I've nothing in particular to write you, dearest Minna; yet your letter just received induces me at least to give you a faint sign of life. — I should hardly have thought you would have taken my brief hint so gloomily and glumly. It's to be hoped my last letter will have agreeably dispelled all your fears, and taught you the contrary; for you will have seen by it that I'm feeling the need of a fixed place of residence more keenly than ever, and even longish summer outings have now become a nuisance to me, since they never afford what one seeks, nor that which a snug hearth of one's own, meeting all one's requirements, alone can supply. So I need waste no more words on it, as you will know exactly what I had in mind. Surely you are pleased with me? —
As I believe I may look towards my amnestying, which will make it possible to take a trip to Germany from time to time — especially in the winter half-year — at first I merely thought of procuring ourselves a fixed summer residence, and therefore cast my eye on Brunnen, with nothing but a smaller pied-à-terre at Zurich. However, I soon reflected how disagreeable it would be for yourself in particular to go through a removal once a year, to say nothing of accompanying me on each of my possible trips to Germany and so leaving the house and our domestic pets forlorn. Wherefore I tightened my hold on the plan of obtaining the long-wished-for estate near to Zurich itself, where everything could remain in like order both winter and summer, and pursue its even course; till at last I have hit on the right way of procuring the money in the most honourable fashion, and I am sure in any case to get from Härtels as much as is needful for the purchase and erection — by which I mean twenty thousand francs. — I have already written Wesendonck about it too. — As I am detained here by my cure, and cannot be back before the middle of August, I beg you to pave the way for me nicely by your best enquiries and commissionings, so that — if all goes well — the building may be commenced the beginning of September, and the foundation-stone laid by yourself on the 5th (your birthday). That shall be your birthday-present this time! —
Only let us come to a thorough understanding about the situation of the property. The closer to town, the better I shall like it, and — the harder will it also be to find to suit. As I wrote you previously, I don't set much on an extensive view: one gets that on one's walks; but I set everything on a quiet, un-cooped situation, with big trees: and we probably shall find the latter in particular only at some distance from the city. Don't be afraid of that, however, but overcome your timidness for my sake; for your comfort I draw your notice to the following: — Sooner or later I shall invest in a horse and carriage: when I have no more rent to pay — which stands in prospect — I can apply the money to that purpose; meantime the new Zurich droschkes, with which one could make a contract, would stand us in good stead. In any case we shall engage a man: I have considered the means, and we couldn't possibly do without one; so you'll be well protected, even if I go away for a couple of weeks in the winter and you don't want to accompany me. Please don't fear solitude: I love it beyond measure; and then remember the company you'll always be having, and what occupation the fowls, turkeys, ducks, etc., will give you even in the winter; so that, what with myself, N. (or another feminine companion), a maid and a man, big dog and little, parrot and so on, you are sure not to feel yourself lonely. For my own part I'm looking forward to that loneliness as if to Heaven, and after every little outing full of toil and agitation, I shall always be only too glad to get back to recover. —
So, do your business well! I am most eager for your reports, and to know if you're fortunate. The future architect Alter must know of something. —
Otherwise I am doing well; my cure is forging ahead, and every week I feel the progress toward a thorough restoration. As to the character of this establishment, I can fully explain it to you only by mouth; but take my word for it, I had no notion before of such a careful treatment, or one that so completely suited me. The company isn't large, and offers no temptation at all. I take my dinner at the general table, whither Fips always accompanies me: make your mind easy about it; he is very popular, and unfortunately gets more to eat than I like. For the rest, I'm living very comfortably, and you would have thought yourself in Heaven, compared with the Seelisberg; whatever it is, it isn't such a band-box. However, since your indisposition was merely transitory, as you declare, I can find no fault with you for having returned home, where you'll be able to do good service to our plan, and whither I shall return direct myself, by the shortest route, on the completion of my cure. — So farewell, good old girl, soon to be landed proprietress! Keep well, and good to me. —
Liszt has written me very amiably. Touching my Pardon, he earnestly begs me to let no one hear anything of it, though he firmly hopes I may be able to visit him so early as this winter. A general amnesty is in preparation, it appears. Liszt comes the end of September. —
For 3 performances Berlin has brought me in 900 fr. again, which I have had despatched to Sulzer. —
You say nothing at all about that charming Dr. Burkhart? (Eh! Eh!)
Source: Richard to Minna Wagner: Letters to His First Wife, trans. William Ashton Ellis, Vol. 1 (H. Grevel & Co., 1909), No. 109