Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of August 25, 1880

Overview

R. did not sleep well, likely from the previous evening’s food, yet he was delighted by the small gift I had found for him. The day was filled with household settling and his corrections to an article, but at lunch we toasted the King, ourselves, and Burkel in sparkling local wine and spent happy hours on the terrace. A walk through the vineyards ended with him feeling unwell and perhaps chilled, which left me anxious and him irritated.

Content

Wednesday, August 25:

Most unfortunately, R.'s night was not a good one, probably the food somewhat indigestible. But he is utterly delighted with my little present. For me the day passes in household arrangements, but he makes corrections in the copy of his article. At lunch we drink to the King in a sparkling local wine, also to ourselves and to Bürkel, and are in merry mood.

Several hours on the terrace; R. keeps saying, "This is Italy, in contrast to Africa." When we are talking of the curiously passionate quality of our house moving, R. says, "In people of our sort excess is aimed solely at procuring a pleasant tranquillity, so that the spirit can roam free." We go for a walk in the vineyards, but R. feels slightly unwell; in the evening it looks as if he has caught a cold, and I am as full of concern as he is of vexation.