My King,
I told you yesterday that I had given you my final piece of advice and said my last word in this matter. I am writing to you today, after the most mature consideration, in order to underline what I said then, and to confirm that piece of advice.
Whereas, in accord with our most recent arrangements, it was a question of obtaining peace and quiet, and securing the unimpeded execution of such measures as would serve our ideal artistic plans, what we must do now is destroy a full-blown conspiracy against the honour of my royal lord and against his freedom. Consider the means at your enemy’s disposal: for 16 years Pfistermeister has exercised his interfering influence on all the offices of state and country in order to fill those positions with such as owe him their advancement and good fortune. It was against this bestowal of offices that a number of upright ministers directed their opposition: their resistance was interpreted as disobedience towards the sovereign will, since the secretary could, of course, accommodate his favourites only in the “name” of the King. Incitement of the King and his ministers was the consequence of this: incomprehensible changes often took place of which no one could see the true causes. It was no higher political norm which guided the ambitious secretary here: his talent and his knowledge are so slight that it would be impossible for him to carry out a political order on his own. Only political power and its preservation could be his game; but if he himself pursues no political end, men more perceptive than he usurp his position and his influence in order to exercise a sway over the King’s decisions, without the latter’s knowledge, a sway which is authorized by neither the laws of the land nor the laws of humanity’s intellectual progress. To maintain a state of conflict between a prince and his people is the means adopted by this obscure party which, whatever it may claim to the contrary, aims not at spiritual but at temporal power. I have also gained clear insights into its workings. You now see, my beloved friend, what power has been entrusted to such people as the result of error and weakness! Your secretary feels he is more powerful than you: he orders the far-flung hordes of those favourites whom he himself maintains to traduce his sovereign lord, - and this is what happens. The most alarming rumours fill the town: it is said that you are neglecting the affairs of government, and merely indulging in fantasies of which I in turn make use to further my own shameless demands - , this is the only way in which people deign to understand our relationship. But now it is the “musician”, too, who is said to exercise a decisive influence upon your political decisions, and - since they are now suddenly afraid because of this wretched business - they even put it about that I am to blame for Neumayr’s dismissal, since he did not wish to appoint Froebel (!!). Yesterday, finally, the whole town was shocked by the rumour that you, my King, were intending to leave the country for seven months and to go to Italy, a rumour which has caused boundless dismay. What the real aim of this may be is as yet incomprehensible to me, as it is also perhaps to the unhappy man himself, a man who thinks only of heaping difficulties upon you because he still hopes to remain the only person at your command who is ultimately able to exorcize them; just like last winter when he finally offered to extinguish the very fire which he himself had started.
How can I think of my peace of mind now, and not place all my mental powers at the disposal of my friend? - So be it! God will lend me his strength. - If I feel called upon by fate to perform a great and noble service for you and your country, it must remain your secret and mine alone. No one must know that it was I who opened your eyes for you. That is why my advice remains the same as before:
dismiss Pfistermeister immediately and, at the same time, appoint Neumayr to advise you on forming a new cabinet.
The first of these measures will alarm your opponents and paralyze them, the second will show the country what it can expect of you. Prudence and justice come together here: their relationship is pure, conducive to the public good, and typically Bavarian.
I have only one worry now, and it is that, as a result of your enemy’s skill, you may feel too strong a personal prejudice against Neumayr. I do not know this man at all, and can judge him only on the basis of the position he has held so far. As a result I see him more as a symbol than as a person: but as such he represents two things clearly and distinctly: “moderate liberalism” for the political situation; and for the particular situation at present, “justice” on the part of the monarch. Oh, be great and high-minded in this matter, as you have always been towards me!
Resist the thought that his appointment might cause you humiliation: the King can never be unjust, especially when he dispenses justice. The injustice was bound up with the whole of this flawed system which, made wise by this experience, you now intend to remedy.
I must also repeat - (forgive me!) - a point to which I had already drawn your attention yesterday, by underlining the advice that I gave you to keep control of your actions and remain benevolent and friendly, even if Neumayr should turn against me. People must clearly entertain the notion - encouraged by our enemies - that I enjoy - God knows what? - “influence”, and that this is the result of your friendship for me. You will have no difficulty disabusing him as long as you do not allow yourself to be - understandably - upset by any objections that he may raise. But you must not allow him, least of all, to notice that it is my advice which has contributed to his appointment. It shall be my supreme pride and joy to have performed so fine a service for Bavaria, a service of which only my friend and I shall know. -
But, my King! act quickly and decisively! - As bold as you are, and as I love you, I almost wish to see you mount your horse, ride merrily to Munich, without a word to anyone, summon Neumayr to you here, and immediately put everything back on the right lines, like a hero! -
But perhaps you are already awaiting Neumayr at the very moment that these lines reach you? In that case - may God give you his blessing! -
Loyal and loving through death and beyond
Your
Richard W.
Source: Selected Letters of Richard Wagner, trans. and ed. Stewart Spencer and Barry Millington (W. W. Norton & Company, 1988), No. 338