O Father, Brother, Friend!
How can you believe that I could ever use strong language when I think of you!
Good gracious! what bad manners you must now be learning in Dresden.
Best thanks for your dear letter! You ever valiant fellow. Of your deeds as manager I had already read on returning from the ice regions, where I had been taking a mineral water. Heaven knows whether the cure will be of any use to me! Only think that I must give up snuff; for the last six days I have not taken a single pinch! The effect for the present is as though I should go crazy — somewhat thus must X. always feel when you come near him. Concerning this muddle-headed fellow, I truly fear he will yet become ripe for the lunatic asylum. That fear it was that gave me the idea of writing to Kr. to ask him to take the matter in hand. Be so good, then, as to deliver the enclosed little letter to Kr. You are indeed right to keep back the score of the Flying Dutchman: you may at most lend it, but only in return for a sufficient guarantee, to be invented by you, that it will be given back in a certain time — say four weeks. The Dutchman will also have its turn (if you let it alone in Dresden) — they already want it also in Wiesbaden. Rienzi you can always part with to private individuals for twenty-five thalers, under an agreement that it will never be used for theatrical performances: the money to my mother-in-law! Warn Apt in Prague that, should he not buy the score, he cannot keep it over four weeks. So much for that! Full stop!
Stay — I have still something to say about the Ballenstedt fellow! He wrote to me, and I have dissuaded him; at least, he must pay me ten louis d'or: should he still persist in his wish, I will in that case give him a contract-order on you in the customary way (with the condition of a postal certificate of receipt for ten louis d'or). Only in return for such a postal receipt, or for the said sum itself, can he have the score. In general I will never refer any one to you without such a written order. For Olmütz also you may expect a similar form. Moreover, Darmstadt, Hanover, Brunswick, and Stuttgart will shortly fall into your hands.
Good heavens! there I am again with a shameful digression out of cursed covetousness — for I intended only speaking to you about your management. I have read grand things about it in connection with Hans Heiling, etc. I hope you will soon also produce Adolph von Nassau. (This little volume interests me very much on account of Wiesbaden.)
How does it strike that soul of a man, L., when you keep bringing out fresh operas? Does he not often think of me, and how you stuck by me, and how R. drew in his claws and was so energetic that he did not know which way to turn?
Some one has lately told me that you are in excellent trim: according to that account, you really seem to be leading a very sensible life, in spite of your secret whist parties at A. R.'s with G. (O you secret sinner!)
I thank Wilhelm very much for his fine description of the Cassel Tannhäuser; I will send him a special answer shortly. The Prophetess is Heaven knows where; but I think I am on the track: the moment I get hold of her, Wilhelm shall lay hands on her. Kind greetings to him.
Minna is by no means well: she is taking remedies, and is going again to the baths: her blood and nerves are in a state of commotion. Fortunately she can now have her little comforts — for that I have indeed to thank Tannhäuser.
I am soon going off on a journey to the Mediterranean. A thousand greetings to Heine; he ought not to worry himself and his eyes so much. The principal thing I want is a good, easily comprehensible sketch of the decorations and their manner of setting up. Good-bye for to-day!
Your most grateful
Rich. W.
Go on writing to Zurich: all letters will reach me.
Source: Richard Wagner's Letters to His Dresden Friends, Theodor Uhlig, Wilhelm Fischer, and Ferdinand Heine, trans. J. S. Shedlock (Scribner & Welford, 1890), No. 122