Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of June 26, 1873

Overview

The morning begins with extended talk of Saint Paul, then shifts to theatrical work and the testimonies of friends who recall R.'s influence with gratitude. Anecdotes from Dresden, wartime confusion, and clever theatrical notices all reinforce the sense of a life lived through art, politics, and improvisation. Financial anxiety returns sharply with a new mortgage, even as family correspondence and reading continue around it. The following day carries the same mix of domestic hope and practical unease, with Fidi claiming the new house as his destiny and the local press becoming another object of distrust.

Content

Thursday, June 26:

Talked a lot in the morning about Saint Paul, then R. goes off to his work, pleased at having to write for 8 horns. At lunch our friend the sculptor, who at first amuses us greatly with his reports on conditions in Dresden in the year ’66, the King and his family and the whole army being the first to make their escape! Then the general conviction that the Austrians would win, making the editor of the local newspaper declare to Kietz, “I have to publish the Prussian bulletins (the town was under occupation), but I know they are wrong!” Then our friend touches me with his description of the impressions he owes to R., the splendid performances under his direction (Iphigenia, Alceste), the encounter with his works; Kietz says he cannot imagine what would have become of him if he had not experienced these. He goes on to tell how he carried to the newspaper the notices which R. had prepared in connection with the theater affair, in order to enliven it, and signed “Two students on vacation, J. P., F. R.” (Jean Paul, Friedrich Richter), and how R. had begrudged the money he had to pay for them, once it had been as much as 10 thalers! In the afternoon R. goes to see Feustel and a mortgage is taken out (12,000 thalers), which alarms me! Letter from my father in Dornburg, written at Goethe’s desk. In the evening read Uhland’s book until midnight.

Friday, June 27:

In the morning, when we ask Fidi what he wants to be, he answers, “Master of the new house.” R. is not well today and cannot do much work. Wrote to Karl Gersdorff. In the afternoon vexation with our local newspaper; the news concerning our building in the foreign papers is to the effect that the material resources for our undertaking are assured, and only the care needed to find the performing artists is delaying the performances, a report which our man here questions! R. discovers that the editor has been changed, and a man from Berlin, probably a Jew, has been engaged. Wet weather, but walk nevertheless to the new house with all the children; no great joy in the bust, it is very doubtful whether it will be any good. In the evening continued reading Uhland.