Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of August 15, 1872

Overview

The children go into town for the christening, and R. and his wife are deeply moved by the ceremony with the Svendsens. They later visit their new quarters, receive an exuberant pistol salute from the washerwoman, and spend time walking through the park while R. grows tired. The day closes with mixed feelings: good correspondence and professional reassurance on one side, and on the other a tiresome attempt by Herr Hartmann to win favor through grandiose flattery.

Content

Thursday, August 15:

Early to town with the three eldest; at 10 o’clock the christening with Frau Svendsen and her boy, R. and I, godparents, very affected.

Weeping, R. remarks that every time the words “This is my body,” etc., are spoken, one’s heart is literally torn in two. The dean very moved and moving. Then visited our new quarters and the house, returning around 2 o’clock; our washerwoman draws a pistol in honor of the new Christian and presents flowers.

R. very tired; we wander through the lovely park, visiting various places. In the evening read Gibbon.

Bad news from Brückwald, the architect, who is too casual; in contrast, a good letter from Hoffmann, the scene painter in Vienna, who seems to understand his task.

Herr Hartmann, the poet, turns up again with a Päpstin Johanna and at the same time as captatio benevolentiae with a suggestion of crowning R. like Petrarch. Miserable!