Tuesday Morning.
It is again long since I had news. For the last five days I have been expecting an answer from A. concerning the publication of the three opera poems. I am out of all patience that just this preface — the conclusion of which, as regards Weimar, no longer agrees with my latest decision — appears much too late. Now I shall be almost compelled to let Liszt have earlier warning that our opera compact is at an end, for by that "Mittheilung" he will see that it really was my honourable intention to work for Weimar. Now, to my great disgust, I must still read the insipid announcement of a "Jung Siegfried" (Pfugh! how affected!). It is really too ridiculous and vexatious. As soon as I have written to Liszt, I will beg you to see about a new notice for the musical papers, in which the matter can be explained. By the way, try and induce Brendel, in my name, not to accept anything more from H. "aus Zürich." I am sufficiently vexed that we sent the stuff the first time. Brendel may, after all, have thought that he was obliging me in accepting it. Let him accept any trash he will, but if he really wishes to oblige me — nothing more from H. aus Zürich. Quite apart from the utterly disgraceful insipidity of these communications, they cause such stupid confusion here; and, at last, people will think I am at the bottom of it. So, do not forget!
Last Friday evening, just as I had left my hip-bath, the postmaster of Hausen rushed, all out of breath, into my room, and showed me Friday's Zurich paper, in which was written:
"Richard Wagner, at present living in Zurich, has received full pardon from the King of Saxony. (He had been condemned to a long term of imprisonment for participation in the May revolution.)"
To the astonishment of my good postmaster, I remained terribly indifferent. Since then I have received no confirmation of the news; so probably it is not correct. If indeed there were any truth in the report, the only thing I could do would be to ask to be denationalized from Saxony, in order to become a citizen here. With a Swiss pass I could then travel wherever I liked, but I certainly would not come to Germany. However, for the present it is all talk, and I will not swagger and make myself ridiculous. Let me add only this — my pardon would be a striking evidence of arbitrariness.
Now something about my cure. For my wife's sake, I have now settled to go home again on Sunday, November 23rd; the 24th is our fifteenth wedding anniversary. For the moment, this is how I spend my day: 1. Early, at half-past five, wrapping up in a wet sheet till seven o'clock; then cold tub and a walk. Eight o'clock, breakfast: dry bread and milk, or water. 2. Again a short walk; then a cold compress. 3. About twelve o'clock, rubbing down with damp towels; a short walk; another compress. Then dinner in my room, to avoid indigestion. An hour's idleness; a stiff walk of two hours — alone. 4. About five o'clock, rubbing down again, and a short walk. 5. About six o'clock a hip-bath, lasting a quarter of an hour, followed by a walk to promote circulation. Another compress. Supper about seven o'clock: dry bread and water. 6. Then at six o'clock a whist party until nine, after which another compress, and then about ten o'clock to bed. I bear this regime very well now; perhaps I shall still increase it. For four weeks I have sweated sulphur, and then my wet cloth has become reddish: I am assured that this proceeds from the mercury. A great deal of perspiration, with body at high temperature. My eruption came out again; now it is gradually disappearing. When I am back in Zurich, I shall continue the cure. I shall do little work; only plan and sketch from time to time. If necessary, my wife will have to see to my wet-packing. Very severe diet; so it would be the very deuce were I not to live a little while yet in good health. I shall, I think, one day accomplish something. What do you think? Now I will see if I get a letter from you to-day. Yes, one has come. For to-day only a short answer. I am greatly astonished that the P. has no scores; perhaps she has some without knowing it. Natalie made a note of them; I'll get her to write. Emilie cannot possibly bring the things with her; of course not; send them by carrier. That will cost least. But first you can look carefully through everything, just as the fancy takes you. In what you send me, keep only to that which I asked for. The printed things I really do not want; please accept them as a present from me, if you care for them and they are not in your way. So only my operas, as I mentioned. If X. will spare me, as a gift of honour, a piano score of Rienzi, and one of the new Tannhäuser, send these also. I have still the piano score of the Dutchman, but the rest is missing. I should like to have all these in the course of the winter. More shortly. Between the arrival and departure of the post there is here only a cursed short time. If the Musik. Zeitung arrives punctually, I shall be delighted; up to now there are no signs of it.
(Introductory play: The Rape of the Rhine Gold. I. Siegmund and Sieglind: the Punishment of the Walküre. II. and III. you know. Adieu for to-day.)
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. 44