Sunday, September 12:
Letter from Claire, with it letter from Düfflipp, nothing really but the same old refrain: the King should not be dragged into it, etc., etc. Richard writes, making another proposal: Eberle as conductor and singers, etc., etc. Meanwhile, together with Richter, I draft a factual account of the situation. I am interrupted by Marie Muchanoff and Countess Bassenheim. Lively conversation, but no pleasure in it. R. is ill.
Family lunch, rather quiet. With regard to the French, R. says jokingly, "We shall have to do it like Bernhard von Weimar: promote the German cause with French financial help." After lunch the A.A.Z., with a shameful article about our affairs and ourselves personally. The poor wretches! But it is so sad that R. has been utterly deprived both of his beautiful peace and his spirits, and that his health is badly affected. Much discussion of our sad dilemma. Really, how wretched these people are!
Saying good night to the children, a lot of fun; they play "dreams," and Boni is especially comical. When shall we return to our Tribschen peace?