Wednesday, February 19:
R. was up during the night from 3 to 4 o’clock, but otherwise he is feeling well; he slept peacefully before and after, and our morning conversation covered all sorts of subjects — the aristocracy, who have lost everything except their vanity, the German language, and many other things. Yesterday, when the filling in of the spring in Teplitz was mentioned, R. said, “For Teplitz that is as much of a loss as if Schnappauf were to leave Bayreuth!” He works and is in cheerful spirits; he also goes for a short walk; in the evening whist with bids again, and after it champagne! ... (News of the success of the Tang everywhere; R. says, “Who would have thought such a thing 20 years ago, or considered it possible?”) When I tell R. that I happened to glance through the Theologia Germanica and am truly amazed that Schopenhauer discerned its deep metaphysical basis through its language of naive faith, he says, “Yes, it was Schopenhauer who revealed Christianity to me.” (Much enjoyment from the children who are developing a strange talent for mimicry.)