Dear good Minna!
I'm writing you today anyway, although it is a little late and the letter won't leave until tomorrow. I arrived here only today, in order to take care of my catarrh. Yesterday, in Munich, I got your letter which (as you can imagine) gave me much joy; for the last few days I had the letters held in Munich, because I didn't know in the end how long I should be away. I wasn't in Karlsruhe, but Liszt was there, and later on called on me here. I have no use for those music societies, and Karlsruhe, where I had been so long led by the nose, is one of the last places where I would stay to make music. Lately I have often been visiting my young King in Hohenschwangau; he thrives more and more and dearly loves me. My only difficulty is to curb his impatience: he would like to perform the Nibelungen as early as this year.
Although I am not bound by any obligation of service, I have to yield to his entreaties and give the first performance here of The Flying Dutchman at the beginning of October, when he is to attend the theater for the first time since his succession to the throne. The opera has been very carefully prepared and well cast, therefore I also am glad to undertake it. All the further plans are still in God's hands, and one doesn't know whether or not they will come to pass. Actually it is very hard for me now to have dealings with singers, etc. In order not to be forced into anything, I am keeping myself very independent: I am too tired really to desire anything but rest and peace. Anything else I do under compulsion, and in this none will succeed except the young Monarch in his rare love and enthusiasm.
You seem to have had an enviable time at Tharandt. My stay here unfortunately hasn't turned out to be very pleasant, on account of the exceptionally nasty cold and damp weather which has prevailed here since May with only a few short interruptions. I don't yet know where I can be accommodated in the city and I'll probably have to make my camp here for some time to come, which is not exactly one of the most pleasant prospects. I am all the more pleased that you feel tolerably well and seem to be in a good humor; but many desirable things are not my lot, and the thought of working only for my art from now on strengthens me; for this purpose everything has been made easier now.
As I already cabled to you this morning, accept my most heartfelt wishes for your birthday. The most important of all is reasonable health, which you seem to have somewhat regained recently. If I have contributed to this in any degree, you may well believe that I am pleased about it. May it be preserved for you and strengthened more and more.
Soon you will hear from me again! Warmest greetings from
Your
Richard
(Old Pohl greets Jacquot)
On the King's orders an excellent, large-sized bust is being made of me in marble. I shall see to it that you get a copy of it later on: this must suffice for my (birthday) present.
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner: The Burrell Collection, ed. John N. Burk (Macmillan, 1950), No. 272