Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of November 28, 1870

Overview

The prospect of the largest battle of the war suppresses cheerfulness and turns Cosima's thoughts toward the fate of German soldiers. Wagner is unwell in cold, wet weather, while Cosima still makes her way to Countess Bassenheim's house. Evening Ranke reading on the Saint Bartholomew's Day Massacre leads them to view France as a long history of contending factions.

Content

Monday, November 28:

The largest battle in this war is now imminent. This permits no cheerful thoughts: may the Heavens be with our men! R. is not well, for which the cold, wet weather is to blame. I wade to Countess Bassenheim’s house.

In the evening read in Ranke about the Massacre of Saint Bartholomew. We come to realize that since Catherine de’ Medici there have essentially only been factions in France, each fighting against the others. A letter from Hedwig Schröder in Berlin.