Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of July 26, 1870

Overview

Relief comes when no battle has yet occurred and the Duke of Nassau's refusal of Napoleon's offer is celebrated as a sign of loyalty to Prussia. Domestic life briefly steadies as Cosima works with the children, Eva recovers, and the translation advances. The arrival of French visitors prompts Wagner to explain the German character and the difficulty of socializing with them during the crisis, while troubling reports of French readiness renew Cosima's alarm.

Content

Tuesday, July 26:

No fighting has taken place. Great delight among us over the behavior of the Duke of Nassau; Napoleon had promised to return his dukedom to him, he sends his compliments and elects to serve with Prussia in the war. Worked with the children, Eva well again, made progress with the translation.

When our French visitors arrive, there comes from R. a long speech on the German character and how difficult it is for us at this moment to consort with French people. I am much alarmed by the news that 50,000 Frenchmen are stationed in St. Louis, and altogether by the fact that the French are said to be ready and the Germans not. R. works on his Beethoven. (I write to my mother.)