Here, valued Friend, you have a sign of life from me, and, as I hope, a good and friendly one. May it be received as such, at least, on the "green hill." The faithful old Sachs must make his bow, to freshen pleasant memories in you; no better envoy could I choose, to bring you tidings of myself, my earnest, vivid and sincerely grateful memory of my friends. So let him give his message well.
And now for the news, that I am toiling hard to bring about a really excellent performance of the work; the joy of full success already braces all my powers. I can promise my friends the first performance for June the 21st at latest.
In pursuance of a vow I took in times of trouble, I shall not be present at the performances themselves, yet shall diligently guide their spirit down to the final dress-rehearsal. You would therefore meet at any rate that spirit, should you journey hither for the birthday of a work once bid to you in such dire need, and tended by you with such faithful patience. For the rest, my path is that of utmost solitude and retirement, as rest and quiet form my weightiest need in life.
Now warmly greet your honoured wife and children for me, and remain good to me, as I am always mindful of and heartily thankful to you as
Your faithfully devoted
Richard Wagner.
Source: Richard Wagner's Letters to Wesendonck et al., trans. and indexed by William Ashton Ellis (Grant Richards, 1899), No. 41