Well, my poor good Mutz!
How are you doing in your exile? You can imagine how eager I am to get some news about your state of health and the beginning of the cure. As long as I don't know anything about you I can't tell you more, but only call out to you: Patience and again patience! It's a nasty thing, I know, to leave at one time house, dog, and husband—but all will be budding and blossoming again in the spring. There is no help! Better a great sacrifice than a growing torment! So—endure it! Be brave and resigned! And announce to me each of your treatments in detail; they interest me in every regard.
Yesterday I was at Herwegh's and found his wife in very good health, full of hope and confidence. So not only the state of health but the state of finance seems to have improved. Herwegh promised to see me today; maybe I will go to the Wesendoncks with him. There I also learned that Rahn has gone out again, but he didn't come to us. Today I have just written him such a mightily long letter that you will have to be content with these few lines, especially since Friedrich presses me to let him go. I think Rahn will be reasonable; I wrote him in a very friendly way.
Yesterday I arrived as late as half past eleven. I had expected it so. Fips has gobbled his food in Bremgarten, and that is my latest bit of gossip. For the rest, he is reasonable, a bit dazed, but composed. He didn't disdain dainties, and today when I rose from dinner he promptly jumped upon the chair to lick the plate. I too miss Jacquot. The lower floor seems dismal to me, but at least I'm thinking of you. You're never out of my head. May God grant that we have taken the right course. Keep up your confidence! But if you should lose it, don't conceal it from me. Then we must find out what is best to do. I remain hopeful!
So, keep being fond of me! Put troubles out of your head! Be calm, reasonable, and above all: have patience! All is well with the house; Friedrich is very ambitious in the garden; everything will turn out beautifully.
So: Send good news. Goodbye, good old Frau Minna! Warmest sympathy and greetings from your
Richard!
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner: The Burrell Collection, ed. John N. Burk (Macmillan, 1950), No. 176