O you wicked Woman!
I shall be really happy when I know that you are resting in Dresden. Really being by oneself is so good and necessary for both of us. I feel it myself in every unnecessary word I have to utter. But how much more in your case! That you'll stay with the Rottdorfs again is really not without significance: it was a good idea on your part. The little house has a friendly and yet lively location, and only pleasant memories can become associated with it. Really, you good poor Mutz, I don't blame you if you consider the short time we lived there as your happiest. See that you find rest there, relaxation for your overexerted energies; live in memories, refresh the present with them, and so strengthen yourself for a quiet, even—I dare prophesy it to you—happy future as the end of our long life of wandering. You'll feel at home with our old faithful acquaintances; I wrote to Papa Fischer yesterday and sent greetings to the Oberseergasse. I also wrote to Frau Ritter to receive you hospitably. Eventually you'll also bring yourself to go to the theater, and even to see my operas. Then they shall no longer be memories, but harbingers of an early and better future. I now have the peace and quiet to take stock of myself, fully and decisively, and my future is decided in so far as I have only one more wish in my life which I intend to strive for: artistic activity. Never again shall I decide to accept a permanent position; but, as soon as I'm pardoned by an amnesty, my aim will be to settle down, however modestly, with you and my little household spirits in a large city of Germany where there are good and sizable artistic forces with which I can perform my works from time to time. Then perhaps I'll be more sociable than I ever was because I shall have become very quiet and given up all demands on people. It is then only a matter of which city is selected—Berlin, Vienna, or Dresden. This I must as yet leave undecided. But such a city it must be. Now, in solitude, I still want to complete my new work: it shall and will prepare the way for my permanent return to Germany: by the middle of next year, God willing. Until then, my good Mutz, get a good rest; take care of yourself, and—please! please! don't leave anything undone to make yourself comfortable. I'll gladly provide for everything you need. If Frau Hänel must be paid at once, do so; it is all right. Frau Ritter is sending you—the end of this month, I think—a thousand francs. I don't attach any importance to the babbling of Frau Elise; here it isn't a matter of the Wagner parasite, but of the Ritter family with their mother at the head who feels honored and happy to be able to serve me. To be sure, it will stop some day, but, according to her express desire, not until a pension of at least an equal amount will be paid me: for they see for themselves that, despite my receipts, I need something steady, permanent. In general, don't let any side influence you with any coaxing or persuading: be assured that no soul living on earth is friendlier to you than your husband! Believe this firmly and surely! And have confidence in the good Pusinelli: I have great respect for his friendly concern and his knowledge. I shall write to him that he should take you completely under his wing so that I'll find a really healthy and invigorated wife when I knock on the little cottage of happiness in Dresden where we want this time to embark upon an untroubled, peaceful old age. Yes, yes! I know what I still have to do in this world: no one shall suffer on my account, and my art shall edify and uplift every one.
Now don't forget to write to Frau Ritter (Zwingerstrasse 3), where you'll be staying at the end of the month; for I've already written to her to send the money to Zwickau. Then, when you go to Dresden, be sure to take Jacquot along, you heartless woman! Travel first class, and then you'll be able to find a place for the bird!
Bülow's address is: Anhaltstrasse No. 11. About myself I'll write you more the next time. The grand piano has been here for three days and gives me great happiness. Unfortunately, I had to post a bond of 258 francs in Zurich, besides the freight, in order to be able to bring the instrument back again free of duty. But now I have given orders to have this permit set aside since I am not seriously considering taking the grand back to Switzerland. The money will be put to some other use.
I have not made any money here so far, but I have received various promises for Rienzi so that I'll soon be in a position to send money to Zurich. But—as I said—about myself some other time. Give my best regards to Clare and Wolfram, and my best wishes to the young couple. More for them too, the next time! For today, farewell, good dear Minna! Be calm!
Your Richard
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner: The Burrell Collection, ed. John N. Burk (Macmillan, 1950), No. 193