[...] To-morrow—with appropriate leisureliness and composure—I am going to write you the "diplomatic letter." You shall be satisfied with it from every point of view, although I assure you it costs me a hard struggle to achieve the right attitude from which to view the offer of the Duke [Ernest II. of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha] not as inconsiderate and cruelly insulting but [...] as, at bottom, well-meaning, even though unacceptable under any conditions. I am vividly reminded of a time, thirteen years ago, when I arranged Donizetti's Favorite for two cornets à piston, etc., for Schlesinger in Paris. I hope I have at least got the better of the world to the extent of not being expected to submit to any similar outrage—for money's sake—again.—[...]
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Vol. 1, selected and ed. Wilhelm Altmann, trans. M. M. Bozman (J. M. Dent & Sons, 1927), No. 238