Wagner's Letters

Richard Wagner to Cäcilie Avenarius

February 25, 1849 · Dresden

Overview

In a jesting birthday letter to Cäcilie, Wagner reports that Minna has taken to baking with great success while he practises the Latin script, so that they may at least get through life with dexterity.

Letter

[...] Minna trusts my style rather than her own, worthily to convey our good wishes for your birthday. But while I am writing, she is baking a Bäbe. My better half, who is daily striving to be of more use in the world, has—as you will have seen from the Christmas dainties which you have not received—dedicated herself to bakery with uncommon success, while I—as you also see—am devoting myself heart and soul to improving my handwriting by the study of the Latin script. Thus we hope that, come what may, we shall at least get through life with dexterity. [...]

Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Vol. 1, selected and ed. Wilhelm Altmann, trans. M. M. Bozman (J. M. Dent & Sons, 1927), No. 147