Friday, July 8:
Rumors of war, because of a Prussian prince’s ascending the Spanish throne; the French as always ridiculously excited by something happening without their consent. Loulou unwell, our Pilatus outing again in jeopardy; big thunderstorm, R. plays the A Major Symphony with Richter and says, “From time to time one must perform these wonderful things in order to recognize ever more clearly the power of a will which so confidently expresses what everyone understands but none can define.”
In the evening Richter brings the student along to join in the discussion of the outing, and, since the latter stupidly gives himself airs about the celebration of the Battle of Sempach, R. gets very angry and tells him how pitiful such affectations look in a thoroughly demoralized nation which can do nothing but fleece foreigners and give a free hand to the Jesuits. Afterward R. much regrets his vehemence.