Dear Old Friend!
I beg you to pay no attention whatever to Batz. He meddles with things which don't concern him at all, and he has quite impudently assumed the title of my General Authorized Agent. However, I have in my possession every deed of assignment, and at present I am letting them figure in a lawsuit. One is obliged to defend even one's skin!
This is also the latest news from Bayreuth. If I were to see you here for the patrons' meeting, that would be splendid! Take care of your health and let me have some good news on that score! Your military Karl gives me much pleasure! With us things are tolerable, making allowances for the countless vexations and disagreeable incidents which I have to endure and overcome every day.
Give your dear wife and children best greetings from me and Cosima!
Be ever assured of the close friendship of your
Old
Richard Wagner
Source: The Letters of Richard Wagner to Anton Pusinelli, trans. and ed. Elbert Lenrow (Alfred A. Knopf, 1932), No. 80