he retouched some scattered leaves, without succeeding in arranging his thoughts in accordance with his designs.

A respectful care of his fame dictated to him the wish that these sketches should be destroyed to prevent the possibility of their being mutilated, disfigured, and transformed into posthumous works unworthy of his hand.
He left no finished manuscripts, except a very short WALTZ, and a last NOCTURNE, as parting memories.

In the later period of his life he thought of writing a method for the Piano, in which he intended to give his ideas upon the theory and technicality of his art, the results of his long and patient studies, his happy innovations, and his intelligent experience.

The task was a difficult one, demanding redoubled application even from one who labored as assiduously as Chopin.