Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of July 9, 1872

Overview

The day opened with another strange note from Herr Krebs, whose self-important despair only deepened our sense of absurdity, and a letter from New York asking about the Magic Fire Music and patronage certificates. R. worked, though with a discouraged spirit, while I copied my letter to Frau von Meyendorff and immediately regretted having to enter the web of replies and social maneuvering. He later inspected the progress on our house and was visibly moved by how far the work had advanced. A letter from nephew Fritz also raised hopes of arranging a marriage with my Viennese Liszt cousin.

Content

Tuesday, July 9:

Some unsigned lines from Herr Krebs, whose writing we know: “With Hamlet I have learned to recognize the nature of the world and I find it disgusting,” the last words underlined three times!

Letter from a Herr Bergmann in New York; they would like to have the “Magic Fire Music” there, etc., and he inquires where certificates of patronage can be bought.

R. works, though with melancholy, since his impressions are all too discouraging, and I copy out my letter to Frau von Meyendorff. With this my pleasure is also at an end, for now I must expect replies, etc., and all the nonsense and deceit of the outside world.

R. goes into town; he inspects the site of our house, and it moves him very much to see the work well advanced. Letter from nephew Fritz; I should like very much to bring about a marriage between him and my Liszt cousin in Vienna.