Dear Minna,
I must prepare myself for being severely scolded by you this time!
The evening I wrote you last from Sitten things there became too loathsome for me, and at 10 that night I rapidly made up my mind and took myself off, after transferring the symphony as well to Methfessel. For I learnt that many even of the bandsmen engaged had not turned up, and in fact were not coming at all. That knocked the bottom out of the tub; I could do no else than give the business up — whereby perhaps, if truth were told, I quite suited the feast-givers' book. Methfessel had never seriously believed that I would come, you see, and already had provided for another, easier symphony. Even on my way here I met Dr. Ziegler of Winterthur, who likewise had heard I wasn't coming, and was quite surprised to see me. The gentlemen at Sitten too, a lot of clerics, didn't quite know what to do with me, for doubtless they also could read in my face that the thing would not amuse me. Finally Methfessel had borne all the burdens, rehearsed the choruses with untold pains, and seen to all other arrangements; in return for all which he would have been thrust back by myself, in a sense, to obscurity. Himself he took a positive delight in directing my attention to every defect, so that I could see he would like to be decently rid of me. — I'm therefore convinced I did the right thing in the end, and that these people were secretly satisfied. The Rordorf, for instance, declared at once, she would have been astonished if I had conducted. It was nothing else — as I said before — than a big unmusical village wake: I am certain my inner vexation and shame at the degradingness of my task would have made me turn seriously ill. — I don't imagine much is likely to be said about it: it is to be hoped they'll pull themselves well out — if not, that's their affair; never in my life will I take part in any "Music-feast," everything has turned out so badly, and worse than I feared. —
So be reasonable yourself, dear Muzius, and don't make me any fuss!!! —
At first I was so put out, that I meant to travel home direct. In the end Karl succeeded, however, in tying me to his house a bit longer; he has abandoned me a little sitting-room with a lovely view, where I can work undisturbed the whole morning; which I also intend doing for the present. So it provisionally abides by the latest arrangement I wrote you; if all goes well, and I remain in the humour, I shall wait here till your 4th week of cure, and then come — by whichever road it be — and fetch you home (with Sulzer). Consequently I have nothing fresh to write you upon that.
Only one letter has been sent after me, a mile-long one from Kietz, from Rome still; he writes of almost nothing save the fleas. He sends you many greetings. —
It is to be hoped N. has sent you my shoes; I think they will do you good service. — How goes it with the cure? are you right already in the body? — How I look forward to finding you perfectly well! —
Above all, don't take the Sitten tale amiss, or make me any reproaches! Never again will I stoop to anything so paltry and pettifogging. —
I hope to have another letter from you soon; what you write me, rest assured, ever affords me great pleasure, especially when you give rein to your wit, which suits you very well.
The Karlery sends best greetings; and your poor excellent husband lays himself humbly at the feet of his precious dame as Her Majesty's most obedient Man.
Direct your next letter: à Monsieur R. W., chez Mr. Rivaz, à Collonges près Montreux, Canton de Vaud.
Source: Richard to Minna Wagner: Letters to His First Wife, trans. William Ashton Ellis, Vol. 1 (H. Grevel & Co., 1909), No. 64