Dearest Minna,
You gave me a miserable night with your unlucky Hotel de Lyon, which had another landlord 8 years back, and appears to have come down in the world since. I arrived at ½ past 11, and hunted out a passable room for 3 francs at last: when I examined it closer, the door gaped half an inch; the chimney smoked. Very good: finally I get to bed, and the rattle of traffic literally doesn't cease the whole night; stupid fool that I am, I hadn't reflected that this is the noisiest spot in all Paris, immediately off the Rue Richelieu. I scarcely closed my eyes, and the first thing in the morning I went to the new big Hotel du Louvre, where I simply asked for a quietly situated room at 3 francs. I was given one on the 3rd floor at once, looking on to the courtyards; small, but everything very clean and solid; a large fauteuil, even though no sofa. No din of traffic, since the adjoining Rue Rivoli is not paved; in short, just what I want. Every visitor to Paris should go to the Hotel du Louvre; you simply ask for what you seek, and get it, from the most sumptuous apartment to the plainest and cheapest. And then one isn't gêné in any way; if one likes, one can dine in the hotel restaurant à la carte, which I much prefer; I can always get my fish and veal-cutlet there. In brief, I am glad to see peaceful nights before me; also I have no neighbours. —
As I have only just unpacked, am fearfully tired, and naturally have been able to make a commencement with nothing as yet, I really shouldn't have thought of writing you to-day if it hadn't been for the address. Kietz met me at Epernay, at the station; he can't come to Paris, at present, which is a pity for me and seemed to cause him great regret. He entreated me by all that's holy to spend a day with him and Chandon on my journey home. — The letter from yourself and Praeger I fetched from Kietz's portière this morning, and had to pay 16 sous for it, as the postage was insufficient, and it had been treated as unfranked. Please enquire at the Post exactly what a letter costs to Paris; it goes much by the weight. If you come by any money, I would rather you franked every time till I have some; naturally my exchequer isn't at its best. From Strassburg itself, however, I took fresh steps to provide us with money, and I think the pinch will soon be over. —
Praeger's letter was very important to me; it gives me useful addresses, and saves many enquiries. — Now I must write to Dresden again, to prevent their dawdling with the despatch of my operas. — I shall make a start with my affairs tomorrow, and shan't write you again till I can report how things stand and when I may hope to depart. —
I'm delighted you have slept so well; only continue going to bed early, as soon as ever sleep comes on. Fips's not eating for my sake shews him from an entirely new side, and makes his character doubly precious to me. Shake his paw! Send me word soon that you have received money and your heart is beating tranquilly. Farewell and hold me thoroughly dear — in spite of all the faults and turpitudes I have. We must really try and pull along together now; and at bottom things are going quite passably, even though I unfortunately have more fame than money. And you have seen for yourself now, that it isn't the ... alone: all the securer can you feel about me. The embarrassment on account of my journey really has preyed on my mind, and indeed I'm more a man of feeling than you think!
Now keep well, and soon rejoice me with good tidings!
Thy Richard.
Address: Monsieur Richard Wagner, Grand Hotel du Louvre (No. 364), à Paris.
Source: Richard to Minna Wagner: Letters to His First Wife, trans. William Ashton Ellis, Vol. 1 (H. Grevel & Co., 1909), No. 115