[...] Postpone your coming till December if you like, only if pedantry is at the bottom of this delay, you really ought to get the better of it; it is a mistake to be a pedant. Early in November I am giving The Flying Dutchman and a final performance of my fragments, to which Schnorr is coming. The King has invited Bülow to come to Munich in time for this; he would be very glad to see you here by that time. Nevertheless, as you like!—
Only do please write at once to the King [...] Write to him warmly, cordially, with the greatest freedom. In that way you will soon be on intimate terms with him. [...]—I was almost tempted recently to fall down and worship before him. Believe me, there is something "more than meets the eye" about him: he is not "of this world." [...]
I should not have seen Liszt if he had not come to see Hans when he was ill here. It gave me great pleasure. Greetings to Tausig from him and from me. Liszt played me his Viennese Nights with real enthusiasm and praised them very highly. Having heard of that offer of mine to conduct your Cid in Weimar he thanked me most fervently, making it quite a personal matter. One's only possible grudge against him is that we get so little of him. Well, there is "more than meets the eye" there, too!
I am reopening my letter because, upon a second reading of yours, I see more plainly than before that you really wish to hear no more about the King's summons. Now, let me conjure you not to indulge in any crotchets in this matter. No one need hear a word of the salary the King is to pay you, if you prefer it so. It imposes neither title nor duties on you. It is a purely friendly service from my friend to my friend. Everything here is ideal, pure and noble! For God's sake, let us have no pedantic scruples. Be as free and noble as my King is—I ask no more! Reassure me about this,—please!
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Vol. 2, selected and ed. Wilhelm Altmann, trans. M. M. Bozman (J. M. Dent & Sons, 1927), No. 595