Dear Old Fellow,
I am sorry that your extreme conscientiousness has caused Michaelson an unmerited delay: anyhow, he was right in deducting one louis d'or. It is naturally difficult to get money from these small theatres, and I have therefore conceded M.'s request for 10 per cent. commission, because (as was the case with Genée) he mostly has to pay down cash, and then wait some while before he can squeeze it back from the management.
I thus have, at all events, the advantage of having nothing to do with the pack of ragamuffins, and safely receive my money in advance. Therefore, another time you may place greater trust in Michaelson: up to now he has always acted fairly with me; if he ever plays any tricks, it will be all up, and he will receive no more scores. So for the future, even without special directions from me, you can send him what he asks for, as soon as he encloses a postal order for at least nine louis d'or. He must, besides, send you the honorarium for Königsberg (ten louis d'or without discount); take what you want from it for expenses, and give the rest to Heine, so that he may get a supply of decoration- and costume-sketches (scenarium) ready. When they are exhausted (Hamburg has already announced itself), only tell me, so that I may make further arrangements.
Best thanks for your letter: congratulations about Teplitz! My musical festival was certainly fine; I have never experienced a purer, pleasanter impression. (Only think, the expenses amounted to over 9,000 francs!) Wilhelm ought to write to me how things have gone off in Cassel! I am glad he is with you. You are a devil of a fellow: what stuff there still is in you! I, also, have hopes of my health: I shall soon compose again. I think you are making the Nibelung's ring your own.
Good-bye, you dear old soul! I have such a terrible lot of letters to write, that I must really cut it short.
Cordial greetings to Heine and to your people from
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. 118