Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of October 15, 1869

Overview

A bad night with Siegfried is followed by Aunt Isa's letter to Loulou, which both saddens Cosima and delights the child. Cosima spends the day largely with the children while the maids go to the theater, and Richard returns with a Beethoven autograph and a touching tribute from an impoverished former Saxon musician. Schure's letter, however, brings distressing news that Siegfried's christening and legal recognition under Richard's name may be nearly impossible.

Content

Friday, October 15:

Wretched night, since Siegfried woke up every two hours. Letter to Loulou from Aunt Isa, which filled me with melancholy, but also pleased me very much, since Loulou is so happy about it. I let her reply to it at once.

With the children almost exclusively, since I am sending the two maids to the theater. In the evening R. brings back from his walk a Beethoven autograph, which young Servais has presented to him, and a touching document from a former musician in Saxony, who now for reasons of penury has become a trimmings embroiderer; on this document, surrounded by ivy and laurels, are inscribed all R.'s works up to Judaism in Music. R. is very touched by this.

Unfortunately a letter from Schure has deeply upset him. There are great difficulties regarding Siegfried's christening and legalization; indeed it is virtually impossible for R. to give him his name. (Botanist.)