Monday, April 26:
R. slept well and begins the day with his walk. Friend Joukowsky, back from Amalfi, comes to resume his painting. R. has difficulties with Leipzig and writes to the director.
In the evening the Liechtensteins; R. embarks on a long discussion with him, at first about certain aspects of etymology and old religious practices and customs in Germany; he points out their sophistication. Then he goes on to global conformations, parallels between the Old World and America.
Late in the evening, when a painful memory pierces me and, to rescue myself, I immerse myself in a prayer, R. asks me what I am reflecting about. “I am praying.” “Prayer is the cessation of desire,” he says.
At lunch he amused our companions with his statement that we (he and I) are pure mercury! Yesterday he spoke about the many dogs, faithful creatures, he had already lost.