Monday, December 27:
R. slept well. I occupy myself arranging the nice, dear things I was given, and delight in my little room, whose every corner arouses pleasant feelings. R. receives a nice letter from the King, who is sending him a Renaissance cabinet and a bronze model of his new castle near Hohenschwangau.
But we have very bad weather for our afternoon walk. R. once again feels his chest pains, and lunch — for which he also retained friend Wolzogen — puts him in a bad mood. His afternoon rest restores him, and in the evening a magician delights him and us and a multitude of children in the hall. His skill is really remarkable, and R. gives him his picture, under which he writes, "Herr Mennier can do more than I."
Some Batz affairs disturb him, but he is pleasantly stimulated by a telegram from Herr Neumann, announcing further ventures with the Ring in America, London, and St. Petersburg (enclosed: a telegram from Angelo Neumann requesting exclusive rights to stage the Ring for three years against a royalty of ten percent of gross receipts). Since the director asks for an immediate answer, R. replies something like this: "Somewhat tempestuous; confident that your intentions are upright, I give my consent."
It would certainly be a good thing if the Ring itself were to bring R.'s finances back in order.