Sunday, July 3:
R. had a wild and restless night and, after a shower in the morning, a chest spasm which keeps him from taking his waters. At lunch he is still sad about it, and a foolish letter from our friend Heckel, who requests a reply in his own hand, does nothing to improve his spirits. He also has to write to Herr Batz. I am happy when his thoughts revert to his reading (Jacolliot) and the elephants!
A fairly long letter from Jouk., written in various places, also annoys him. He does not like people whom he considers as belonging to him to go away, and when he sees the roses in bloom, he wants to show them to Jouk.
A review of other friends leads us to declare that many of these relationships were dependent on time and place, and were indeed of merely local significance - a remark that horrifies our poor friend Levi. But after considering many instances, we have to stick to our view.
The children bring reports of glowworms; we hasten to the palace gardens and are rewarded with a wonderful display of A Midsummer Night's Dream magic. Great delight in it! Unfortunately, the memory of Heckel's letter brings back all the wretchedness, and mention of the musicians who have persecuted my father in the past produces a veritable explosion from me. But we nevertheless bring the evening to a pleasant conclusion by reading the chapter about the Persian theater (Gobineau).