Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of July 29, 1871

Overview

Cosima begins translating Wagner's essays while maintaining lessons with the children, as Wagner works despite poor health. Leipzig's Wagner Society reaches out, and an old friend, Praeger, arrives unexpectedly but proves difficult to engage in conversation. Wagner's temper is also stirred by news of clerical authority in Munich and its use of Latin papal extracts against Germans.

Content

Saturday, July 29:

I begin translating R.’s articles, alternating between that and lessons with the children. R. works, but he is still not well; I think the climate here does not agree with him. The Wagner Society in Leipzig has also been in touch.

In the afternoon, as I am working at my translation on the terrace, a stranger arrives, and I soon recognize in him R.’s old friend Praeger, whom we welcome heartily, but with whom we do not find very much to talk about.

R. was annoyed today to read that the Bishop of Munich had reprimanded someone with extracts in Latin from the papal bulls: “When I think that a German has to put up with that, I could explode with rage!” Fidi visits Countess Bassenheim.