Dearest Kietz,
This is my brother Albert, with his daughter Johanna, who now wants to perfect herself in Paris in higher singing. Have you forgiven me for obstructing your higher career as an artist, as you wrote lately? Besides, can you forgive me for not sending you any money just now, for the reason that I can decently hold my own only with the utmost trouble and difficulty, facing the gossip of a city like Dresden, a truth you would hardly believe and which you can believe only if you take my simple assurance of it, and trust that I'm not lying when I tell you that I would often call myself happy if I knew how to raise 20 thaler without stirring up a sensation? So if you can forgive me all this, I beg you sometimes to extend your friendship to my brother and his daughter.
You may learn a good deal of news about me from my brother; I have tried to hide from him or minimize my oppressive worries. Once I am relieved of them, you too will hear all about them and probably you will have to excuse me. Bendemann, Hübner, and Rietschel were delighted about your charge.
Minna sends her hearty greetings.
Farewell, and believe: All is not gold that glitters.
Your
Richard Wagner
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner: The Burrell Collection, ed. John N. Burk (Macmillan, 1950), No. 60