[...] I beg you to consult with our friends as to whether it is possible for them to take me in this summer. In that way the object of these recent struggles of mine might be attained. They arose because, for the sake of being able to remain peacefully at work, I tried to avoid the necessity of a long concert tour in Russia by borrowing a sum of money equivalent to the takings I might have made there. The fatal plight in which I eventually found myself when, the Russian offer having been let slip, the money was not to be obtained, is now in process of being alleviated. Certain people who keep watch at close quarters over me and my affairs, and are able to form an opinion, found it possible to understand, to excuse, and accordingly to find the remedy.
As, however, I see that I must abandon my quarters here in any case, as too expensive, the immediate problem is to find quiet and suitable accommodation to serve for the period still required for the completion of my Mastersingers. From a purely practical standpoint, this could best be found in the Wesendoncks' house. There are, indeed, valid objections to a permanent removal thither, but I do not contemplate this. On the completion of my work, which may be effected by the end of this summer if I am quite undisturbed, I shall go to St. Petersburg, probably to remain there for good; should I not make up my mind to this definite emigration to St. Petersburg, I shall probably go to relations, as I badly need a family to which to attach myself.
Just now, however, it is merely a question of some easily-attained refuge for the prosecution of my work, which otherwise would come near to entire and permanent abandonment. Well, as earlier invitations to make my home with them for a time have not actually been withdrawn by my friends hitherto, I find in them my best and certainly my last hope of saving my work. [...]
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Vol. 2, selected and ed. Wilhelm Altmann, trans. M. M. Bozman (J. M. Dent & Sons, 1927), No. 565