Sunday, March 22:
To church with the two elder girls. Before that, talked with R. about Paul de Lagarde’s essay, in which he comes out strongly against Saint Paul. R. says, “I was also against him when I knew nothing about him - that was because of my anti-Mendelssohnism.” I do not believe there would be any Christians without Saint Paul, though I think I understand what P. de Lagarde means when he wishes one to be evangelical rather than Christian.
After church, I gave presents to Boni, whose birthday is being celebrated today. After that, the visit from Dr. Kafferlein, who says the bookseller is offering the letters for 2,000 thalers, which we do not have at present! But there is no other protection against such indiscretions. We consider the question from all angles and finally decide to buy the letters.
Children’s party, with them and R. in the garden of the new house. In the evening the musicians play, as a piano duet, the E-flat Major Quartet which R. and I played so often in Tribschen, with its finale (Allegro commodo), which R. calls the alpenglow. Indescribable beauties! . . .