Friday, December 31:
New Year’s Eve begins for R. with a letter from Herr Fürstner’s lawyer, whose insolence transcends everything. Herr Fürstner should receive 1% on Tannhäuser, not only with the new scenes, but also without them! R. starts legal proceedings, alleging deliberate fraud. I, for my part, receive from Käthchen König a letter full of insults and threats. At any rate, I am grateful that the New Year is not beginning like this!
When I reflect how we overwhelmed these people with acts of kindness, and that now this is our reward, I am shocked by the consequences of immoderation, even in a good sense. Deep resolve to be and remain good, in spite of all past experiences!
R. feels he could bear it all patiently and calmly if he did not have to work creatively at the same time, thoughts of giving up the whole undertaking, revealing all the factors which led to that result!
On this last day of the year we are not exactly cheerful; but in the evening, around the lighted Christmas tree, the mood becomes merrier, fortunes are told with lead: for Fidi, helmet and shield; for Isolde, a bird’s nest, an idyll; for Boni, a young man; for Lulu, a dragon; for Eva, the goddess Fortuna! After that, shoe throwing. We go to bed intending to enter the New Year sleeping, but it finds me still awake! From the bottom of my heart I wish peace to the evil, fulfillment to the good. I have no bad feelings for anybody, certainly not even for those who wish me and us evil. A great longing for peace! Resolution to fulfill all my duties!