Dear good Minna,
I thank you most kindly for your letter. — It seems as if things would come right with me at last. At Leipzig I obtained further assistance through a small loan from Ritters, and decided to force my departure for Vienna at all costs, without letting myself be detained by other instant hopes — whose vainness I had recognised, however; so I set forth at once for Biebrich, since I might also hope to find good news here. That happened too, insofar as it was an easy matter to find security, so that I shouldn't need much actual cash to get away from here. But then the Grand Duke, or rather the Grand Duchess of Weimar put in an oar; I received such a nice money present from there, that I am able to pay everyone off in fact now, besides keeping enough for the journey and my first start in Vienna. Finally, I'm also asked by telegraph from Weimar what fee I should demand for prompt purchase of Tristan and the Meistersinger, to which I naturally could make no definite reply; nevertheless I see that further resources are at my command there, which perhaps will amount to as much as I intended raising by that unsuccessful loan. It seems that Liszt has been of very energetic use to me there, upon C.'s intervention. Consequently I may also hope to send you the needful money very shortly; which will be an untold comfort to me. For, do believe me, it pains and shames me deeply not even to be able to give you the most essential relief.
So: the clouded sky seems clearing. I'm plucking up courage and trust in my fate again, which were really smitten to their lowest on my last return to Leipzig. Give my love to niece Clärchen, and tell her she shall also have the letter to Frau Schnorr from Vienna. The good thing about the operations just commenced is that, if brought to fulfilment, it will be no borrowed money, and I shan't have the worry of repayment.
Now I am just going to pack everything up and pay a few necessary calls, in particular on the famous old lady at Ingelheim; who really might be of the very greatest service to my future, as I should then be free of any official obligation, which is always a drag. I hope to start tomorrow, though; so expect my next letter from Vienna. If you have anything of moment to write me meanwhile, please address c/o Dr. J. Standthartner, Stadt 806. Wien. —
And so give heartiest love to good old sister Klare; she's to be nice and stay on with you. Also to Fritz and Luise. It seems I shan't go under yet, although a deal of care and trouble still remains!
Now many, many heartfelt greetings! Pluck up heart yourself!
Thy Richard.
Source: Richard to Minna Wagner: Letters to His First Wife, trans. William Ashton Ellis, Vol. 2 (Charles Scribner's Sons, 1909), No. 261