My very best Mienel,
A great confusion has arisen, and I'm sorry to say, it hasn't even yet resolved itself into my being able to report to you duly to-day. I received a note from Cecilie, to wit, telling me that N. was leaving Paris the 12th of this month, and would travel to Dresden without any halt. This piece of news so plumped upon me that there naturally was nothing else to do than fold my hands till N. arrived here. Two evenings running has your father been to the railway to receive N., and I instructed Jette to come and tell me at 7 this morning in case N. came last night, so that I might inform you at once; only — the person who doesn't appear to have come is my N., since Jette hasn't shewn her face yet — and now it's half past 8. We needn't grow uneasy, all the same, for I can only suppose that N.'s departure from Paris has been delayed a little — and that no doubt will prove to be so. As soon as N. arrives, she is to have a day's rest at the old man's, and then I shall give her a few thaler to go on with, also a letter, and despatch her to Lotte at Zwickau per post: — that will be right, will it not? After your return, you know, you can go and see her there. For the rest, though cordially enough, Cecilie writes rather touchily — and — perhaps she's not quite wrong. — I enclose you her couple of lines.
Avenarius wrote me, before leaving Leipzig, that he would no longer be able to come to Dresden: if I had anything more to say to him, would I put it in writing. So I just forwarded him his out-of-pockets, and there's an end!
After another talk with Frau Wachter, I have just engaged the maid-servant. She is contented with all your conditions; I gave her a thaler as earnest, and she will put in her appearance a week before Michaelmas. — The fine weather now set in has heartily delighted me for your sake. You will go for good walks now, no doubt, and help Peps hunt for bones! — Your last letter, my good child, I read at 2 on Sunday morning!! Just fancy! After rising at 4 on Saturday again, to finish my big composition, about 8 I received orders to beat up singers and horn-players for an excursion to the Bastei with the Court. Everything went right; at Pillnitz, dinner with the Court; back again there from the Bastei by water, now singing, now blowing. The King was as pleased as Punch, — but it was nearly 2 before we got home again! —
Then I found your letter, and read it with the greatest joy — but I was so fatigued that it was not until I rose that I discovered I had gone to bed in my cravat and stick-up collar. —
That old donkey, Reissiger, has just interrupted me — and now I must dress for the rehearsal of Sonnambula. — As I shall probably be writing you again by next post, about N., I'll conclude for to-day, and salute and kiss you, my dear wife, from my whole, whole heart! — The time when we shall meet again is drawing ever nearer — how happy we shall be! —
Best love, and keep good to me!
Thy Richard.
I had almost forgotten it. My mother is coming to Teplitz on Thursday, and begs you to order her old room, or the next one, at the Blue Angel, also a bedroom at the back for the servant and Klare's children (— who are coming with her); it wasn't to cost more than 4 thaler a week!
Do me the kindness of attending to it.
Source: Richard to Minna Wagner: Letters to His First Wife, trans. William Ashton Ellis, Vol. 1 (H. Grevel & Co., 1909), No. 9