Dear Child,
Merely two lines to tell you that the (insane) father of the Metternich can't leave Paris, on account of illness, and I therefore can't go to the Metternichs. That has been my New Year's gift! Not to get into too hot water for this affair, however — even with yourself — I send you herewith the last letter Metternich wrote me to Vienna, upon which I determined to go to Paris after all! —
But I have written to Schott at once, and am inclined to have a good long look at Wiesbaden, to see if that might altogether please me: there is much to be said for it. If you have anything to tell me quick, please do so to the old address still. Once I have settled my day of departure, I'll write you properly. Farewell for to-day. I should like to get the verses of my first act done here, all the same. —
Beautiful fate!! Don't you think I need patience? — Now adieu! Soon more from
Thy buffeted Husband.
Source: Richard to Minna Wagner: Letters to His First Wife, trans. William Ashton Ellis, Vol. 2 (Charles Scribner's Sons, 1909), No. 227