Saturday, March 18:
R. tells me that last night he danced with me; that is to say, demonstrated something to the children. "Is that a bad omen?" he asks.
We discuss Bayreuth and Berlin. I ask him whether it would not be better if he refrained from giving a lecture and just tried to set up his subscription scheme; I shrink from any personal intervention. R. feels that, though it could do harm, it could also do a great deal of good, and defends his idea. I am apprehensive about it; I wish we could get things done without touching Berlin.
From the King we hear nothing, yet his approval is the most important of all. I am somewhat concerned that with my request for the military music I might have spoiled something, although I cannot imagine what effect it could possibly have.
R. corrects proofs and discovers through the Italian printer in Basel that the compositor is a Hindu. Drive into town to make purchases for Boni's birthday. R. writes to his friend Nuitter about the life insurance for the children. We are now short of money, and I really do not dare discuss this subject with R.
In the evening R. reads us some medieval German from Hahn's grammar, magic spells, then the Hildebrandslied. Great pleasure in the lovely sounds of the language and the lively constructions.