Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of April 17, 1877

Overview

The child’s first school routines begin with exercises, introductions, and social calls, all under rough weather and subdued circumstances. She accepts the separation calmly, while the evening conversation turns to the weakening political position of Bismarck and the shortage of capable people in Berlin.

Content

Tuesday, April 17:

First gymnastic exercises for Loldchen, then I introduced her to the head of the school, then paid calls with her.

Rough weather. The little girl accepts her lot uncomplainingly; a very nice parson's daughter and another child help her to do this.

I spend the evening with the Gerstenbergs. Conversation about Bismarck's position: he has been abandoned by all his friends, offended by the Court, supported in the Chamber by only the slenderest of majorities. The lack of efficient men in Berlin is said to be very noticeable. The minister Hofmann is just a bureaucrat.