[...] Here am I on my travels, without having told you a word about them! [...]
In order to prevent any interruption in the composition of my third act [Tristan], I had to decide to begin it in some place where I should be able to finish it. I have chosen Lucerne for the purpose; you know how I love the Lake of Lucerne; the Righi, Pilatus, etc., have become healing necessities to me, to my very blood. I shall be quite alone there, shall easily find an excellent lodging at this time of year, and mean to work splendidly. The Erard has gone on in advance.
I still have much trouble with my health; otherwise things are tolerably well with me. [...]
I should certainly have had news of you long before now if I had not given you such a dose in my last letter! [...]
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Vol. 2, selected and ed. Wilhelm Altmann, trans. M. M. Bozman (J. M. Dent & Sons, 1927), No. 401