Monday, January 31:
Work with the children and dictation. R. has a conference in the afternoon, from which he returns very depressed. To contemplate going on with the performances looks like foolhardiness! Only 488 patrons so far! And the expenditure is mounting, the press is closed to us even for announcements.
In Paris, it appears, Le Figaro has published a libelous article about R. A Herr Ullmann begs R. to reply to it, if only for the sake of Lohengrin, which is to be performed in Paris. R. answers that he reads no newspapers, and the task of replying belongs to those who honor the press with their attention. In America Hans also seems to be exposed to this vile blot on our public life.