My good Minna,
I'm writing you a few lines to-day just to prevent your getting anxious; I cannot write a proper letter yet, I've not yet settled down. So, merely the following in brief, to ease your mind.
As you will already have heard from me from Mühlhausen, I didn't meet the least obstruction at the frontier; my pass was all in order. The remainder of the journey certainly fatigued me greatly; I don't think, however, it did me any further harm. Arrived in Paris, I rushed off to Belloni: by divine dispensation, he hadn't returned from Weimar yet: and Liszt had sent me a bill of exchange on Paris "payable in 14 days"! On the strength of my letter, however, Belloni's mother had secured me a lodging, and for no less than 60 fr. per month in the Faubourg Montmartre. The room was dark and uninviting, blocked up with cupboards and lumber; nevertheless I submitted, though I remarked at once that there was a deal of street-noise even here. At last — done up and tired as a dog, I go to bed at 10, when a female singer immediately above me commences practising an aria from the Puritani! That lasted until half past 11: imagine my sufferings! — Next day — dog-tired as I was — I started lodging-hunting; I chased around the so-called quiet quarters till I nearly dropped — and found nothing! The whole of my day thereby went to the Devil, and at night again I couldn't really sleep. Finally to-day — in fact I've only just returned from hunting — I have hired another apartment on the 4th floor of a Cité (Cité d'Antin) — 65 fr. It's the quietest of any I have seen, however. Tomorrow midday I move out, so think of coming to a rest at last, and starting my business and labours — especially the translation of my scenario Wieland. Otherwise the delay in Belloni's return is no hindrance to me whatever; I have spoken with Franck, and he told me Belloni had set my affairs well in order.
Now I must lie down a bit; you won't be cross with me for that, dear wife? Ease, ease! To ease your mind as well, however, I assure you that, despite my tiredness, I'm feeling somewhat better; once I have had a thorough sleep, I expect to be in good trim again. If I had anything to fear, it must already have seized me by now; but the mere fact of my not feeling worse to me is a sign I shall soon be quite well. So — farewell for to-day, dear Minel; you shall soon have a longer and better-written letter. I have seen no one but Franck yet, I had too much to do with the lodgings.
Once more, farewell! Keep in good health, and be good to me! Heartiest greetings to our steadfast friends, especially to Boom and Sulzer.
Ah, how I'm longing to leave already!
Farewell,
Thy Richard.
Source: Richard to Minna Wagner: Letters to His First Wife, trans. William Ashton Ellis, Vol. 1 (H. Grevel & Co., 1909), No. 29