Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of July 6, 1881

Overview

Cosima shares a curious dream with Richard in which Jouk.'s departure and Loldi's illness were intertwined, prompting Richard's evocative observation that Jouk. resembles "a living departure." The day brightens with the arrival of Countess Schleinitz, who is warm and agreeable and spends the day with them. The evening ends with Richard reading aloud the first act of Calderón's *El médico de su honra* at Cosima's request, hoping to introduce their guest to the playwright.

Content

Wednesday, July 6:

I tell R. in the palace pavilion that I dreamed Jouk. took his departure, Loldi ill at the same time, whereupon R.: “He seems to me like a living departure,” an expression I find curious.

R. works. I go to meet our friend Countess Schleinitz, who is charming and amiable and spends the day with us. We go for a walk in the palace gardens, and to end with, R., at my request, reads to us the first act of El médico de su honra, since Mimi told me that up till now she has been unable to take an interest in Calderón.