Dearest Friend,
Best thanks for your letter! I answer it at once, because I want another one from you soon. But I must be brief, otherwise I cannot write at all.
The R.'s are a new world for me. Between us everything is readily understood. We rejoice mutually, and everything which the one does pleases the other. There is no talk of thanks between us. And could I be indifferent if I had to fear that a set of fault-finders would suddenly mix in this noble relationship — people who can neither understand nor love me, who would cause me annoyance merely for the sake of slander, and to a certain extent of dishonour? O, for shame! Think over the last years of my life; then look at the others, and look at the R.'s, and I hope you will understand why I was in such a state when that suspicion, that presentiment, arose in me. Good heavens! to preach is always a hard task! Must I then really preach?
As yet I have no news from Liszt; only B. wrote to me that on the 3rd of this month Liszt had not yet returned.
Extraordinary that I cannot get hold of the Musik-Zeitung. Brendel sent me a few old numbers, and then nothing more. So, though I pay, it is impossible for me to receive the wished-for numbers through the post as soon as they are out. Funny! Brendel seems to do strange things. For goodness' sake, why do you not send them? Cannot you get a second copy of your articles?
I must pull up.
I have been packed up in a wet cloth for three weeks, and shall continue in the same fashion. For a time I had to discontinue on account of too great exhaustion. I am now much excited; but I live in hope. My appetite is always excellent.
To Weber:
Oper und Drama, von Richard Wagner.
Voilà tout! Do write that to him!
Now Uli! Uli! man of fair complexion! write and tell me whether Elsa is well again. Greetings to your people and to the R.'s. Emilie is coming to Albisbrunn.
Farewell, and
Your
R. W.
Source: Richard Wagner's Letters to His Dresden Friends, Theodor Uhlig, Wilhelm Fischer, and Ferdinand Heine, trans. J. S. Shedlock (Scribner & Welford, 1890), No. 37