Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of February 20, 1875

Overview

The journey begins with packing, farewells, and a final wave to the children from the train, followed by the unusual sense of being alone together at last. Freed for a moment from constant anxieties, R. and I feel lighter, travel well through a moonlit cold night, and arrive in Vienna the next morning amid welcomes from Standhartner, the Academic W. Society, and later the Donhoffs. The day closes with cordial social calls, including a brief encounter with Lenbach.

Content

Saturday, February 20:

Packing and saying goodbye, arrangements made. Waved to the children from the train. R. and I, for the first time alone for a long time, which means momentarily relieved of our cares. We feel our spirits rise; can trust, too, that the children are being well looked after. A lot of fun, a lot of sausages, a lot of Marcobrunner — moonlight, a cold but good night.

In Vienna at 10 o’clock on Sunday; Standhartner, the Academic W. Society, 80 young people, and all sorts of others. Taken to Standhartner’s house, cordial welcome. At 2 o’clock Marie Donhoff; in the evening Lenbach for a moment, spent the evening with the Donholfs.