Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of August 20, 1881

Overview

Despite a chest spasm and general fatigue, Richard finds the resolve to work and begins drafting a poem for the King's upcoming anniversary. By evening the sky has cleared enough for a walk through the meadows, followed by a visit from friend Feustel to discuss the business relationship with Dr. Strecker. A newspaper article on socialist movements in twelfth-century China prompts Richard to observe that the West is behind the East in nearly everything, beginning with the conceit that history started with itself.

Content

Saturday, August 20:

R. has a chest spasm and feels run down, but he works and begins a poem to the King for the 25th. The sky clears toward evening, and we take a walk through the meadows.

In the evening friend Feustel comes; there is discussion of the relationship with Dr. Strecker. Friend Feustel thinks that R. might get his way. A newspaper article about socialist movements in China in the 12th century produces from R. the remark that we are behind the Orientals in everything, starting with our imagining that the world began with us.