Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of May 17, 1871

Overview

Rainy quiet follows the journey home, interrupted by Judith Mendes's account of her husband's escape from a Commune death sentence. Cosima returns to lessons and birthday costume preparations for Richard. Count B. welcomes them back, and the evening's wartime sermons prove slight enough that sleep becomes the greater need.

Content

Wednesday, May 17:

A rainy day; letter from Judith Mendes. They are in Orleans. Her husband was condemned to death by the Commune, concealed, and escaped!

Once again working with the children; later tried on the costumes they are to wear on R.’s birthday. Visit from our good Count B., welcoming us home. In the evening we read Clemens’s wartime sermons; they are not of much significance. Early to bed, for we have much sleep to make up.