Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of January 26, 1877

Overview

A snowfall brightens an otherwise bleak day, and the children donate their savings for the suffering weavers of Hof, a gesture that deeply moves the narrator and Richard. The evening is spent returning to Thucydides, especially a speech that captures their imagination.

Content

Friday, January 26:

A snowfall, so there is some light from below at least. The children give their savings (140 marks) for the poor weavers of Hof, whose need defies all description. “And it is for this we have a state!” says R. It is disgraceful; I can hardly think about anything else.

In the evening I took up Thucydides again, entranced by Diodorus’s speech against Cleon.