Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of May 19, 1871

Overview

The long-awaited birthday poem arrives and the children begin learning it in the garden. Letters and visits are mixed with irritation at fairground war images painted from the French perspective. Evening research into Frederick's account of Torgau offends them by confirming his harsh judgment of Ziethen.

Content

Friday, May 19:

The poem at last arrives; the children learn it in the garden. R. writes to Frau von Schleinitz. Emil Heckel from Mannheim writes introducing himself, after having read the green pamphlet.

In the afternoon to Countess B.’s, R. also. Walking through the fairground, we are annoyed to see that in the paintings on the stalls the war is depicted from the French viewpoint, MacMahon theatrically urging on his troops.

In the evening searched in Frederick the Great’s account of the battle of Torgau to see whether he really speaks so badly of Ziethen, and yes, he does, which offends us.