Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of December 15, 1871

Overview

Letters and telegrams from Wagner report excellent arrangements, and his gifts of a pheasant and bashlyk reach Cosima at home. She works with the children, walks into town, and receives more bleak news from Mathilde Maier's impoverished struggle. Leaving Loulou behind remains painful but is accepted as a necessary punishment against untruthfulness, made slightly easier by the severe cold.

Content

Friday, December 15:

From R. a short letter from Munich, then a telegram from Bayreuth that all arrangements are in excellent shape. Also received a pheasant and a bashlyk, sent by him. Worked with the children and then walked into town. Letter from poor Mathilde Maier, who now in her dire need is learning photography! Nothing to report beyond activities with the children. Great sorrow not to be taking Lulu with me, God grant that by this means untruthfulness will be driven from her heart forever. My one consolation is that the cold is so intense that the punishment might turn out to have been prudent. May God be at my side in everything; things are never made easy for me.