Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of November 14, 1871

Overview

Wagner responds sharply to Constantin Frantz's view of Bismarck and develops a caustic contrast between German awkwardness in adversity and elegance in success. His ill health limits work, while Cosima tends the children, manages Loulou's renewed illness, shops for Christmas, and visits Countess Bassenheim. Freytag and Plato shape the evening's political and philosophical talk, with Wagner admiring the German people and condemning their princes.

Content

Tuesday, November 14:

R. says, regarding Constantin Frantz's book, "When he says of Bismarck that this is how Germany looks from Pomerania, Bismarck could reply that he now also knows what Germany looks like from the Ritterstrasse." "Germans are like that--when things are going badly, they are envious and awkward; but when they are doing well, they become Jews, elegant and indifferent!"

R. is unfortunately not well and cannot do much work. I with the children; Lulu also unwell again. I go to do some Christmas shopping, and also visit Countess B. In the evening read Plato's Republic to R. with much enjoyment. Before that R. read from Freytag's book about the times of the wars of liberation, always delighting in the German people and being shocked by the wickedness of the German princes.