[...] For some four years, through days of indescribable stress, it has given me comfort and support to dictate the story of my life in full, in the form in which I shall some day make it over to one who—sooner or later after my death—will compile my true biography. The magnitude and offensiveness of current distortions of my life may, however, determine me to place earlier in the hands of some chosen person material dictated by me, to correct certain points. In order to safeguard this manuscript from destruction, I recently had the idea of having, say half a dozen copies, set up in print at my expense. Accordingly, I send you herewith a first batch of proofs just received, with the earnest request that you will not consider it as a presumptuous claim on your interest.
I shall not forget to acknowledge any further good which may come to my life and work through you. I cannot but wish that I may attain a ripe age, since my duties in life have increased immeasurably, and now at last my painful experiences are to be recompensed with that rest and quiet which I hope may bring me to the completion of all the works in which I have been most sorely hindered throughout my past life—with the sole exception of the time spent in your neighbourhood and in the shelter of your friendship.
The Twilight of the Gods is begun; after a certain amount of rest and thought Parsifal is to follow, while there is many another conception within me which promises well for future creativeness. [...]
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Vol. 2, selected and ed. Wilhelm Altmann, trans. M. M. Bozman (J. M. Dent & Sons, 1927), No. 640