Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of December 19, 1872

Overview

Evchen remains unwell, though the doctor still sees no reason for alarm, and the household continues in a state of uneasy waiting. In the afternoon I take Loldi to the Feustels, after which R. returns with discouraging reports about Bavaria, its absent king, and the growing tension with Prussia and the Reich. He also writes to Niemann to force a denial that he rejected Tristan, since the newspapers seem to be saying otherwise. A delayed letter from Claire finally arrives, and despite the annoyance over timing, we admire her political judgment and the way she handles France and Germany alike.

Content

Thursday, December 19:

Evchen still unwell, though it is not possible to say what is wrong with her; the doctor has no fears. In the afternoon take Loldi to the Feustels. R. then goes there, too, and brings back all sorts of news about Bavaria, none of it good: the King completely invisible, constantly ordering Louis XIV decorations for his Alpine chalets, dealing with his ministers solely through his groom, hating just one thing, Prussia and the German Empire. He will not allow the religious question to be submitted to the Reich, and in Bavaria itself it cannot be solved. The only thing which keeps him there is the fact that his successor is Prince Luitpold's son, and the people do not want this Austrian line; but the whole state is said to be disintegrating.

R. writes to Niemann, demanding from him a confirmation that he has not refused Tristan, as it seems the newspapers are maintaining!

Late yesterday evening a telegram arrived from Claire, which annoyed R. very much; this morning he told me it concerned something he had ordered for me which will not be ready in time. Her letter, held up in Bremen, at last arrives, and we have to admire the way in which she deals with the relations between France and Germany, and, indeed, everything else.