Sunday, November 20:
A friend of Richter’s writes that after the battle at Sedan the military band played the prayer from Lohengrin as the King of Prussia appeared! Also that the King of Bavaria is having an affair with a Frl. Scheffsky (a singer). R. does not really believe it. A Danish scene-painter writes to R. and pays tribute to him as a composer, poet, and all-round man of the theater. I write to my mother and to Schuré.
Fidi always at my side, like a polar bear in his fluffy coat. Melancholy thoughts about life; to do one’s work, that is what matters. I read in the newspaper that Hans is conducting concerts in Florence.
In the evening R. looks through the Kladderadatsch calendar, which leads to a discussion of Berlin humor.
(Letter from M. Meysenbug.)