[...] I am thinking of asking for my friends' advice as to whether I should apply to the Emperor to cover any deficit. A single bold attack would make it clear whether my labours are to be rewarded merely by the distribution of Orders to the participants or whether they are to be directly recognised in the only way I could acknowledge as recognition, namely, by the covering of expenses, which most certainly ought not to become a burden upon me. Also, this might perhaps pave the way towards bringing my petition for future support for the Bayreuth Dramatic Festival before the Imperial Council as an Imperial Government measure. Fortunately, it only needs a certain amount of time to clear this matter up, and time we still have, as the business has not to be finally settled till November.
I received a very fine letter from the King in Venice. He exhorts me to patience and perseverance, and he will put my affairs before everything else.
Consequently, I hope to see everything wound up before the end of this year, and at the New Year to be able to begin preparing for a repetition of the Festival. This last costs me great self-denial for, particularly if I get the necessary recognition and support, I shall feel bound to take a very strenuous and active part in correcting the performances of my personnel, and I have little spirit or inclination for that at present. [...]
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Vol. 2, selected and ed. Wilhelm Altmann, trans. M. M. Bozman (J. M. Dent & Sons, 1927), No. 691