Monday, November 20:
Hans sends an Italian grammar for the children. R.’s letter appears in Italian. Letter from a member of the orchestra in Bologna. The success of Lohengrin is constantly increasing.
The Italian letter has been published, very weakened and watered down, which prompts R. into some observations on the Italian people. Christmas excursions, and to Countess B.’s in that connection. A Count Spec has made off with 70,000 francs—we regarded him as the most honest of men. In the A.A.Z., a news item saying R. had offered himself to Darmstadt; again quite typical. R. cuts out this item and the one in the Mannheim paper and sends them to Councilor Dufffipp, for presumably it is all aimed at the King.
In the morning R. plays me his second act, which is awesomely sublime! In the evening, The Republic.