Saturday, September 2:
R. had a good night, and the day is really fine. Unfortunately R. has a chest spasm after having committed an error of diet. He is worried about the King, whose lack of participation in the performances is very painful to him. We take a drive with the children in the direction of the theater, via the road to the Eremitage. The packing of the restaurant equipment and Herr Albert’s complaints leave a sad impression. But it is always a joy to see the dogs again.
In the evening R. bursts out in bitter complaint about Bayreuth, saying that nobody has followed him and settled down here, and that the town itself has shown him not the slightest understanding. With the exception of a few friends, everyone has remained aloof; we had made an effort with all classes of society, he had joined the historic Thursday gathering, but nowhere had he gained an influence, and at his performances it stabbed him to the heart to see the army officers lounging around, the Bayr. citizens looking on as if it were all just a spectacle — to none of them did it ever occur to buy a seat. (Departures: Malw., Mimi.)