My dear Mienel,
If these lines obey my fondest wish, they'll find you in good health! Will you be cross with me if I acquaint you that I have formed a swift decision, finally accepted the most cordial and pressing invitation of my friends in Bordeaux — as they even sent my travelling-expenses — and am starting for Bordeaux tomorrow morning? Remember, I'm completely useless here, simply consuming myself with worry and fruitless endeavours. Belloni has not yet arrived!!! Even of my wretched overture no rehearsals can be held yet; only for the end of this month have I been given a prospect of rehearsals. Just imagine my position here, dear wife! If it weren't for this Bordeaux family, and had they not cared so well for us meanwhile, — I believe I should not be alive! Now they have urgently begged me to break my stay here and refresh myself by a visit to them, I confess I gladly gave my consent to these benefactors, most of whom I do not even know by sight. And if I meant to visit them, this was the very best time: if my overture still comes to performance, it will be next Sunday fortnight: I can be back here by then, and in the first week of April be back at last with my dear wife, whom I then can help with the removal also, not to leave everything on her one pair of shoulders. That will be the thing, Minnako, won't it? and you're satisfied with my decision? I hope so! —
My nervous exhaustion has vanished, only the weakness on the chest and the pains round the heart still remain with me. I hope for full recovery as soon as I've got clean away from this useless desert of a Paris life! No matter, though: I had to make this fresh experience before finally clearing up my mind about this place; spare me the need of dilating, just now, on the impossibility of my having anything to do with it. Merely thus much: it is precisely to prevent my undertaking anything against my nature and inmost inclination, to save me from all — entirely useless and fruitless — annoyance here, that the Laussot has acted toward me as she has; and — think of this — she and Frau Ritter are offering us the yearly income all alone, nobody else has a hand in it, no middleman, no banker! — You should but know this lady's happiness, after receipt of your letter, at being able to hope she has quite reassured yourself as well, and won you to my future plan of life! Her husband also speaks and writes German quite fluently, so that we all — for her mother is at Bordeaux too — shall be able to converse without impediment. I confess it rejoices me greatly, to think that I shall be bringing into the life of this remarkably amiable family so rare a diversion — as far as my powers permit — as the playing and singing them something from Lohengrin. —
So, dear wife, write your next letter to me to Bordeaux, at the address you know. May Sulzer only have succeeded in finding you a suitable dwelling by now, so that you may be free of that care! Then I hope to be able in any case to assist you in the moving.
Farewell, dear Minna; best wishes all round! Nette must pin her hopes on nothing here, — I'm sorry, since she seems intent on leaving: I have done my best. Greet Peps and Papo, and tell them it will be a long time before I forsake them again; that's certain, the parting is too insupportable. Farewell and stay fond of
Thy Richard.
Source: Richard to Minna Wagner: Letters to His First Wife, trans. William Ashton Ellis, Vol. 1 (H. Grevel & Co., 1909), No. 34