Judith! oh! what beautiful warmth! I shall love you always! But that is not what concerns me at present:
Your bronchitis? I want to know how it is. And you said nothing about your health? - And the music by my cousin B?
Now you know everything, I have nothing else to tell you . . .
I like to see you defending your country so valiantly on every occasion, even when it means recognizing that the Madame de Pompadour of 13 years ago was more graceful than that of today. (It was a question only of this when I spoke of an increasing dullness of taste! - Oh! you! wicked detractress!) But I admire you even more for your patriotism, because it is something I lack completely, finding myself the only German amongst this stupid population which is called German!
- And so, you are luckier than I am! But, an end to our quarrels - although they are delightful when they take place between the two of us! -
To be serious! - Since you are obliged to accept other fabrics by way of exchange at a certain shop, I suggest - in the circumstances - that, to make your choice easier (almost impossible), you take a beautiful white satin, since in that way we shall avoid any difficulties over shades of colour, and a white satin will always be useful. Well then! after the perfumes etc., count up what remains of the fortune I deposited with you, and spend it on this white satin. Let us reserve the order for brocade until some other time. The question is always whether you have any money left in your account.
Well, I am always happy to have to wait for the things you send me! - You must send this once again through Schnappauf (!), whereas I would advise you - after this - to write to me directly, perhaps - thinking, rather, that I shall not have to hide your charming letters. In case of absolute necessity - (oh!) - all right then - long live Schnappauf! -
All my love, my beautiful beloved, dear and adored soul! My child! my Judith!
Your
Rich.
Parsifal is going well: you shall soon have some new bars!
Source: Selected Letters of Richard Wagner, trans. and ed. Stewart Spencer and Barry Millington (W. W. Norton & Company, 1988), No. 461