Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of July 1, 1871

Overview

A fine day allows Richard to work while Cosima teaches the children and reads Hartmann's Roschen with mixed judgment. Count B.'s report of a crime against a child leads Richard to demand death for such an offender. Thunderous weather, a bad night, and many small irritations leave Richard unwell and in a difficult mood.

Content

Saturday, July 1:

A fine day; R. at work, I with the children. Then I read Herr Hartmann’s Röschen, which shows much talent but even more clumsiness. Visit from Count B., who tells us about a crime committed by a man in Lucerne against a child. R. says the punishment should be death; a person like that should be crushed like an insect.

R. is unwell in the afternoon and in a rather bad mood, with a lot of little irritations which upset him, since he had a very bad night, and there is thunder in the air, which keeps bursting out.