'Twas in the lovely month of May that Richard Wagner burst his shell: therein had he prolonged his stay, his best friends think it were as well.
Thus I congratulate myself in the name of you all for my birthday!
I've simply nothing to write you to-day, dear Minna, beyond my anxiety lest my letter to Sulzer with the bill of exchange may not have arrived safely, as I haven't yet heard from him, though he easily might have dropped me a couple of lines. I sent him that letter last Saturday — a week from to-day — consequently he must have received it Tuesday morning. Your writing me on Tuesday (15. May) without any mention of it, I explained to myself yesterday on the simple assumption that you posted your letter to me in the afternoon, whilst Sulzer did not call on you till evening. But then you could have written me on Wednesday, to relieve my mind about the bill's arrival? However, that's always the way; what I expect for quite certain, is never punctual in turning up, and so my head is always filled with nothing but unrest. Neither has Hülsen answered me as yet. On the other hand a young man here, son of a deceased tailor at Riga, has presented a bill for over 34 roubles; with the best conscience I don't know if I really owe the money still. In any case it is unpleasant for me to have to refuse the young fellow, who was quite delighted at the prospect of recovering the sum here — where I stand in such glory. It's a veritable joy. If this ragamuffin world becomes too mad for me ere long, I shall clothe myself in sackcloth and ashes; but of a certainty I also shall make no more music then: you may all depend on that. —
For the rest, I thank you profusely for your yesterday's pink letter. I shall have to forgive your repeated enquiry touching my debt to Karl Ritter, together with your singular allusions to "after-pains from Sitten," since I unfortunately have had to accustom myself to seeing things brought on the carpet again and again by you after they had been fully discussed and set right. Therefore it shall not vex me to explain to you once more that from Zurich in September of last year I borrowed 1000 thaler (3800 fr.) from Karl, to pay off pressing debts, which he has refunded to himself by keeping back my year's allowance: 1500 fr. last autumn, 1500 fr. this April, and 800 fr. next autumn. Accordingly, instead of my having to devote my takings to repaying Karl, they have been employed to fill the place of that withheld allowance; which comes to the same thing, only that their incoming was not so regular. Now that is at an end, however, through Berlin and my London savings. — So set your mind at rest on this point also. — But next time you are writing me to London, please ask me questions about other things; I have disagreeables and annoyances enough here already, God knows! —
— I will attend to the cotton stockings with pleasure. I have abandoned all idea of gifts for our acquaintances; I think you are quite right. Next time I'll write you all particulars about my advent; I fancy we had better stay a week at Zurich first, and not go to Seelisberg till after that — as you originally proposed; but you might as well order our rooms in advance. — I'm very sorry for Baumgartner's misfortune; give him my condolence. —
It continues cold and wintry here. Yesterday I had a call from Dr. Franck, who means to get his son trained in the English marine. Tomorrow I'm invited by Ellerton. Otherwise my life is supremely amusing, glorious and gay, as you indeed will suppose. Yesterday I took to sweating again. — Reassure me about your health; it is to be hoped you'll soon be looking out for a good maid. I have a good, handy and willing indoor servant here; shall I bring him with me? — I know of absolutely nothing fresh, but am very uneasy about Sulzer's silence concerning the draft; let us hope a letter from him is already on the road.
Best greetings to the house; I shall thoroughly appreciate the week there. The inner affliction I put up with at having to abide by this mortifying engagement here, I can hardly express. Be glad you're unacquainted with that sort of affliction. — Take care of your health: The most instant request of
Thy R.
Source: Richard to Minna Wagner: Letters to His First Wife, trans. William Ashton Ellis, Vol. 1 (H. Grevel & Co., 1909), No. 91