My dear, faithful wife,
I am safely arrived on Swiss soil! I had hoped to be able to write to you from here a day sooner, but the journey was unfortunately a very slow one, with frequent stops etc. - In Lindau they asked to see only my passport & gave me a visa for Switzerland without any difficulty.
I left Lindau this morning, crossing Lake Constance to get here, & in half an hour shall be continuing my journey to St Gall & Zurich. In Zurich I intend to allow myself a brief rest, which will also enable me to write to you at greater length. I must stop now.
Safe at last!
May God keep you in good spirits! I have suffered a great deal of anxiety on your behalf, but - my old vitality has once more returned in full measure!
Fare you well! my dearest Minna, best of wives! More tomorrow from Zurich!
Yours,
R.W.
Source: Selected Letters of Richard Wagner, trans. and ed. Stewart Spencer and Barry Millington (W. W. Norton & Company, 1988), No. 88