[...] Since last I wrote to you, I have had letters which to a great extent spoiled the idea of a long stay in Berlin for me. One from Mme. Frommann in particular. The thought of inspiring anyone there with terror by my arrival is repulsive to me. And if I settle there for three months, no one will believe that I do not intend to stay permanently. This is one difficulty!—
Now, however, I learn further from the Bülows that they would have to try to put me up outside their house—something quite different, you see, from what I supposed from their first invitation. Not even an entirely unreserved welcome, I deduce.
I have no very encouraging idea of how I am likely to enjoy staying with Cecilie for any length of time. And at present I need greater peace and stability than usual for my work. I see that all this is useless, useless! I must and will establish a house of my own at the first possible moment. [...]
Wiesbaden has recently been described to me, by Mme. Frommann among others, as entirely suitable. You must have been very unfortunate in your experience there. [...] At any rate, I will soon go and inspect it. [...] We will talk things over thoroughly in Berlin, when I shall be able to give you exact and personally acquired information about Wiesbaden.
I see well enough that I must take my fate entirely into my own hands again. I am resolved rather to work myself to death than to wait about for these wretched princes any longer. Now I see that a publisher will pay for a new opera of mine enough for me to live on while I work, provided I live cheaply and quietly. Good, then! When I have finished The Mastersingers and launched it, I shall begin something else at once. I have enough in petto!—To-morrow I shall probably have completed the second act of the poem, which is turning out famously and will have a huge success—that's certain! [...]
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Vol. 2, selected and ed. Wilhelm Altmann, trans. M. M. Bozman (J. M. Dent & Sons, 1927), No. 514