A thousand thanks, dearest Richard, for your kind letter. May the treacherous fate which has hitherto kept us apart soon be vanquished for ever. No one can understand better than I that a fragmentary performance of Tristan must appear quite absurd to you. I thank you for the gentle manner in which you reply to my proposal, and take into account the narrow circumstances and resources which impede my activity. You cannot believe how painful it is to me not to be able to do anything proper for your honour, benefit, and use. For several years all my steps and efforts in that direction have been in vain; otherwise, not only Tristan but The Ring of the Nibelung would be in existence and do wonders. I was told several times, and positively assured, that everything would be done here to further your efforts, and especially to effect the performance of The Nibelungen and of Tristan. I, for my part, have clearly demonstrated, by word of mouth and by letter, what they would have to do, viz., to invite you here for the purpose of mounting and conducting those works in accordance with your instructions and wishes. But the whole plan was always wrecked on the score of expenses.
I will not trouble you with the details of this affair, the failure of which, between ourselves, was my chief reason for giving up my connection with our theatre altogether.
The Carlsruhe performance of Tristan in September will be a great joy to me. The Grand Duke of Baden be praised and thanked for it. You will reward his kindness and grace in a glorious manner.
What will become of me in the course of this year is quite uncertain. First of all I shall see you in Paris.
An answer would be too late to find me here.
Source: Project Gutenberg eBook #4234, Correspondence of Wagner and Liszt — Volume 2, No. 314