Tuesday, October 24:
Letter from Clemens with enclosures from Herr Feustel and Herr Kolb in Bayreuth, which testify to the excellent sentiments of the people there. The disclosures of Benedetti, together with the reply of the Reichsanzeiger, bring me much enjoyment.
R. works, says at lunch he has had an inspiration: Siegfried will blow on his horn at the wedding. Loulou is unwell; I read to her the first two acts of Siegfried. Before that I drive into town with all four and hear that Marie Muchanoff is to arrive tomorrow. Letter from Baron Loen; he now has about 25,000 thalers and has no doubts about success.
I write to Hedwig Neumann asking for assurances concerning Kathchen. Still reading Carlyle, during which R. remarks how immeasurable Frederick’s influence was; without him no literature would have existed, he breathed courage and boldness everywhere. Without him one would have tended to follow his own literary tastes, imitation of the French; one would not have dared to be original.