Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of October 31, 1875

Overview

Returning here after seven years stirs painful memories, especially thoughts of Hans, and the day is steeped in grief and unease. The false account about Lachner in the Orbis Fictus angers the diarist as another example of how lies may harden into history, while the rest of the day is spent between Lenbach, Baron Schack, the children, and the station where an earlier departure had begun seven years before.

Content

Sunday, October 31:

Sorrowful thoughts lacerated me, my first time here in seven years; thoughts of Hans! Recently a picture of Lachner appeared in the Orbis Pictus, and in the biographical note it was stated that his career had been terminated through the intrigues of Wagner and his associates!!! Will such lies one day be taken as history?

At Lenbach’s studio, then to Baron Schack, later showed the children around while R. was receiving Councilor Düfflipp. We have a meal with Lenbach and are at the station at 8 in the evening, the same one from which I departed seven years ago!