Well, you entirely good Mutzinius,
You gave me a great delight with your letter on New Year's Eve. I was in great anxiety again, as you hadn't written for so long, and your last letter had made me fear you were feeling worse. I was on the point of writing to N. when, together with yours, came a letter from Karl announcing his approaching return and at the same time assuring me you were decidedly better than last at Zurich, also that N. had confirmed your feeling better. My God! where would be the use of all the good and the better we hope for this year, if you didn't take such thorough care of yourself that your restoration to health should make you capable of tranquilly enjoying what we hope for? The knowledge that I had been too anxious, and you were in better spirits again, gave me a very pleasant, kindly New Year's Eve. I was glad to hear that you also meant going to bed early that evening, for I had purposed doing just the same myself. I turned in at 11, and my only anxiety was to avoid hearing it strike 12; at last I dozed off: suddenly the tower clock struck; I counted in vexation, but — it struck 5 in the morning. So, slept luckily over into the new year; may you have been equally successful!! —
On New Year's morn I telegraphed to you in the best, serenest humour, and only hope the despatch reached you in good time for breakfast; you must let me know that. In the evening Karl arrived, against my hope; he was in lively vein, and had a lot to tell me, but I didn't get your nice kind presents till next morning. The cigar-cases are famous, and do you great credit, as myself a great pleasure; I return you my best thanks for them. With the so long and ardently desired snuff I really had hard luck: how I was looking forward to the first pinch! Then I am seized by a violent cold in the night, and by morning have lost all sense of smell, so that — when Karl at last brings me the snuff — I have no sensation from the pinch at all! Isn't that shameful?
Your intending to forward me the beautiful piano-rug later really pains me; it looks as if I still had to make myself thoroughly at home here. Nevertheless it will give me great delight to compose the third act of Tristan on your mat, and so I say: Why, send it on as soon as finished! Simply put it in the post; there's always some to-do this end, but that won't matter. When we come together again, though, I shall have to get a small van-load sent after me, I've had to add so many things to my domestic comforts here. —
I have commenced this year with a tranquil mind and honestly good hope. A voice tells me it will be a luck-bringing one, resolving much, and furnishing a good desired solution. To myself it now is also certain that in a few months I shall have obtained my amnesty. Hurry nothing, I beg you; don't ask for that safe-conduct of your own accord. Whatever is the good of first consenting to submit myself for trial, when so much now lets me hope I may assume that I have done enough already with my own two letters, to the King and to Prince Albert, and the result will soon appear entirely of itself? Even Liszt, who always has been dubious, writes me this time (New Year's Eve) that he firmly hopes to see me back in Germany this spring. Anyhow, then, prospects have been opened, so let us wait for the answer from Carlsruhe first; at any rate for that — as we thence shall learn quite plainly how the Saxon Government is minded, and we can direct our further steps accordingly with greater safety, should any such be needed still. I wrote you on this question quite calmly the last time again; let me hope you agree with me that, if it is possible, this agony of a trial etc. must be spared me. No doubt it will not suit the Herr Staatsanwalt, who would like to swell his own importance; nevertheless, however excellent a man he be, I've no desire to gratify him that way. — So — a tiny wait! —
Your communications always give me great delight, especially when they're framed in that humour peculiar to you. I had a good laugh at Fipsel's "mask" and Jacquot's terror of it. The dear good beasts!
The new Tannhäuser performances have been an agreeable surprise to me. Why, you should be quite reviving now, dear Minna, under such fine and refreshing impressions! Wasn't I right when I kept feeling that the Zurich winters, in particular, were bound to have something very depressing for you? My fancy is constantly occupied with my projects for work, which can make me finally forget and do without all else; but you, poor woman, what had you? It really must be quite heartening and livening you up now! — For that matter, I perfectly believe you as regards the Ney; only I mustn't be blamed for not having been able so of a sudden to efface the impression I had gained in London of her personality. So, that has changed now, she has become slim; which of itself does much. I also know quite well what one can do with such a glorious voice; if she gradually makes friends with my music, I've no doubt I shall find in her a very weighty pillar for my further representations in Germany. In that sense this experience has procured me a new, quite unexpected artistic aid, upon which I shall reckon in future. Please call on her, and give her my kindest regards; thank her in my name, and convey her my hopes for the future, for my Isolde, my Brünnhild or Sieglinde, and so forth. — You see, I am no hardened sinner!
I should have written you yesterday or the day before, if I hadn't wanted to wait for a message setting me in certainty whether they had forwarded you twenty louis d'or from Hanover — as I gave orders there. Even yet I've no full confirmation that this has also been done, but merely a general intimation that they will send me the fee for Rienzi (as to which I wrote at last); I'm bound to have the point cleared up, though, within the next few days. If you have received the money, I shall know you're a little flush again for a while, and will make it my first care that you never run dry. Rely upon me. — In general also this sort of affair will soon get into satisfactory trim now, so that I shall soon have discharged my few remaining obligations (the Zurich bills were paid forthwith by Heim out of the 1000 fr. I sent him) and both of us may look forward to a bountiful year free of care. I have particularly great hopes of Vienna; in a few days they'll be giving their 17th performance of Lohengrin, for the benefit of the Pension Fund (better than ever!). In every way Vienna gives me great delight; every remark from there about my opera is always so respectful and unconditionally admiring, that I am bound to infer a great impression. Who knows: Vienna after all, as you have wished so often? — Thus much is certain: if all fruit fails, through Minister v. Bach I can get the Kaiser to allow me access to all his realms in spite of Saxony and German Bund. I have received quite definite hints to that effect. — So — another door would be open! In short, this year I must pass in! May Fipsel only not get too fat by then, but rather lend yourself a little. —
Karl has this moment arrived for his evening call; he is greatly attached to me now, and I have grown equally fond of him. I am trying to help him onward in his works just now; Liszt wants him to write an opera: I am plying him too, and think it will come off; anyhow he has the stuff in him.
For the rest, I'm as well known here already as a spotted dog, particularly through my grey fur-cap; everyone nudges his neighbour and points me out. At the glover's to-day I heard I was the greatest composer of the present day; that comes from the number of visitors, and through Vienna. I have accepted no invitations as yet, and shall abide by it; at the restaurant, however, a little group has already organised which always waits for me there, and with whom I'm glad to chat sans gêne from time to time. There is Prince Dolgoruki, an Austrian Count, a Venetian music-master (a terrible enthusiast of mine), and Winterberger. Others form audience at a distance. —
The good little leg is so-so again; we have splendid weather, and I enjoy my long-discarded promenades once more. May you also be having fine weather at last; enjoy it right calmly and comfortably! But no more punch, please, else I'll peach to Pusinelli! A thing like that won't suit you now. —
Give the excellent N. my very best thanks for her ingenious attending to your Christmas present. How glad I shall be if she proves herself, and becomes what she can and should be to you! Now farewell; a thousand hearty greetings, and God with you! — Soon more and better — once again, Good luck!
Thy R.
Have you distributed the copies of Tristan, like a good girl? Particularly to the Devrient — which interests me highly. And to Ritters? —
Source: Richard to Minna Wagner: Letters to His First Wife, trans. William Ashton Ellis, Vol. 2 (Charles Scribner's Sons, 1909), No. 156