Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of October 31, 1880

Overview

After a tolerable night on the journey, everyone is cheerful in the German sunshine, and R. drinks, jokes, and reminisces about family members who taught him to take life and debt less heavily. We reach Munich in high spirits, welcomed by friends and lodged in an odd but affectionate household on Briennerstrasse.

Content

Sunday, October 31:

We all more or less slept and are merry; glorious sunshine greets us in Germany.

Much drinking; the bottles are called Odysseus's companions. R. recalls his brother-in-law Brockhaus, who once told him that debts were nothing to be ashamed of. Also his sister Rosalie, who, when he did silly things, told him that, having done them, he should not suffer so terribly on their account, but should be more carefree. He also tells us of his delight at being transferred from Magdeburg to Königsberg, a larger town. The air is good in Germany.

We arrive in Munich at 6 o'clock in very good spirits; met by Lenbach and Bürkel, Levi comes along later. Lodging at Jungfer Schmidt's house, Briennerstrasse 8c, strange, but full of feeling!