So, dearest Minna, I'm installed once again. I am uncommonly pleased, and find myself very comfortable. It would be impossible, too, to be better lodged; this marvellous view on every side, an elegant large salon, every convenience, excellent attendance, and — the only person in all the house. What more could I wish? The mountain air is doing me a deal of good again. The walks are heavenly, much more beautiful and varied than at Zurich. I'm feeling very well. My having absolutely no acquaintance here is also of some account. Boredom — God knows — I never suffer from; on the contrary, rather too much occupation, so that I cannot even get much reading. The whole morning till 4 belongs to my work, which I resumed yesterday; then after dinner I make my big promenade until 7, rest it off a little, drink my tea about 8, read the newspapers, write a letter, and usually am so sleepy by 10 that I cannot so much as open a regular book. I won't say this is to continue for the rest of my life, but it suits this last spell of work at Tristan admirably; afterwards I think of making a longish pause and mixing more with people, for which I shall have opportunity enough in Paris.
The piano unfortunately arrived somewhat later than I had expected after my precautions. In the first place, conveyance in Italy was much hindered by the enormous army-transport, which absorbs every truck; and then the poor chap had to wait a long time on the Gotthardt before the bad weather and quantity of freshly-fallen snow would let him pass. Nevertheless he was still quite in good tune, so that I was able to dismiss the tuner again. It really is an incredible instrument, for which I mean to revenge myself duly some day. Naturally your foot-mat is with it; but I've had yet another great joy. I had written to Heim about my big divan, as I could beat up nothing like it here; several other things were packed with it, as you will know, and among them — the beautiful Swan rug. Well, I haven't spread it out badly before the divan, so that I feel quite at home already. I really set very much store on one's abode and everything connected therewith, — of course I'm not dictating anything to you in this regard, but console myself with the thought that, if you're not better fended, after all it isn't my fault, as I heartily wish it you and am doing all I can towards it.
Nothing further has occurred yet; but I have to keep answering useless letters, such as Prager's, and of late again honorary diplomas from Holland and suchlike absurdities. Since absolutely nothing can happen round about me, moreover, I hardly know whence to draw matter for tidings. You at all events are living in the big world, and can let the swan in Berlin nod you something which appears to have made a great impression on you. All due respect for your assurances, however, with the best will I can't yet form a favourable idea of the Berlin production; everything is strictly insufficient there, and not a single singer fit. At no price should I care — unprepared — to witness such a representation. In Vienna, on the contrary, I would have gone straight to the theatre to see Lohengrin without a qualm; by all accounts the production there has been extraordinarily happy. For instance, the first big (long??) scene in the 2nd act, between Ortrud and Friedrich, is said to create a furore every time; both seem to be equally excellent. No, when I think of that Berlin Krause, I can't help bursting out laughing, and try to blot the whole Berlin picture from my imagination at once. — At Dresden everything is sure to be better; indeed the singers are so well suited, that my only fear is for the Kapellmeister, who is certainly incapable of seizing aught in the affair. Let's see, then! —
That the L.s also intend going to Paris this autumn, was a — very disagreeable piece of news to me. In my life I unfortunately have often had to do with riff-raff, and my only true progress consists in having cut myself more and more adrift from such worthless connections. But I consider the L.s, in fact both of them, quite ragamuffins in Sulzer's downright sense, and her moreover such a shameless, dishonourable beggar and swindler that I'm really filled with apprehension by the thought of living in the same place with these people again, and being exposed at every moment to the wife's sponging on the tolerable competence I hope for. I am really so outspoken, dear Minna, as to call your present intimacy with this lady a great weakness, and to reckon it to you as such; and if it were only for reason of my rooted dislike of this woman, perhaps I might hope that out of regard for me, who never force my likes upon yourself, you would somewhat restrain your relations with her. Maybe I've nothing further in my mind at present, than the vexation it would cause me if this female swindler should wheedle you out of some of the money I have assigned to your comfort with such great delight; but that's certain to happen. In Italy I heard things about this lady which really make me frankly determined to hold her at arm's length. Enough — it is and always will be a pair of ragamuffins living uselessly and aimlessly from hand to mouth, and shamefully exploiting every friend; and — that sort of person shall come into as little contact with me in future as I can help: at least as much freedom of living as that, would I fain ensure my future. —
I hope, dearest Mutz, the L. has not yet twined herself so tightly round your heart, that the above will seriously excite you; but remember we have mutual duties, whose fulfilment itself has the object of giving our future an endurable and pleasant shape. —
Get away to Schandau as soon as ever you can; it will do me good as well as you. How much I regret your having chosen Dresden of all places, I've said already, were it only on account of that dreadful person Julius; I tremble with rage every time you write me about him. Couldn't you manage to shew him the door for good and all? — However, Schandau will shoot the bolt on that too; and then it is to be hoped you'll come direct with dog and bird to Carlsruhe! What the next move will be, whether a definitive Paris at once, or my American journey first, must soon decide itself; but even in the latter event you perhaps could remain behind in Paris, get everything prepared for the Spring, and await me there, where we'll thenceforth live together.
Well, that also will soon clear itself up. — Farewell, take care of yourself, and fare sumptuously!
Salute friends and household. With the best of wishes,
Thy Richard.
Source: Richard to Minna Wagner: Letters to His First Wife, trans. William Ashton Ellis, Vol. 2 (Charles Scribner's Sons, 1909), No. 167