Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of May 19, 1881

Overview

The day is colored by lingering amusement at the Count's stories of French military incompetence from the Franco-Prussian War, with Richard laughing again at an anecdote he had heard the night before. Over lunch the Count's accounts of Persian philosophy captivate the company, and the evening ends with his vivid descriptions of Athens sparking such enthusiasm that he promises to write ahead to arrange accommodation for a winter visit.

Content

Thursday, May 19:

[Written at the top of the page: “The diary resumed on June 7.”]

R. had a good night. Yesterday, before the discussion about the English, the topic of conversation was the Franco-Prussian War; the Count relates the most curious anecdotes about the stupidity of the French, including a general who, when asked for the third time the name, says, “Mais c’est une mauvaise plaisanterie.” R. comes back to that today and again laughs heartily.

At lunch the Count tells us some things about Persia which show us how philosophically inclined this nation is. R. jokes, saying he is going to his sorte de race mélanésienne.

In the evening the Count’s descriptions of Athens arouse in us such an urge to go there that the Count has to promise to write to friends there about accommodation for the winter.