Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of September 17, 1880

Overview

She toured the cathedral with her father while R. stayed behind at his line ruling, and the outing sharpened her sense of how youthful and lively he still was beside her more impassive father. Their shared life felt cheerful and resilient, sustained by R.'s wit, though he was mildly frustrated that conversation kept circling back to people rather than larger matters.

Content

Friday, September 17:

We drive, without R., who is ruling lines, with my father to view the cathedral, and here I become aware how different R. is, how youthfully energetic he has remained. My father is all but unmoved.

But our life together is happy and gay; R.'s wit helps overcome all difficulties. He calls himself Werther, Jouk., Brackenburg, and says my father is Albert and Egmont combined. But he is somewhat vexed that our conversation never seems to go beyond personalities.