Best thanks, dear Minna, for your letter of to-day. Don't be afraid of boring me with insignificant items; I enjoy everything you write to me when I see by its whole tone that you are calm and in good spirits; then I conclude that things are going tolerably with you and you're feeling better. And that really is the most important news a letter from yourself can tell me; whereas I know quite well that no great marvels can be taking place around you.
For the last 3 days I've had incessant rainy weather, which has made me feel bad all at once: I do so need clear skies and buoyant air; I know how to protect myself against the heat at a pinch. Still, it's to be hoped you will also have profited by some of this rain; and in that hope I'll willingly put up with it. Only don't speak about your journey yet; you shall embark on it whenever you feel equal to doing so; at any rate the approaching autumn will do you good. But I am glad you approve of my plan as regards Carlsruhe; that will facilitate everything. This last 19th I finished the composition entirely, and in a fortnight at latest I shall have polished off the last page of the full score as well. Then I perhaps shall make a small excursion up Pilatus, prepare for my departure, and expect to reach Paris mid-August. If I only took count of the temperature, I should by all means stay in Switzerland a little longer; but I'm really craving for a cheaper life now, than is possible to me with this continual hotel-existence, and above all I want to procure myself swift certainty about the future. I want to know how I stand as regards Paris in every respect, and in particular how things will prove with a suitable dwelling; for which I need ample time to have a good look at everything on the spot, weigh all the pros and cons. It would be lovely if we could live out by the Champs-Élysées; we must keep an eye upon a handy promenade etc. But, about all that from Paris. —
I will write to Moudon in N.'s behalf. On the whole I am bound to agree with you; nevertheless the plan has many drawbacks. I am afraid N. is already too old for this proposal; one doesn't first go to school at her age; and that is what it comes to. What a thousand pities! As we are childless, she would have been just cut out for looking after you, keeping you company, managing the house, and so on; it would have been the best chance alike for her and for yourself! And yet I am obliged to recognise your ground for questioning her aptitude for that once more; I can — advance nothing against it, and must endorse your wish to let no wretched misrelation rise again. So, if you have otherwise been pleased with her of late, and she has been of use to you, I gladly will shew myself grateful to her, and — although I can't hope very much from it — I'll willingly do all I can towards supporting her desire, however late, to get herself trained for a governess. —
Your inspired effusion on father Geyer has rather puzzled me. Can Luise have persuaded herself to leave you in the delusion under which you're labouring with regard to that picture? Incomprehensible! That painting, dear Minna, is really nothing but a copy, and that from Raphael, which my father once did as a study to perfect his use of oil-colours. Moreover, Geyer only painted portraits. — I'm quite grieved to have to snatch you from the illusion that this picture was an original painting by my father; for you're perfectly right, whoever invents and executes a work like that can never be forgotten. —
There really is nothing more — singular, than the way in which I'm again and again told of remarks of the King's that he can't pardon me if I do not present myself. As if I hadn't most plainly set forth to the Minister, as previously to Lüttichau, how unpractical, impossible and inadmissible it would be, to ask me after 10 long years to undergo examination touching things which merely float before me as dim shadows now, and with the best of will I often should only be able to give a vague account of. Naturally, they do not answer such a plea at all; it's spoken to the wind, and they keep returning and returning to the old, old phrase. I don't know what to do with such people; moreover their whole behaviour to me is so humiliating, that I beg everybody to spare me hearing any more about them. Many a one has had to repent his stubbornness of late; it may be the turn of others next. If I cannot see my situation improved in despite of those gentry, I suppose I must submit to it at last, and safely leave posterity to judge my fate. — The best of it is, that my spirit isn't broken yet, and it will need but a little enlivenment to brisk me up again from time to time. Under pressure of the most cross-grained and forlorn position I again have completed a new work which is bound to bring me fame and honour. Already — besides the Nibelungen — I have another two works in my head, and if I spoke of a pause in my work for the present, it was not that I'm at any loss for matter, but because I do not wish to overtax myself, and need recreation, not impulsion. Between now and November I could easily turn out the last act of Siegfried also, and that would make the fourth big work all spick and span within six years. Whoever compares my present works with those of others, must admit that such a productivity of mind is well-nigh incomprehensible, — and thus equipped I mean to snap my fingers at my fate, and calmly leave the King of Saxony to his opinion of me! It will do me no harm. —
As to the Dresden production of Lohengrin, I read in the mus. journal that it had been set down for the 5th of August, true enough, but would probably be postponed to the middle of the month. Just as God wills!
I have no other news. The American manager will call on me in Paris; remains to be seen! I cannot help thinking we both shall live cheaper in Paris than has been the case this last year. With or without America we shall make ends meet; only it is well for me to keep such a chance open. Over our present decisions, however, it shall exert no influence.
What did you think of the other company at Luise's? Please send me an atom of gossip thereon: it amuses me. — I'm glad to have a good opportunity of taking my revenge on Mad. Erard now; I shall dedicate to her the new engraved edition of the score of Tannhäuser. The piano continues to be my grande passion; it does me good as soon as ever I touch it.
And now goodbye for to-day. Greet the whole Bad Schandau, and get the Kuhstall made a little larger when you visit it again. Go on feeling better! The news of the departure of your deafness gave me great delight. So will many another ill depart, and we shall both be hale and young again for our Silver Wedding.
Hearty greetings from
Thy R.
Here you also have a letter "in Zierig"! — Luckily the Post doesn't know it's from your sister. For that matter, it might also be from my lamented Mama. —
Source: Richard to Minna Wagner: Letters to His First Wife, trans. William Ashton Ellis, Vol. 2 (Charles Scribner's Sons, 1909), No. 182