Melanchthon complains about the unpleasant conditions in Jena, so that he wants to work toward his return to Wittenberg. About the negligence of the civil servants in paying the salaries.
From Melanchthon's own manuscript in Cod. Rhedig Vratisl. Vol. V, transcribed by S. V. Schulzius, printed in the Corp. Ref.
To the venerable Mr. Martin Luther, Doctor of Theology, his extremely dear father.
Hail! After the departure of the prince, we have, here at least, received no news; nor has Christoph, that English messenger, returned to us. Therefore, I will write only about private things. There is such a great lack of many things here that I think, as far as I can judge and foresee, that we will not be able to maintain our household here in the winter. Therefore, as soon as we meet, I will speak to the council concerning the return. For now Cruciger is also absent, and the legal scholars are absent. We are suffering severe punishments for our foolishness, and especially I, that we left there by following a foreign judgment rather than our own.
Brück reminded the prince about your salary. If you have not received it, let me know. For the prince's commandments are extraordinarily neglected. Blank (? Pluncus) does not pay us. Also the others, from whom the scholastici (students) receive money, do not send anything. Therefore, you can easily calculate the state of our affairs. What do you say to the fact that the prince himself has withdrawn people from our academy, whose absence causes not a little damage to the studies. But I want to stop. You are quite well and happy and greet respectfully in my name your most honorable wife. On the day before Lucä [Oct. 17].
Philip.
No. 2183.