Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of September 20, 1873

Overview

R. can orchestrate again and receives an encouraging letter from a patron in response to the circular. She has another sitting, and in the evening they read Uhland and saga material, but the day also brings tension over how to discipline the children. She has tin mugs made as a punishment for carelessness, yet R. refuses to support it, and she yields while feeling inwardly sad. A long-absent letter from Nietzsche arrives, though his eye trouble remains unresolved, and political attention shifts to the King of Italy’s visit to Berlin and the Catholic press’s attacks on the new Reich.

Content

Saturday, September 20:

R. is able to orchestrate again; he receives a very nice letter from a patron in reply to the circular (Herr Max Pauer of Schloss Gutenhaag in Styria). I again have a sitting.

In the evening read Uhland and then Saga. A difference with R. with regard to the children; in view of their great carelessness I have had tin mugs made for them to drink from; R. will not tolerate the punishment; I give way, but am inwardly sad about it.

Letter to R. from Prof. Nietzsche, after a long silence; but his eye trouble is not yet cured. Visit of the King of Italy to Berlin, on which certain hopes are set; it is said to have been brought about by Bismarck, who is unfortunately unwell. The Catholic party press is conducting a veritable campaign against the new Reich.