O Kietz,
I am sorry for you, for I am badly off; I cannot help you now. For a sensible man of your experience that should be enough. But if you want more, know hereby that my last Paris extravagances have had this aftermath for me, that with the exception of yourself I have already looted all my friends, if only to be able to get along until fall; then and only then may I hope to recover somewhat through new returns from the theater. I have tried many ways to get larger advances on these expected returns. Relying on this hope, I promised Lindemann 100 frs. in May. Nothing worked out. I am and remain extremely hard pressed.
It made a very sad impression on us that on your return from Turkey you had absolutely nothing to tell us from Rome except complaints, misery, and distress: not the slightest word about your impressions, which would have made us glad for your sake. Therefore you still owe us the account of your trip to the Orient.
The Wesendoncks send their greetings to you: the order for copying the Raphael still stands; they do not withdraw it. If you came to Zürich, they would like to have their portraits painted by you. There might be some further orders. You must write to them some time. Within a few days they are going to the summer resort of Schwalbach: by the middle of July they plan to be back again. If you want to come, my house, kitchen, and cellar are open to you whenever and as long as you like. I have a small room with a north light which at present is occupied by Natalie, who, however, could be put up somewhere else.
I keep up my spirits merely by intensive work. My Rhinegold has been completely finished in these last few days. This work has had a good influence on my health: personally, I really feel pretty much as I should like to, even though there is not a day without bad hours. I often take some of Lindemann's powders. Give my best regards to the good one: how sorry I should be for him for being such a wretched composer!
Minna is supposed to take a drinking cure of whey on a mountain near Lake Lucerne. Lindemann will probably not object, as these cures are said to have an excellent effect on digestive troubles. She is always ailing a little: but less since she no longer follows the medical prescriptions for the imaginary gout.
Unfortunately Liszt too is very badly off at present: some time ago I had hoped to get some help from him.
Now write me soon whether we may expect you? Don't forget the Wesendoncks either! Otherwise there is nothing more that is new about myself. Avenarius was here for a few days recently: he asked me to send you his greetings.
Farewell, and if possible give me a treat with some good news.
Kindest regards from Minna and also to Lindemann!
Adieu!
Your
R. W.
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner: The Burrell Collection, ed. John N. Burk (Macmillan, 1950), No. 137