[...] I have long had it on my conscience to write to you. But I have long been waiting for a definite settlement with Härtel's. This is very difficult to achieve but I must say in excuse that it is probably due to the unusual matter [The Ring of the Nibelungs] with which we are dealing. But I must soon get a decision now. I propose provisionally to give up all idea of having the scores printed and to make this depend on the result of a subscription at a suitable time. In this way I hope to get substantial payment for the pianoforte abridgments; for I should have been in a sense obliged to pay for the printing of the scores—by surrender of the honorarium. I have naturally insisted on payment for your work and suggested that you would be willing to do pianoforte arrangements without words. Well, we shall see. I am still doubtful if Härtel's will accept my latest offer.
It is a miserable world. You can scarcely imagine how unprofitably I am spending my time here. Most unhappily I am seldom able to work. I have been ill frequently—and no wonder. I am now doing the instrumentation of the second act of Tristan. I work very slowly—but then, I only write down the best I can conceive. I have never yet, perhaps, made a piece of music like this second act. You will like it.
Your pleasure in Siegfried came to me as from a vanished world. I have utterly forgotten all of it. But it will come back to me—I am sure of that. Probably it will greatly invigorate me, too, but first I must drink my cup of sorrow to the dregs. When one has really done with life the game goes better.
I hear nothing from Weimar but what you have heard is really an old story. It is Liszt's point d'honneur. But the question is how matters stand with my amnesty. If the few princes friendly to me cannot put pressure on the National Diet, Saxony will not reinstate me. We'll see!—
Tristan is for Karlsruhe in September—provisionally. But I am still uncertain whether I can have it finished. My humour for work hangs on a thread which may snap any moment. My poor wife gives me great anxiety. I fear that her health must be my one object for a long time to come. It is an inexhaustible source of sorrow to me!—
If all goes well I shall complete Tristan in June and stay here till then. [...]
Your work will undoubtedly be excellent. You know what you are about. I am delighted with the act from Siegfried. As soon as you have a safe opportunity send the score drafts to Härtel's (for me). On thinking it over I realise that I have never lost a package in the post. Perhaps you could venture to Venice yourself. (Same old address!)
I have recently had an offer from New York to produce my operas there next winter. I hold it over, but have it in mind to recommend you to conduct—as my representative. [...]
[...] You must become a kapellmeister. This pianoforte teaching in London is no good. [...]
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Vol. 2, selected and ed. Wilhelm Altmann, trans. M. M. Bozman (J. M. Dent & Sons, 1927), No. 391