Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of October 5, 1871

Overview

The children return, but Boni's boisterous behavior in a mourning household plunges Cosima into sadness that only Wagner can fully hear. Time with the nephews deepens their closeness, and the couple pauses over a half-torpid red admiral butterfly. An evening circus outing delights the children and makes Wagner reflect on clowns, musicians' origins, and the strange mixture of noise, gaiety, and bodily comedy.

Content

Thursday, October 5:

The children back; sad at hearing that Boni had been exceptionally boisterous there and, in spite of the fact that everyone was in mourning, had allowed herself to be tempted into downright wild jubilation. Spent a lot of time with our nephews, who are becoming increasingly close to us. Through Boni I am plunged into deep melancholy, which I can talk about only to R., to whom I confide everything.

In the margin: “With R. prolonged contemplation of a comatose butterfly on a tree; a wonderful red admiral.”

In the evening to the circus with the children and both nephews. R. remarks that the clown is the human being as an animal; he has no sense of honor at all, is sensitive only to physical pain. Contemplating the orchestra, which plays not at all badly, he says, “One mustn’t forget it is from there that musicians come!” Though the noise affects him very much, he is extraordinarily gay, delighted with the children’s joy.