Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of November 4, 1871

Overview

Cosima sends the children to Lucerne for the St. Gotthard railroad celebrations, reading the German flag and Swiss-German connection as a small victory for their cause. Catholic nonparticipation in the illuminations gives the scene a confessional edge. News that the Czech ministry in Vienna has fallen is folded into the same political optimism around Bismarck.

Content

Saturday, November 4:

I send the children into town, where the St. Gotthard railroad is being celebrated with a torchlight procession, etc.; a German flag is waving, but the Catholics are not joining in the illuminations. A connection between Germany and Switzerland is being feted--in short, a little victory for our cause. May God bless it! In Vienna the Czechs have also gone, thanks to Bismarck!