Esteemed Friend,
Hearty thanks for your kind letter which gives me a generally satisfactory account of your state, even if, as unfortunately was scarcely to be expected otherwise, many and various annoyances still bother you. That these do not leave you during the ever somewhat disturbing "cure," but even seem, now and then, to be increasing, must not mislead you. Continue consistently and strictly to follow the medical orders; a good result will not fail to come. Also I approve of the fact that Dr. Liebig has forbidden the use of digitalis; it is only useful as a palliative, while the "cure," with its means for healing, will bring about any radical recovery. And should even this goal not be reached entirely, you will nevertheless still experience a not inconsiderable relief, and next winter will, with the help of God, be better than the past one. To be sure, a repetition of the "cure," once or even several times, will be necessary, in Reichenhall or in another watering-place, depending on circumstances. A malady as deeply rooted as yours, which has lasted so long and is so difficult to get at, naturally requires vigorous treatment. I hope, however, to be able to spare you the long, agitating, and expensive journey, and certainly to discover something closer near-by which will be of good service to you.
We have returned safely from Elster, whither I had gone with my wife, Gretchen, and Antonia. There we took the waters and baths for three weeks, and are entirely gratified with the results. While we were away from home, Christine looked after the housekeeping and managed her job quite well. She has passed her first trial as a little house-mother, and as a reward she is going for two weeks to Merseburg to a family of close friends and relatives where we intend to go to get her.
Recently I spoke with Frau Tichatscheck on the street. She complained that she has had no news from you. I promised her to remind you of that.
Now still a few words regarding the unhappy divorce business. I can bear witness on my behalf that only through friendship for you and Richard have I allowed myself to be talked into undertaking the role of adviser, and that particularly as physician I have had in mind your best interests. The idea of a divorce emanated from me and even now I am still of the opinion that in view of your weak state of health, a complete separation would be of the greatest benefit provided that your support were to be taken care of by Richard. Judging from what you communicated to me regarding your relations with Richard, and what the latter himself wrote me, I cannot believe that you will ever return to a friendly and beneficial union. Whoever, like me, was witness to how injuriously the relations, personal as well as by letter, with Richard were affecting your health, must, especially as the acting physician and common friend, regard the cessation of all relations as desirable. You do not share this view; I do not blame you for that; instead, I acquiesce entirely in your decision, since the thing is your own affair. When, furthermore, I made a frank statement to Richard, when I was asked for advice, of what I considered best and had proposed to you, I believed this to be due the friend who had unreservedly laid before me his situation, and this all the more because, if one party or the other rejected my advice, neither party was injured thereby and at worst I alone would have to assume the odium of advice that was declined. Let this now be the end of the matter.
I shall see you soon again, I hope, quite cheerful and with the old friendly feelings for me once more. Until then, farewell, and receive in closing the heartiest greetings from my family.
With sincere friendship
Your most devoted
Dr. A. Pusinelli
Kindly greet Dr. Liebig for me.
Source: The Letters of Richard Wagner to Anton Pusinelli, trans. and ed. Elbert Lenrow (Alfred A. Knopf, 1932), No. 90