Diary Entry of December 13, 1872
The day begins with lunch at the Brockhauses, where there is at least comforting news about the children, and ends with a banquet at the Hotel de Prusse. In his speech, Richard reflects on the three very different Leipzigs he has known: the lively city of his youthful Oberon period, the alien place after his return from exile, and the warmer, more welcoming birthplace he now encounters. Several guests respond with remarks of varying quality, extending the formal evening into the night. We finally return home around midnight.
Friday, December 13:
Lunch with the Brockhauses; good news of the children. In the evening a banquet at the Hôtel de Prusse. Richard speaks of the three generations he has experienced here in Leipzig: the first, the time of Oberon, pleasant and exciting; the second, at the time of his first return from exile, completely alien to him; the third now friendly toward him, making him feel at home in his birthplace.
Several people reply, more or less well. We return home around midnight.