Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of September 7, 1871

Overview

Cold punch leaves Wagner unwell, though he continues to work, and family life centers on Fidi's growing presence. An outing with the children and Ollivier's defense of France's wartime conduct bring public affairs into the domestic day. Wagner interprets Cosima's religion through wounded feminine dignity, while she quietly worries over his hearing and his habit of leaving the window open at night.

Content

Thursday, September 7:

The cold punch did not agree with R.; he is unwell, but he works all the same. Family lunch with Fidi, who as a man is already demonstrating his superiority over his sisters.

Drive after lunch with the children. E. Ollivier has sent us his defense; he shows that it was France and not the government which wanted war. In the evening Carlyle and iced coffee.

When I went to R. as he was working he said to me, “I was just thinking about you and your religion; your feminine dignity was offended, and so you took refuge in religion!” I am alarmed by the fact that R. leaves his window open during the night. I ask him to shut it, but do not dare tell him this is on account of his hearing. He does not shut it.