Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of June 8, 1873

Overview

The day turns toward questions of the child’s future and education, imagined in lofty national and classical terms rather than ordinary schooling. Yet the diarist’s private tone remains bleak, burdened by sadness, exhaustion, and the fear that she is failing in her duties. A musical excerpt from Gotterdämmerung offers a moment of release before she returns to prayer and surrender.

Content

Sunday, June 8:

We talk about Fidi’s future; besides surgery I should very much like him to become an important statesman who will one day serve Germany. R. feels this requires social position and a certain lack of imagination; what he is hoping for is a clever young person to take charge of Fidi’s education, which should start with a thorough grounding in the German language, including Old and Middle High German, go on to Greek as if to a perfect paradise, and from there be led via Latin to Italian, English, and Spanish. But whatever happens he should not be cast into the general funnel of present-day education.

R. takes over my worries regarding Daniella and gives her a fine lecture; I hope to God it will bear fruit, for I am very sad and have never before felt so weary of life—how hard Nature is making it for me to serve Hans—as if I am no longer to be permitted to do so!

Walk with R. and the children to Schloss Cohndorf, where an auction is advertised. On our return home R. plays me something from Götterdämmerung—profound release, full of tears: can the cup be taken from me? But let it not be as I will—rather as Thou willst!

Prayers.