[...] To-day, having just received Professor Fröhlich's answer, I can discuss that business with you at once, and I will take it first. You will see from the enclosed letter, that I on my part have left nothing undone to fulfil your wishes in respect of Natalie. I leave it to you to decide what action to take. [...] I cannot think that one year will see the end of the business or that Natalie will then get an engagement at once, and accordingly I must be prepared for two years in any case. In the meantime, I am determined that it is indispensable, cost what it may, for you to engage yourself a companion and attendant. How ill these two undertakings accord, and how bitter I am inclined to feel against Natalie on that account, I leave you to judge; but I tell you quite candidly that in my opinion even this sacrifice will do nothing for Natalie's future. To take up a project like this at her age requires energy of character and a better grounding in the rudiments of knowledge. The idea of dealing with children seems so very pleasant to her, simply because she has no idea what, for example, an English family expects of a governess, or that even if her attainments should reach the required level, her slack and apathetic character would never give satisfaction. If the attempt is, nevertheless, to be made at her time of life, I could only give it my full approval if that attempt [...] were to be made under easier conditions. With a young person of energetic character, despite her maturity, I would say unconditionally, "Yes! Berne—systematic, thorough and the best!" But with Natalie's nature I would ask you to consider whether it would not be preferable to make the attempt nearer home. There must be opportunities in Dresden, where there surely exist establishments for the training of governesses. Even if three years were required [...] the experiment would be cheaper in Dresden, and better, too, from my point of view, for I should have to reckon on two years at least in Berne (piano-playing and English are not to be learned overnight). Consequently, please do all you can in Dresden first. [...] I promised Natalie, if she looked after you to your complete satisfaction, that I would show myself correspondingly grateful to her. Although she does not seem to have fully answered to my wishes, I have, nevertheless, determined in any event to support her for the future, and I am ready to allow her fifty thalers regularly every year. [...] I even thought of Meck's family. It seems as though we were always looking round for strange families while our own relatives are compelled to take strangers into their homes, and the Mecks have children, too. Why not try there, where, after all, they will not be so particular and her present attainments would be sufficient? With my annual contribution she would not be a burden to them but would, on the contrary, very likely be welcomed. [...]
Another thing, my dear Minna, is that I think I have reached an age now when one would like to enjoy the fruits of a long life of labour a little. I mean by this no more than household comforts and conveniences—and what I am able to get for myself in this kind is of value to me, for comfort and rest attune me to creative work, whereas when I am continually restlessly uncomfortable I waste an uncommon amount of time and temper. Besides, not only out of consideration for you, whom I should love to surround with every comfort, but on account of my own sensitive and difficult temperament, I find it harder than many other people to satisfy my needs for peace and quiet. To take the question of a dwelling-place, for instance. What strict precautions I have to take to be quite undisturbed, to hear no irritating sound, above all no piano-playing! Just imagine how difficult it is to protect oneself entirely against that kind of thing here in Paris! After incredible efforts I have at last succeeded in finding a lodging which satisfies all my requirements, but at the cost of 1000 francs a year more than for a place without these guarantees. [...]
I had to sign the contract for three years and to pay the rent for the last quarter in advance. In any case, however, I intend to devote these three years to Paris and my enterprises here. In spite of the high cost of living I may hope to be able to leave here then with money in hand, and if Germany is open to me by that time to settle down with my old Mutze wherever I please, to end our days in peace. And these three years ought to pass agreeably—there is no hurry about my pardon till they are over—and so please do not let others mislead you into pressing me upon this point for the present. [...]
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Vol. 2, selected and ed. Wilhelm Altmann, trans. M. M. Bozman (J. M. Dent & Sons, 1927), No. 431