Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of October 5, 1875

Overview

She writes to Mimi, while R. sends cordial letters to Niemann and to nephew Clemens, who has just become a father, even as Fritz's silence is gently noted. Despite the friendly correspondence, R. confesses to feeling torn between grief, worry, irritation, and a stirring of resolve. An installment of Orbis Pictus deepens his revulsion at nature's cruelty, strengthening his turn toward the Redeemer and his impatience with Goethe's imaginative consolations.

Content

Tuesday, October 5:

I write to Mimi and inquire. R. writes a very friendly letter to Herr Niemann, also to his nephew Clemens, who has announced the birth of a son, touching in a good-humored way on Fritz's silence.

In the evening he observes, 'I am a mixture of grief, worry, annoyance, and budding resolution.' An installment of the Orbis Pictus brings home to him once more the cruelty of Nature, the eternal devouring. How is one supposed to find solace in looking at such things, only by following the Redeemer, turn away, curb the will. Utter bitterness toward Goethe's 'fancies'.