Dear Minna,
The day after tomorrow it will be 4 weeks that I've had to suspend my work entirely. Even to-day I can only write these lines to you by holding the pen between the two middle fingers; I can't so much as think of music-writing yet. If it had been the whole left hand, it wouldn't have mattered at all, as there is hardly any pain; but precisely the right thumb! I have still to protect it from any sort of pressure, if I don't mean to check the very slow process of complete internal healing, and make it painful anew. You may imagine my frame of mind! I had based my every calculation upon being able to deliver to Schott the full score of the first act quite finished this month, to induce him to pay the fresh advance I need: only to-day can I even attempt to write to him connectedly about it. Upon his answer — he's at Kissingen — depends my being punctual with the money for your furnishing etc. I hope to! — Meanwhile I'm much à sec myself just now, and must entreat you to address yourself in my name to Mathilde for what you're short of for the journey back. As soon as you are back in Dresden, I hope to be able to send you at any rate something again.
You are quite right to be returning by Vienna. Call on the Laubes; they live in the "Stoss im Himmel" block (sounds droll enough!). The Standthartners unfortunately are not at home.
From your last letter I see that you're merry again, and feeling better on the whole. That makes amends for everything, even for the various ills that touch myself. I really must have untold patience. —
So farewell, and don't be vexed at this little; I can't write more at present! Kind regards to Mathilde.
From his heart
Thy Richard.
Source: Richard to Minna Wagner: Letters to His First Wife, trans. William Ashton Ellis, Vol. 2 (Charles Scribner's Sons, 1909), No. 250