Dear Friend,
The King's signature has this moment arrived. He accords us a credit of 100,000 thalers from his own privy-purse, to defray the immediate costs of the stage-equipment, scenery and gas-plant: during the term of credit all incoming Patronat monies are to be assigned to the Royal exchequer till all advances are repaid, down to which time the said remittances remain the property of the Royal Court-secretariate.
Thus the contract.
You will see that we have merely been placed in the position to proceed, but in nowise obtain a grant; consequently that we remain as much committed, as ever, to bring about the whole undertaking through the public's sympathy.
Now I beg you in your messages and publications to act with the prudence and caution requisite for the two purposes: (1) Of shewing that this new relief is a warrant that the undertaking will be consummated. (2) Of not allowing folk to think there's no need of doing any more for it.
We therefore deem best, simply to state the fact that: The most definite contracts for the speedy execution of the scenery and stage-equipment have just been placed with the painter Hoffmann in Vienna and Court-machinist Brandt.
I fancy this will be sufficient to stop all talk. For my part I will write at once to the singers of my choice, and issue orders about the orchestra; all of which will pretty soon give the thing another look.
It should please me all the more, that this affords you true delight, dear Friend, as I myself taste little of this joy, alas! since I have been so wearied and worried by all that has gone before, that success finds me somewhat cold in the end, and mindful only of my duties.
Heartiest greetings from house to house!
Your
Richard Wagner.
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner to Emil Heckel, with a Brief History of the Bayreuth Festivals, trans. William Ashton Ellis (Grant Richards, 1899), No. 49