[...] Since my summons to Munich, I have been made to suffer intensely through wildly exaggerated rumours in all quarters as to my financial prosperity. True, I am at length in a position to live from now on free from material cares, yet I can only hope to make good former sacrifices and pledges, as profits slowly flow in from the theatres and other sources, and my inability to disabuse people of the idea that I can dip at will into the King of Bavaria's coffers, worries me to distraction. The consequence is that I am plagued on the one hand by the common embarrassment of too pressing demands; on the other by the popular opinion that the Treasury is at my disposal and that I am a drain upon the nation. The result will be that I shall grow sick of my life, decline my good fortune with thanks, and vanish from the world. Still, some way out may yet be found—at least, I hope so. It cannot be in your interest, for instance, to see me driven to extremities. Even from the point of view of your own advantage, my case invites your aid in once for all straightening my affairs, which form a perpetual storm-centre. For the present, and for some time to come, I cannot approach the King for money under any subterfuge without pouring oil upon the flames. On the other hand, I must stave off clamorous demands for the payment of debts. [...]
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Vol. 2, selected and ed. Wilhelm Altmann, trans. M. M. Bozman (J. M. Dent & Sons, 1927), No. 603