Friday, December 19:
R. had a tolerable night; I, on the other hand, tormented by many things, imagine what would happen if I became seriously ill and died, and make my arrangements. R. cannot yet work, much as he would like to; he feels "stupid." The news from Italy is shocking - God knows what will come of it! R. talks of America, his intention of going there after all to make his fortune. Friend W. comes over; much about the Jews: "They can starve Germany to death," says R. But he feels that Bismarck has something in mind; Puttkamer's speaking out against the nondenominational schools and several other things suggests regret for what has happened, though nothing will ever be said openly, and since he (R.) now knows that the peasants and their fields are in the hands of the speculators, he has lost all hope. And now, since the grain is being taxed, the army is said to be receiving extra pay!...
When I came downstairs around lunchtime, R. was playing the second act of Rienzi, and when he comes to the part just before Rienzi sings and proclaims the freedom of Rome, he says, "These are just empty passages one puts in when one has no ideas - something one has learned how to do from the classics." In the evening whist with the two eldest girls.