Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of February 27, 1871

Overview

Poor sleep, rumors about Metz, and Fidi's worsening condition unsettle the household. Richard works intensely on his letter to the King, calling it a work of art, while their conversation returns to the mixture of admirable and incomprehensible traits in Ludwig. Countess B. brings word of peace preliminaries, but the domestic anxiety over Fidi remains central.

Content

Monday, February 27:

The night not particularly good for any of us. R. says, "When one goes to bed it is as if one abandons oneself to subterranean forces, to mysterious demon voices which lie in wait."

There are rumors that Metz is only to be razed, very unwelcome to R. "All these upsets, just to raze Metz!"

R. works on his letter and tells me I would find it astonishing; it is truly a work of art. We talk again about the King, and R. says, half in fun and half in earnest, "People's good qualities are beyond comprehension, but their bad qualities are incomprehensible!"

Visit from Countess B., with news that the peace preliminaries have been signed.

Fidi very unwell.

Letter from Math. Maier.