[...] You told me [...] that, in case of my Lohengrin's desired success, you intended to make use of the probably favourable mood of the Grand Duchess towards me, and get her to provide me with the means of subsistence during the composition of my Siegfried. I had just given up practically all idea of operatic composition for the present and had already sent the poem of Siegfried to the printers to give it to the public as it was,—as an incompleted project. Your news at once changed my mind. [...] I countermanded the printing of the poem, and instead prepared myself to compose for it. I chose the approaching spring, however, to begin the work—partly to let my winter mood, always somewhat sad, have time to pass away, but partly, too, to leave you time to carry your kind intention through at leisure. [...] For an entire six months—since the honorarium for Lohengrin from Weimar was used up—I have lived solely by the assistance of Frau Ritter of Dresden, because all this time I have been unable to earn anything save a small fee for the production of two Beethoven symphonies at the—wretched—local concerts. I know that my Dresden friend has exhausted her resources for the present, for this family is by no means a rich one and has only just sufficient means—and even these are seriously threatened at present, owing to awkward complications with Russia. I was nearly in the condition, therefore, of being obliged to think of earning money at all costs and consequently of abandoning altogether a work, totally useless in a pecuniary sense, such as the composition of my Siegfried. If I wanted in any way to square with my inclination work undertaken for the sake of money, it could only be by so-called "writing on aesthetics." But to make money by such journalism I should be obliged to give all my time to it and write for the papers "by the column." The idea is—very humiliating.
If, however, I am now to undertake artistic work of the greater sort, I must [...] feel my future secure for this year at least, otherwise I shall not have the necessary cheerfulness and collectedness—on my wife's account if on no other. With all the excellent qualities she possesses, she yet unfortunately does not understand my self of selves at all. [...] I am spiritually a stranger to her. [...] If, then, I am to have peace of mind [...] I must [...] be sure of a livelihood for the immediate future. Therefore I ask [...] you about it once again. [...] I know that everything has combined to hinder your plan to help me. The Grand Duchess was ill and could not see Lohengrin till the third performance. Shortly after that, you left Weimar and consequently have as yet found no opportunity to work on the Grand Duchess to support your plan in a suitable and honourable manner. [...]
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Vol. 1, selected and ed. Wilhelm Altmann, trans. M. M. Bozman (J. M. Dent & Sons, 1927), No. 197