My good Minna,
Here I am in Bordeaux, waiting eagerly for a letter from you, which is at the same time to tell me if you aren't a little cross at this trip of mine? Put yourself in my place, however, when I inform you that just after taking my last letter to you to the Paris post I finally learnt that my overture cannot be given at all this winter, as sufficient rehearsals to get up this "difficult" work could not be held in time for the last concert, end of March. I must confess I burst out laughing — really, I hadn't believed things so dowdy as that! Not a trace have I had of Belloni yet; just as little of Liszt! In such circumstances any other than I — who all along had simply forced myself — would have lost all inclination. I was truly joyful when I turned my back on this Paris I detest so, and only wish I had no need whatever to visit it again. Still, I'll just see if Belloni writes to me — when he does get back to Paris — and in any case I must return via Paris, as I've still a few things to attend to there. —
Here in Bordeaux, where I arrived last Saturday, I am bound to feel almost in Heaven, compared with Paris; you can form no idea of the kindness and devotion of this family! It consists of the young married couple and the wife's mother, an Englishwoman who — equally with the husband, who was educated at the Blochmann institute in Dresden — speaks German as well as ourselves. Moreover, there is a whole colony of Germans here, rich families all, and all of them honour me highly. What else shall I say to you, than that it certainly is very good for me to have become personally acquainted in this fashion with the dear souls who have no higher ambition now than to make myself and my good, sore-tried, and faithful wife as happy as ever they're able? It is a rare and unheard-of good fortune, that has come my way. The young husband, a most charmingly sociable fellow, shewed a quite indescribable delight when he saw me arrive; my works are known here to their last note, and all are aware what the question is, and proud to be of such assistance to me. — On one point, however, I've much ado: as soon as my hosts heard that nothing had come of my overture for the end of March, they naturally importuned me to stay here longer. But I explained to them that I should have to help you in the moving, and — honestly — in spite of all the joy I'm tasting now, my whole heart is yearning to be back at home with you! Believe me, I know no other happiness, than to be able to live contentedly and tranquilly beside you in our own little domicile; that I now may hope to see your cares allayed, and fortitude and cheerfulness re-entering your heart — ay, body — 'tis that which makes me well again myself and happy. Moreover, Bordeaux is a wilderness which no one of our temperament can stand for long; even my friends feel themselves out of the world here, and in spite of this excellent family, at no price would I exchange our Switzerland for Bordeaux, I've such a Swiss home-sickness. Ah, Nature! that is something to your partner, after all! To lead a happy unmolested life with you, dear Minna, in that glorious fresh Alpine world, is the highest bliss I can desire!
Perhaps my joy will have a bitter taste to you, for this letter may possibly find you in the thick of great cares — especially about the dwelling. Please set my mind at rest on this soon, and tell me if Sulzer has succeeded in keeping the promise he wrote me to Paris, to find us a pleasant abode? Then write me whether you are well yourself, and if the removal isn't troubling you? Müller once told me, at Zurich they don't hurry one out, and one can arrange it fairly at one's own convenience; therefore I am convinced that Escher — if you beg him — will allow you a long limit for getting our things out, or obtain it us from our successors: just say I can't return yet. Then write me, dear wife, until what date the moving-out can be put off, that I may arrange my return accordingly. I don't know whether Belloni has arrived in Paris, but in any case he'll soon be getting there, and it perhaps would be as well if I still could spend a little time with him discussing and arranging something; I don't want to leave a single stone unturned. So write me the latest limit. And now, good Minel, you must also write me whether you have been able to procure yourself at Zurich that black dress you wanted: if not — that I may get it for you here, or else in Paris. Bobin of the Palais Royal no longer exists, but you shall have shoes notwithstanding; so write me the exact number again, or — better — put a thread of the right length in your letter. Dear child, if you only are well and in a good disposition! That is my sole concern, — for everything else is ordered well now: — I tell you, they are caring for us as loving parents for their children. Only one thing is accounted a fault in me by the Laussots: if I keep silence to them on anything of weight, any real anxiety. You have no notion of these people's heavenly kindness and affection! Perhaps the wife, at least, will visit us in Switzerland some day, to convince herself that we are satisfied and lacking nothing.
So farewell for to-day, my dear Wife. Be of good cheer, forget all sorrows, and rejoice in the affection we enjoy! Keep well, and write me soon! A thousand salutes and kisses from
Thy R. W.
(Address: Mr. Eugène Laussot, 26, cours du 30 Juillet, Bordeaux.)
Source: Richard to Minna Wagner: Letters to His First Wife, trans. William Ashton Ellis, Vol. 1 (H. Grevel & Co., 1909), No. 35