Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of December 14, 1872

Overview

We visit Clemens and then spend time with the Brockhauses again, where Heinrich Brockhaus insists on some kind of reconciliation with R. I am deeply disturbed by his appearance and cannot help seeing him as a figure of deprivation and injustice. Later, at Fritzsch’s house, we meet Scaria and Gura, whom R. had not especially wanted to see, but both perform well enough to satisfy him, especially Scaria. R. also confides how the usual dinner table arrangement of bottles, rolls, and folded napkins can provoke a sudden fury in him.

Content

Saturday, December 14:

We visit Clemens in the Johannisturm. Afterward did some shopping; had lunch again with the Brockhauses, also present being the brother, Heinrich Brockhaus, who had insisted on a "reconciliation" with R. The deaf and blind man made a horrible impression on me, reminding me of the evil servant in Raimund's play; here, too, someone has unjustly taken possession of another's property. All that remains to one is pity.

Spent the evening with our publisher Fritzsch; Scaria and Gura, neither of whom R. had wished to see, either in the Gewandhaus or in the "Margarethe" theater. R. is satisfied with both of them, particularly with Scaria, who is to do the giant Fafner, Hunding, and Hagen.

We leave Fritzsch's house at about ten, R. telling me he could get in a fury and hit out whenever he sees the usual rows of bottles, the rolls, and the folded table napkins laid out for dinner.