My very dear Sir,
I still have to thank you for your most obliging letter which you recently sent me and to which I can respond only by expressing the hope that you may always remain in charge of what is now so curiously divided a business.
Your wish which was conveyed to me by Herr Seidl, whereby I should append my signature to copies of the “Twilight of the Gods” as a form of dedication intended to curry favour with those newspaper editors to whom you are planning to distribute them is impossible for me to fulfil. I have no desire to place the least obstacle in your way by preventing so shrewd and well-considered a move on your part, but I am bound to wish that it be merely the politeness of the firm of Schott and not my willingness to engage in acts of homage that is heeded and met by gratitude in that quarter, since I pride myself on having reached the age of 62 without having made the slightest concession to the gentlemen of the press, nor indeed - I am happy to say - have they seduced me into doing so on any occasion whatsoever.
I believe this can all be done without me.
Herr Seidl will be sending you more detailed information with regard to the music manuscripts which you require. Everything shall be done according to your wishes!
In sincere friendship,
Your devoted servant,
Richard Wagner
Source: Selected Letters of Richard Wagner, trans. and ed. Stewart Spencer and Barry Millington (W. W. Norton & Company, 1988), No. 429