Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of August 10, 1873

Overview

By August 10, R. has finished his letter to the King, and the family continues its now-daily luncheon routine. They spend time at the new house, where the pavilion is used for the first time, and receive a curious young businessman styling himself a Knight of the Holy Grail. The contrast between his openness and Dr. Bree’s tiresome self-importance leaves them amused and irritated in equal measure.

Content

Sunday, August 10:

R. finishes his letter to the King.

Family lunch, as now every day since our holidays. Then to the new house, where we put the pavilion to its first use.

A young businessman from St. Gallen, with cork factories in Catalonia, introduces himself to us as a Knight of the Holy Grail that is what a branch society in Munich is calling itself. He pleases us with his natural manner and openness, whereas the good Dr. Br^e, who turns out to be a Jew, proves tiresome with his self-conscious emotionalism and lack of humor.