It goes without saying that a dear kind soul like you deserves another letter from me! I am sending you 3 choice pages, but shall write something in addition: that’s what I’m doing now! - My love, I have nothing whatsoever to tell you, except to say that I have nothing to tell you other than what concerns my infinitely pedantic and monotonous life. I have Cosima here with me, together with her 3 children, governess and nursemaid, in addition to Vreneli, Steffen, Jost, Marie & Louise - our cook from Toulouse. Also Russumuck, Pohl’s successor, a huge Newfoundland, - and also Kos, the famous little pinscher; and the peacocks. We are now settling in for the winter, stoves & fires already laid. Not a soul is admitted. I get up at 7 o’clock: if I am in a good mood, Vreneli dresses me in all my finery, - if not, Steffen has to bring my outdoor clothes at once. Breakfast is taken between 8 & 9 either in my room or in Cosima’s; then we go our separate ways, daybreak, - finally work. 1 o’clock mealtime: 3 o’clock long walk. Back home between 5 & 6, half an hour in the nursery; teaching Isoldchen to walk. Then change of clothes: work, while Cosima gives the children a French lesson. 8 o’clock tea in my room; 9 to 10.30 dictation of my biography. And so to bed! That’s how it is every day. Cosima is beginning to blossom - which she certainly needed. At the same time the Mastersingers are making good progress: I have reached the 3rd act: still hope to have finished it by the New Year. My finest work: everything is working out well: I laugh & cry while writing it. If all goes according to plan, we shall perform it in Nuremberg in the summer. My little treasure from Mainz will be there as well: she belongs with the Mastersingers. -
Well, while all this has been going on, my young King has been having a good clear-out. It has actually happened, he has got rid of Pfistermeister; it is just as if, in her own day, the Empress of Austria had got rid of Metternich. It has all passed off satisfactorily and promptly, and - just as I predicted - the curs have suddenly fallen silent: the spell is broken, the ghost has been laid. It was necessary for his sake, and it makes me deeply happy: perhaps - perhaps he may yet fulfil all my hopes. What he has done now he did simply out of his love for me, entirely of his own free will. But neither he nor anyone will drive me away from my Triebschen at present. Once the Mastersingers are finished - I shall no doubt show my face again, but only so as to make Triebschen seem all the more desirable. - Do you want more? I do not know. I cannot write my music for you. We live in limbo, outside the world - and - deserve to do so.
You are quite unique, a dear kind creature whom we love with all our hearts: believe me! Remain loyal & kind, so that, as happy “human beings”, we can all one day enjoy each other’s splendid company in perfect consolation. Very best wishes to your Mama, and to your sister and aunts, and especially to your cousin Louise! Fare you well, dear noble child!
Cordially yours,
Rich.
[music example: “I see the day approaching that no doubt brings great joy!”]
Source: Selected Letters of Richard Wagner, trans. and ed. Stewart Spencer and Barry Millington (W. W. Norton & Company, 1988), No. 354