Dear Mienel,
Ridicule me as much as you will, I'm turning tail! I have taken my place for the homeward journey via the Lago Maggiore already; a telegram has also just gone off, which — as I couldn't get it through in German — I have despatched to Sulzer, that he may bring it you nicely translated, and so no confusion arise. If you follow that despatch's invitation, to be sure, this letter will not reach your hands until after our joint return; but in case your health should not permit you to come as far as Flüelen to meet me, you'll receive this letter just before my own return, presumably Saturday morning 10th, whereas I hope to be with you by Saturday evening. — My decision to turn back was unavoidable after my thoroughly convincing myself how things stood with me. At Spezia yesterday, so soon as I conceived the thought of turning home, my whole state of health promptly grew better; and with a certain cheerfulness I mounted the mail which has brought me to Genoa, where I meant to determine in fine. Hardly had my improvement betrayed me into resuming my former plan of travel and deciding on the tour to Nice, however, than the old discomfort instantly recurred, and I could only dislodge it by a prompt and firm conclusion for return, when I got better at once.
I should have started this very evening, if I hadn't to wait until tomorrow morning for a letter that has gone to Spezia by my previous orders, and therefore crossed me. So don't you write me any more, nor forward any letters. Next Saturday (!!!) you shall hear 100,000 things by mouth from your good ice-bird and loving husband Richard.
To a merry meeting!
Should you have to go to Baden now, why, go of course; I can come to you there, and be at home just the same.
Adieu, good Mienel and Pepsel.
Source: Richard to Minna Wagner: Letters to His First Wife, trans. William Ashton Ellis, Vol. 1 (H. Grevel & Co., 1909), No. 56