Dear Kietz! I hesitated to answer your superb letters because I didn't want to address the answer to Zürich—always believing that you would leave there the next day. But I see now that your genius is remaining faithful to you and that you'll stay around in Zürich for a while. What can I possibly say to the news of the many incidents which happened to you? I understand that you don't want to return to Epernay. In the end—I imagine—would you like to stay in Zürich? Possibly the change would be profitable to you. I know of no popular portrait painter there. I'm eager to hear what other experiences you had (also in M.). In any case—don't hold it against me—I'm very much surprised that you are still in Zürich. In the final analysis you must have your reasons. If you don't have any, I have nothing to say about it either. But I hope I'll soon get some explanation. Your letter today was very explicit, but it contained nothing at all about your traveling plans, whereas I thought—as a result of one of your earlier letters—that you had already come through Lucerne.
Well, let's hear! Be assured that we think of you, and—since you are still young—become a fine man!
In old friendship
Your R. W.
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner: The Burrell Collection, ed. John N. Burk (Macmillan, 1950), No. 308