Dear Minna,
As you wanted an answer by return about the rooms, I'm replying with these lines at once, and shall let a letter follow with 100 thaler, which I mean to send you in a day or two; for money-letters, to the best of my knowledge, take somewhat longer, and you need to hear by Monday.
Please decide about the rooms completely of your own accord; you know my views and purpose. If you believe — as you wrote me lately — you will be unable to find so good a suite next autumn — that is, when you return from Reichenhall (which I had by no means forgotten) — then I abide by it that it will be prudent to make up your mind already, as it certainly is a matter of an abode that shall meet all due requirements for a permanence as well. I hope you won't take it amiss of me, that with this I chiefly bear in mind yourself and your requirement of stability; myself I should also like having a home somewhere, but must leave it still an open question whether Dresden, of all places, will contribute to my special ease, and I imagine time will prove. In my eyes the choice of Dresden is only of value because I like the thought of your being there best, and you are bound to prefer it yourself to any other dwelling-place. You won't take it ill of me, that this is very weighty and decisive in my judgment? Of what profit that habitation will be to me, must be left in the lap of the future; I wish and hope for the best and most agreeable to yourself!
Beyond Pusinelli and the Krietes (the latter for the interest on capital advanced to me and since repaid) I owe no one any money in Dresden.
Regarding the abode, once more, decide entirely as you think fit: if you believe you won't find so reasonable an apartment later as the one in the Walburgigasse, and if that pleases you, why, take it. Roughly calculate also the cost of your living till autumn, including Reichenhall, and tell me what you think you'll need till then; you will be receiving 100 thaler (as said) in two or three days. For the removal of the furniture and its doing up (when you'll have to renovate much) I hope to scrape the needful sum together in good time; which very much depends on whether I have made sufficient progress with my work by then. The latter thus remains the chief consideration. —
The Carlsruhe business must decide itself very shortly now. I believe it won't come to a Lohengrin performance there; in which case I look forward to spending my birthday in Dresden. Then I shall wish for all that is good, and hope and expect it! —
Adieu for to-day.
In fine weather please take a droschke (at my extra expense) and drive to the Grosser Garten (about 6 o'clock), there to do a little promenading. I do it every morning in the park here, where the nightingales have recently arrived, and I always feel refreshed by it and put in a lovely humour. Please do!
Kind love from
Thy Rich.
Source: Richard to Minna Wagner: Letters to His First Wife, trans. William Ashton Ellis, Vol. 2 (Charles Scribner's Sons, 1909), No. 240