Best Minel,
A tiny report in hot haste! — Yesterday's fete went off very well, my chorus decidedly bearing off the victory over Mendelssohn's, which had no effect and remained unintelligible. — Lindenau confessed this to me to-day quite candidly, and assured me the whole Court was of the same opinion. — The Lord Steward has just conveyed me in the name of the King a gold snuffbox, very solid, with splendid embossing. — So — a gold snuffbox too, now — out of that you'll always have to take a pinch, however strong the tobacco, you good foolish, very best Minel, you!
You don't write me at all! What can be the meaning of it? Have you already struck up with another? Just wait, and you'll catch it! —
Full speed ahead for the Apostles' Liebesmahl now! This evening we have Norma, with the Werthmuller, — the rubbish! —
Kindest regards to the Mama! — Pebs is to behave himself nicely, or I shan't shew him my gold snuffbox. Adieu, you dear, dear, good Wife! I am ever and always near you with my whole full heart!
Thy Richard.
Source: Richard to Minna Wagner: Letters to His First Wife, trans. William Ashton Ellis, Vol. 1 (H. Grevel & Co., 1909), No. 6