My Spouse,
So, a week from tomorrow I shall reach you again. On the Monday I still have a rendezvous with the Wesendoncks at Berne, for which he pressed me, as I had declared I couldn't visit them at Thun. — Will Klare really have arrived by then?
My God, I have nothing at all to write you of my terribly monotonous life here; I'm at the end of the cure now, and merely have still to recover from the exhausting treatment in its middle: by mouth on all that. I now enjoy good sleep and an agreeable calming of my whole nervous system; I've no more terror of the Rose, as I have my health completely in my hands now, and simply need to live accordingly, to be secure against relapses. —
By chance I knew all of your news, even the story of Bohland's going mad in Dresden. I have my sources, you see! Many thanks for the Illustrirte, though I could have dispensed with that also now; Lord knows, I've grown entirely indifferent to everything that's going on. — On the other hand I have to inform you that Härtels' definitive answer arrived to-day; it confirms all my hopes, and through the contract soon to be concluded I am placed in the position to proceed to the execution of my project without any fear, as I shall obtain all needful means for it thereby. I must admit I have gained great respect for Härtels. I am to receive from them fifteen thousand francs cash in 3 instalments, and the interest on another fifteen thousand francs throughout my life and yours; so that I have 30,000 frc. at my disposal, which ought to suffice, I imagine, if the property were sought and found a little farther from Zurich — not quite in the immediate vicinity (where it certainly is dear — indeed impossible). —
Nevertheless I honestly hope the Bodmer business may come off; if I can get a life-lease of their property, one could fit it up quite nicely for oneself, and we really have no use for a hereditament. So do your share; I shall write Frau Wesendonck this very day, and follow your advice. But time presses; the season is already advanced, and I should like to know where I am, not to lose the chance of being able to work away in the quiet of a pleasant home next summer. —
So you see I'm doing all I can, and have already succeeded in drawing money from my work; rejoice me in exchange with thoroughly good news on my return. Fare excellently well! If you write me once more by return (assuming that to be Thursday) the letter will still catch me at Geneva. Adieu, dearest old woman!
Thy R.
I've flea'd Fips again to-day!
Source: Richard to Minna Wagner: Letters to His First Wife, trans. William Ashton Ellis, Vol. 1 (H. Grevel & Co., 1909), No. 113