Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of August 23, 1873

Overview

The day was spent quietly in the garden with the children while R. drafted a poem for the King to accompany the ninth volume and sent 50 francs to the church in Lucerne as a memorial gesture. The afternoon brought an irritating visit from the dean, who showed something already seen and found to be bombastic and unpleasant. In the evening they read material on Thor and the Edda, including Schierenberg’s interpretation of raven lore. The entry also notes a long philosophical discussion about Schopenhauer, in which Malwida was already well versed.

Content

Saturday, August 23:

With the children in the garden, during which time R. sketches out his poem for the King, to be sent with the 9th volume; he also sends the church in Lucerne 50 francs in memory of August 25.

In the afternoon in the garden, where the dean brings us what he had already seen, very bombastic and unpleasant.

In the evening read The Myth of Thor with the Edda songs pertaining to it, also the interpretation by Professor Schierenberg (Detmold) of the magic properties of ravens. Before that a long discussion about Schopenhauer’s philosophy, with which Malwida is familiar.