Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of August 10, 1871

Overview

The day begins under the shadow of disturbing dreams, then steadies when Fidi becomes affectionate again. Translation work continues around a family lunch with Praeger, and Wagner reads Walther und Hildgunde aloud in the evening. Letters bring both ordinary correspondence and Frau Serov's troubling, mysterious appeal, while an Indian legend about grief and death leaves Cosima deeply moved.

Content

Thursday, August 10:

Nightmares and wild dreams of helping to murder V. Hugo. Fidi friendly again. Family lunch with Herr Praeger. Translated morning and afternoon; in the evening R. reads aloud Walther und Hildgunde.

Letter from R. Pohl and from Frau Serov, the latter, whom we hardly know, wants to pay us a visit, and speaks of all sorts of mysterious things: her child has been taken away from her, she has been virtually driven from Russia, etc. Shall I answer her?

Deep and sublime impression from an Indian legend: the mother with her dead child, Buddha, the grains of mustard, the house in which nobody has died.