My dear Friend!
Briefly, greetings, thanks, and other things!
I visited the Grand Duke of Baden, and believe I have accomplished something by so doing. Be so kind as to send the Grand Duke directly in my name (as I promised him) the recent report (of which copies are still to be had?), as well as our earlier printed circulars with one (or more?) Patrons' Certificate, and enclose also the photograph of the theatre which is now ready.
The Societies of Darmstadt and Mayence have surprised and delighted me, and there was no lack of regimental music in the streets. You will soon receive a more accurately specified suggestion from me as to what I consider the right course to take with the societies. . . . It has to do with an appeal to the societies for more vigorous measures in order to secure the necessary results by the end of January. . . .
We travel in all directions, grow very fatigued, but shall manage to hold out. After Cologne, Aix-la-Chapelle, Düsseldorf, Hanover, Bremen, Braunschweig, Cassel, in order that we may merit a quiet Christmas in Bayreuth with the children and our dear friends. At New Year we start out again for a long time!
Cordial greetings to you, the family and friends!
Yours,
Richard Wagner.
Source: The Story of Bayreuth as Told in the Bayreuth Letters of Richard Wagner, trans. and ed. Caroline V. Kerr (Small, Maynard and Company, 1912), No. 38