I've only just received your telegraphic answer, dear Minna! You cannot have written the first sentence quite plainly; it was pure nonsense till an inspiration came to me that it should run: "Karl seit heut hier" — instead of which it said, "Nurt seit heut sieger." — Your letter had already reassured me: everything arrives here very late. To-day, however, I merely wanted to retrieve what I couldn't write more fully yesterday. So, I have had to move out, and therefore to renounce the lovely solitude of my garden-house; that sort of joy seems really not appointed me, and all my life I shall have to suffer from disturbance, disquiet and outward commotion: if only I be not made entirely unfit for further work through no prospect ever opening to me of a pleasant, quiet refuge for my home! — already I've highly taxed my nerve-endurance.
In no case should I have removed to where I'm staying now, had I had nothing but commencement of my work in view; but I have been feeling more and more that the first question could only be the restoration of my health, and in that respect I believe I have done very right. Even Dr Coindet, to whom R. recommended me, was startled when I shewed him R.'s prescriptions, especially about the sulphur baths, and told me to entrust myself regarding baths to Dr Vaillant, who presides over an institute here, and not to do too much. Well, scarcely had I installed the baths with difficulty — in strict pursuit of R.'s instructions — when I fell into such a fluster again that I didn't know what to do with myself. Dr Vaillant, to whom I addressed myself anent the ordinary baths, was horrified when he heard of the sulphur baths, and implored me to stop them at once; with which I very willingly complied. Under Vaillant's treatment, I feel considerably better since; he is handling me with uncommon care, extremely cautiously and soothingly, and getting at the mischief's seat so thoroughly that I already have the greatest trust in him — which he seems to have won from others also, for it is he who was summoned to Florence express by Rossini, and owing to whose advice the latter is so much better now than 2 years back. In short, my health is now ensured, and I recognise that R.'s quacksalveries, just as they haven't yet cured me, would never have thoroughly healed me; consequently the drug-shop, God willing, shall cost me nothing more. — But please tell Heim, the only thing Vaillant allows me to take internally is Carlsbad salt. — As to my life here otherwise, I'll write you more another time; the situation is splendid, the air wonderful, and the garden walks most agreeable. Fips finds much amusement in them, and is making himself quite at home. About him, too, another time. — But now to conclude with something serious! —
Dearest Minna, N. must go: there's nothing else for it. Rather put up with anything, than this everlasting provocation, recurring every instant, which not only is hurtful to yourself, but truly sours my life. It is utterly impossible to accustom her to our persons; it would be a misfortune for her, as well as for us, if she remained any longer. I cannot tell you how our domestic life is spoilt for me by this eternal irritation, which I partly observe in you, partly also feel myself; no longer can I tolerate this everlasting scolding, occasion for which never ceases, alas; and you are ruining your health with it, just as it is completely hardening N. and estranging her from us. God knows what her future is to be, as she is so totally unfit for household duties; but thus much is certain, in other social relations, such as at Zwickau perhaps, she will get on better, and also lead a more contented life herself. For all that, she shall not be abandoned by us, and I therefore pledge myself for good and all to pay her the 100 fr. quarterly your good parents received before. That shall be an absolute fixture; consequently I don't think she will prove a burden to anybody, and even the Trögers will be sure to take her willingly into their house on this condition. I beg you, make the settlement of this affair your chiefest care now, and — if possible — get rid of her before I return; for, I swear it, this disturbance — and vexation — in the house is a terrible strain on me. If my circumstances improve — toward which I shall take steps — we're sure to find a suitable young person soon, to fill the place we intended for N.; you might even begin to think of it now, and any handy girl may congratulate herself on entering such an agreeable relation as N. might have had if she had possessed but a modicum of the qualifications. — Now you know my opinion! —
So farewell for to-day, dear old woman; I dreamt of you quite vividly the other night! Lord, if I could have anything like an agreeable, quiet, semi-rural abode, and kind, congenial household, I am the most domesticated man in the world and never should wish myself anywhere else for a moment: in a strange house like this I'm always very dull and mopish. So adieu!
The best of wishes from
Thy Rich.
Fips is unceasingly on the watch again. — To-day the weather has also turned fine. I have obtained a piano from Geneva, for diversion at least. Please send me the musical and illustrated journals in wrapper — it won't cost much. Perhaps also the 3 volumes of Beethoven's sonatas, but in a parcel — otherwise I shan't be able to hold out.
Source: Richard to Minna Wagner: Letters to His First Wife, trans. William Ashton Ellis, Vol. 1 (H. Grevel & Co., 1909), No. 104