Saturday, November 1:
Today the sun is shining, and yesterday the poor patrons had to view the theater in the worst weather! We shall have to get used to these edicts of Fate.
Today there is another meeting of delegates, and they adopt a proposal by Dr. Stern for a simple appeal for subscriptions. Lunch with Prof. N., friend Heckel, and Malwida, very nice and cheerful.
In the afternoon we go to the theater, which looks splendid. In the evening, the same company, plus Dr. Stern; R. in very gay mood. Then, in all seriousness, he talks about the German language, its arrested development, the great intellects searching around for foreign models: “Is it still possible now to return to the source, to think again about the wealth of inflections, etc.?”
Friend Nietzsche tells us all sorts of dismal things about the position of the excellent Fritzsch, his health, and the state of his business. Our friend also relates how he is being tormented in connection with the International. A Frau Nilsson, a friend of Mazzini’s, announced herself to him as a servant of the cult of Dionysus; she wants to advance Fritzsch money and, if possible, also to take over his business. Our friend, greatly agitated by these curious happenings, showed the importunate woman the door; she threatened him, etc.
Our Prof. Rohde in Kiel has been advised that he will never become a full professor. Curious situation.