I was prevented from writing you yesterday, dearest Minna. To-day, as I have this moment received Profess. Fröhlich's answer, I can discuss that affair with you also, and mean to start off with it. The enclosed letter will shew you that on my side I have left nothing undone to meet your wishes in respect of N.; I leave it to yourself to decide what's to do at this juncture. According to Fr.'s calculation, board and instruction will amount to 636 fr. a year; if to that I add travelling expenses, pocket-money and outfit, no doubt 800 fr. will scarcely cover it. I cannot assume that one year will see the end of it, and N. get an engagement directly thereafter; so I should at any rate have to be prepared for 2 years. Meantime it is indispensable according to my own determination, cost what it may, that you should engage yourself a companion and attendant. How ill these two things fit, and how nearly it embitters me against N., I leave yourself to judge; but I may tell you quite candidly that in my opinion nothing will have been gained for N.'s future even by this sacrifice. To take up such a thing at her age, one ought to have an energetic character and somewhat more thorough rudiments of knowledge; but intercourse with children seems to her the pleasantest simply because she has no idea of what an English family, for instance, expects from a governess, and that even if her attainments should be raised to the requisite level, her slack and apathetic character would never please folk. Should the attempt be ventured at her time of life, however, I could only give it my full approval if that attempt (for I absolutely can regard it in no other light) could be made under lighter conditions. To a girl of energetic character, in spite of her maturing age, I unconditionally should say: To Berne by all means! systematic, thorough, and the best! With N.'s nature, on the contrary, I ask you to reflect if it wouldn't be preferable to make that attempt nearer home. An opportunity must be discoverable in Dresden, where surely there exist establishments for training governesses. Even if 3 years were named as term (from which something might surely be knocked off under circumstances and if one explained things), the Dresden attempt would come cheaper, and from my own point of view more convenient, as even at Berne I should have to reckon on two years at the least (piano-playing and English are not learnt over-night). Consequently I would beg you to try all you can again with Dresden first; as to which I take for granted, though, that you are not to give yourself excessive trouble, but it would be just the occasion for exercise of the Schiffner's so very staunch friendship. If you should positively consider it the only good expedient to send N. to Berne under this condition, out of regard for yourself and your instant desire I gladly consent to assume the needful obligations, and — let it turn out as it will — you shall never hear a word of reproach from me on that head. — I promised N., if she looked after you to your complete satisfaction, I would shew myself correspondingly grateful to her; though she doesn't appear to have fully answered my wishes, nevertheless I have made up my mind to support her for the future in any event, and am prepared to allow her fifty thaler regularly every year. I should have thought that with such a contribution, which in case of poverty might even have been raised a little, I had given her sufficient in hand to make her way. I even have thought of Meck's family: are none but strangers ever sought there, and one's own kith and kin compelled to take foreign persons into their house? The Mecks have children, too: please let her have a try there, where they no doubt will not be so particular, and her present attainments would quite suffice; with my annual contribution she wouldn't be a burden to them, but might even prove very welcome. Forgive me, if I can see almost nothing but childish obstinacy in N.'s contrary wish. But bring this affair to a conclusion after your own best judgment; for my part I have placed free choice in your hands for everything and any event, only I deemed it advisable in all respects to speak out my frank opinion of the thing to you. —
Another topic. Best Minna, I think I now have reached an age when one really would like to enjoy to some extent the fruits of a long life of labours. By which I mean nothing else than household comfort and convenience, — and what I can provide myself on that side has this value to me, that repose and comfort tune me to productiveness, whereas with a certain constant untranquil discomfort I lose an uncommon amount both of time and good humour. Moreover, not only out of regard for yourself — whom I would so gladly make quite comfortable — but in particular for my own sensitive and fastidious nature, I find it less easy than some persons to satisfy my needs in an agreeably calming fashion. Simply the point of Abode, for instance: what strict precautions I have to take to ensure my being undisturbed, hearing no tiresome noise, and particularly no piano-playing. Imagine how difficult it is to protect oneself entirely against that here in Paris. At last, after incredible efforts, I have succeeded in finding a dwelling which answers my every requirement; at the sacrifice of 1000 fr. more per annum, I admit, than another dwelling would have cost without these guarantees. I signed the agreement yesterday, and to gratify your curiosity, will tell you at least so much about it: it is situated a few 100 feet from the Arch of triumph, off the Avenue des Champs Elysées, in a completely new quarter and a side street thereof, very pleasant, with splendid pure air. More building will be going on in the neighbourhood, to be sure, as new boulevards are to be pierced towards the Arc de triomphe; but that sort of thing is done very quickly in Paris, and one notices but little of it, especially with the favourable position of our abode. For yourself, dear Mutz, I have taken full consideration with it in all respects; you, too, will be able to live very quietly and to yourself, and have a nice view into the bargain. The rooms are small, as everywhere in Paris, but well distributed and quite sufficient. I will just tell you what you'll have to yourself: a pretty, very cosy little bedroom; adjoining it a small but quite sufficiently commodious boudoir with 2 windows, entirely to yourself (only I think of breakfasting in your domain); in direct connection a room with cupboards, for your companion; and then the maid's small room for wardrobe. You are certain to be quite pleased with it, as it's all very snug. I likewise have all the accommodation I need, and beyond that there's a Salle à manger, a reception-room which you can always sit in if you want to, and finally a cabinet for the man-servant. Let me tell you nothing more about it now, and grant me the small surprise I am thereby preparing for you. Fippsel will be uncommonly happy. There are most glorious walks quite close, and the whole situation has the purest air.
I was obliged to sign a contract for 3 years, and to pay up the final term's rent in advance. In any case, though, I intend devoting those 3 years to Paris and my undertakings here; in spite of all dearness of living, I may hope to leave here with some profit then, and if Germany by then stands once more open to me, to plant myself with my old Mutz wherever we please for our last resting-place. And those 3 years we'll pass agreeably; so there's no hurry about my pardoning till then, and I therefore beg you not to let the persuasions of others mislead you into pressing me in that respect just now.
I have no answer yet from Carlsruhe; which is explicable enough to me. For I had to insist on conducting the first performances myself; consequently the Grand Duke must set all that in order first. Moreover, they want to defer the production till the Grand Duchess's birthday, if possible, and as I am up to my eyes in preparations for the Tannhäuser here, I've no particular cause to hurry them. At any rate, then, commence your very needful grape-cure: don't disregard Pusinelli's advice. The beginning of November, at latest, I hope to meet you at Carlsruhe in any case; so turn the additional month to your health's good profit. Let me also know how much more money you may need. Don't disturb your mind about the fashions here; I see people wearing everything, and there'll be opportunity enough for something new once you are on the spot. So a thousand kind and hearty greetings for to-day. To our speedy glad meeting!
Thy Old man.
I fancy Tannhäuser will come out here about the 15th January; soon more on that point. I believe I may count upon a great success.
Source: Richard to Minna Wagner: Letters to His First Wife, trans. William Ashton Ellis, Vol. 2 (Charles Scribner's Sons, 1909), No. 193