Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of January 19, 1872

Overview

R. worked intensely but complained that composing stole the happiness he wanted to feel with the children. I went out with them in the sunshine, while uncertainty about business matters and the silence from Baron Cohn continued to irritate us. A dead palm tree I had once received from R. struck me with unexpected sadness, though an Indian tale read aloud later soothed everyone’s spirits.

Content

Friday, January 19:

R. works a lot, but is angry with his “composing,” maintaining that it keeps him from enjoying his happiness. He so longs to be with the children, whose every word is gold. I go out with the children in splendid sunshine.

Letter from Marie Schleinitz, but still nothing from Baron Cohn; God knows how things stand; nobody knows at all how business is progressing. R. is very annoyed about it. R. is made honorary member of the Society of Friends of Music.

An article about “Hans von Bülow” by Herr Schelle in Vienna has been sent to me. It leaves no pleasant impression. A palm which R. gave me two years ago has died; I entrusted it to the servants, and now the tree looks at me so reproachfully that I feel a stab in my heart.

R. returns from his walk in a bad humor, but is cheered up by a tale from the Panchatantra, which he reads to us and which charms us all. In the evening Schopenhauer.