Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of September 5, 1873

Overview

R. worked during the day while the household dealt with practical annoyances, including the question of what flags should be mounted on the roof for the theater. A disappointing letter from Hamburg reported fewer paid certificates than expected, complicating their plans. In the evening they received friends again, and R. spoke at length about Romans versus Germans and the differences between the two peoples. The day had a generally unsettled, businesslike tone.

Content

Friday, September 5:

R. works; at lunch we have friends Schure and Malwida, and after lunch we visit the theater. The question of the flags is already being raised, because the poles which are to be set up on the roof have to be painted. Just German flags, or those of all the patrons, Turkey, Russia, etc.? R. wants to consider it.

An unpleasant disappointment from Hamburg: instead of the 20 certificates we regarded as certain, Herr Zacharias has paid for ten, though we had assumed that these were in addition to the 20 certain ones!

In the evening our friends are with us again. R. talks a lot about the Romans, their difference from the Germans, etc., etc.