My Dear Anton!
Here I come hobbling along, quite belated in my turn, with congratulations on your being a happy father and ever increasingly a grandfather! It gives me the greatest pleasure to see you happy and cheerful through your fine family-existence! Accordingly, the young bride ought to know that she has brought joy here at Triebschen, and on her wedding-trip she should convince herself of that in person!
(When I was a freshman in Leipzig, two brothers named Nerke were rather friendly to me: in fact, I was even the "fag" of the elder one — I think it was Bernhard N. Perhaps in this case it's a member of their family.)
Well, we propose to learn about all this shortly. For — then — it's possible that about next month, perhaps, there will be someone (and not even alone, either) who may be knocking at the door of No. 4 Feldgasse.
For such a contingency, let me point out to a certain old friend of mine whose name used to be "Chiappone," that it would be a good idea if perhaps she were to put in the stove another nice leg of mutton or something of that sort. Also she might take care to have something good from the Italian fellow's. I'm only guessing, of course!
Things are so "in the air," now, that I must point out to a certain person the various places and lodgings where once I dwelt, mused, and aspired, all so very — very silently and secretly. For that, I might make a little excursion incognito. Who knows? I think it will be done. Then I must, above all, show off my good dear "Anton" and let it be heard how he talks — particularly as a "Hofrath," something which I have not yet heard myself.
So: mum's the word! But you'd better keep that "leg" in mind! I'll say nothing further, except that I send my wife's and my own most faithful and hearty greetings to you, your dear little wife, and all your numerous brood!
Addio — until (?)
Your old
Richard W.
Source: The Letters of Richard Wagner to Anton Pusinelli, trans. and ed. Elbert Lenrow (Alfred A. Knopf, 1932), No. 56