My dear Friend Hans:
To avoid falling again into the system by which we have continued to love each other, but meanwhile haven't heard from or seen each other for eight long years, I am starting now to defy the distance and to renew our friendly intercourse. If we always report in brief what we have to say, we shall always find time for what is to be told.
This time, I have only to express to you my greatest and most enduring joy about our last visit together: rest assured that your deeply valued friendship, so warmly evident in all that you did, made me and my wife genuinely happy. We are thinking with true and deep emotion of our visit to Prague. And since we have resumed, so let us continue; isn't that right, dear old Hans?
I am now waiting to hear whether you are gradually getting used to the routine of your new vocation, what your mood is, and how your prospects in certain matters are developing.
I am still living in great external discomfort, and it will be a month before our household arrangements are in order; until then, work is not to be thought of. But when we are in order, will you come to us? Herr von Walkersdorf has just been with me, and says he has supplied you with an opera text by Dr. Strauss. Do you like it? I have not yet got around to writing to the poet of this opera text, offered to me and destined for Meyerbeer. Shall I do this in your behalf, or is it no longer necessary?
The Viennese have now definitely ordered a grand opera from me for 1844–45; I am busy working out my conditions and the outline of a subject. Now you know in brief what has happened, and when the moment comes you may answer me just as briefly.
Give my wife's best regards and mine to Herr Hoffmann and Berra; our cordial thanks for their offered friendliness! And you, my old friend, goodbye! Stay well and cheerful! That is of the greatest importance. Also remain fond of me! Adieu! Many hearty greetings from my wife.
Your
Richard Wagner
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner: The Burrell Collection, ed. John N. Burk (Macmillan, 1950), No. 53