My Dear Old Friend!
I was still on my sick couch when what you sent yesterday arrived, and there I have been ever since I wrote my last letter to you.
I say nothing more!
To-day I got up from bed for an hour, in order to write to X., because the recent news about him left me no rest. I prefer to have the letter sent through you: first of all, that X. may not be able to deny the receipt of it; and secondly, that you may read it over first; you need then only to close it. It is really a pitiable business!!!
Many thanks for the copy; it has turned out remarkably well. Tell that to Wölfel from me!
Then I have still a great request. Be so kind and ask Fürstenau to send at once (by post) half a ream of the same paper which Wölfel got from him. He could receive the amount through the post-office; or, if that won't do, you could perhaps settle it; or, if even that won't do, Fürstenau might perhaps draw a bill on me. Otherwise I would send him the trifling sum at once.
I can't keep up, and must go back to bed: I already feel bad.
Greet me the Heines, and hold in kind remembrance
Your thankful
Richard Wagner.
Source: Richard Wagner's Letters to His Dresden Friends, Theodor Uhlig, Wilhelm Fischer, and Ferdinand Heine, trans. J. S. Shedlock (Scribner & Welford, 1890), No. 139