Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of October 24, 1877

Overview

The day is marked by fatigue, dull weather, and R.’s continued ill health, which briefly unsettles the household during an afternoon drive. He soon returns to work at the desk, while the evening reading turns reflective and critical, with concern also lingering over Fidi’s social surroundings.

Content

Wednesday, October 24:

R. had a bad night. I come upon him reading Darwin. . . . Work in the house; in the afternoon I go for a drive with R., but the weather is dull, and he does not feel well. I recall one of my last drives with Daniel in Berlin at the end of October.

Back home, I am soon summoned by R., who does not feel well and wants me near him. “I only hope it is not heart trouble,” he says. We walk up and down in the salon; the foliage on the trees is faded, the sun sinks palely to rest, my heart is heavy, but I leave R. with spirits restored. He settles down to work by lamplight. “In ink!” I give a lesson.

In the evening R. reads to us from Pfaffe Lamprecht’s Alexander, very little poetry in it, and little art. How much superior the heroic sagas, because in them the poets knew what they were doing! Concern about Fidi: the longed-for company with other boys has turned out thoroughly vulgar!