Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of May 23, 1881

Overview

The morning opens with the children's gleeful inventory of their father's twelve birthday surprises, a charming tally that sends both Richard and Cosima into laughter. His mood sours only at the forced farewell to a guest he dislikes, but after a late lunch he calls for the plays again, and the children's spirited reprise in the salon restores the festive spirit before the Ritters take their leave.

Content

Monday, May 23:

The children’s giggling draws me into their room. “Yesterday Papa had 12 surprises: (1) the Flower Greeting, (2) the coats of arms, (3) the military band, (4) the toast, (5) the song, (6) Faf, (7) Lope, (8) the epilogue, (9) the Prelude, (10) the ‘Gruss,’ (11) the ‘Kaisermarsch,’ (12) U.-August (Gustav Schonaich).”

I report this merry notion to R., and it makes us laugh heartily. But he again flies into a rage when he is obliged to say goodbye to this man whom he detests. Lunch at 4, the children eat with the Ritters in the Sonne, R. is rather tired.

But in the evening he calls for the plays, and the children act them out for us in the salon, very gaily and well. Departure of the good Ritters.