God be praised that I can find a trace of good humor in my wife again! O Minna! Minna, I'll say—I'll say nothing more than this: if a wife keeps so melancholy, a husband has to grow gay in sheer despair! Well, everything indicates that after all the worst is over, as I had been hoping. It's fine that the wet pack is doing you good. If you get out of hand again, I'll always order the same treatment. I believe you will suddenly get much better. It is this way with nervous troubles; and when you are once calm again, you gain everything you missed!
I won't relate much to you today by letter; besides, I have damned little to tell you: I live the still and lonely life of an abandoned cat, and this I find basically desirable; I know how to manage for myself, and rest is a fine thing.
I don't want to make your heart heavy about the garden, but it gives great pleasure and in this splendid weather it's a real glory. Well, that has been a sacrifice you had to make this year—better this than your health!
Well, on Sunday afternoon at five o'clock I'll be in Wildegg if the timetable is not wrong, and I expect you to be there with a fine coach; I may bring along a man (Müller or Herwegh); but perhaps you will have to be content with Fips and me only. Then we will see how red your cheeks are. Today a letter for you from Russia arrived in "Zierig." I'll bring it along and I hope you have enough patience, or shall I send it now? As for your worthy commissions, I will see to them in the most interesting way: it's too bad that you didn't demand a dream book too! Frau Herwegh—so far as I know—is still hopeful; perhaps she is going to give it up finally. The day before yesterday I was at the Willes' again. They and the Heims give you their best regards—what more do you want? Now keep going, and finally—whether you want to or not—you will be reasonable. Best regards to the doctor: he may wrap you up well and leave you wrapped until you promise to drop all your whims.
Once more, God bless and protect you and very soon restore to me a healthy, merry wife of whom I can make good use.
Goodbye—a speedy and delightful reunion.
Your devoted
Husband
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner: The Burrell Collection, ed. John N. Burk (Macmillan, 1950), No. 177