Dear Minna,
Merely a couple of lines to-day at random: I presume you are at Leipzig. — So soon as you know anything certain about Frankfort, please write at once to Louis Schindelmeisser, grossherzogl. Hofkapellmeister in Darmstadt (nice and distinctly), telling him when you can get to Darmstadt. Then he'll answer you to Frankfort, whether and when he can give you a Lohengrin performance. Tell him to address "beim Herrn Kapellmeister G. Schmidt," — that will be the best plan. I have provisionally told him you would be at Frankfort toward the 24th. —
Liszt has written me somewhat touchily: You were actually in Germany now; were you going to leave Weimar in the lurch? — His letter crossed my own, however, in which I had already acquainted him. Probably you will have had word from him by now; but in any case you must visit him. —
Schmidt has written you also, has he not? —
Your being troubled with a complaint of the eyes has greatly distressed me; it gave me quite a shock when I received a letter in Alwine's hand. It is to be hoped you have recovered by now. —
My God, I had no desire to make you heavy-hearted, or debar you from anything: — but — when you are back here at last — let me out with it! — it will be just what I like. —
However — for that sake miss nothing which affords you pleasure — do you hear?? —
I hope you'll have also recovered from the petty impressions by now. I am very eager for your next letter from Berlin. — You will have seen the Kladderadatsch in person, won't you?
I have nothing at all to announce you from here; nothing ever happens. Herr Dir. Walther passed on a long letter from Julius; when you see the latter, simply tell him that nothing would come of it. —
Best love to the Leipzig brood — hold me dear — and above all, come back in perfect health!
This the chief wish of
Thy R.
Source: Richard to Minna Wagner: Letters to His First Wife, trans. William Ashton Ellis, Vol. 1 (H. Grevel & Co., 1909), No. 72