Category: Cosima Wagner Diaries

The days pass in constant attempts to maintain our servant, whom we support along with his wife and children, asking only the proper decency in return.  On Sunday, he forgets himself so badly toward R. that he is immediately dismissed from service. One of the saddest experiences of the wickedness…

Still occupied with household duties, I hope to manage things so that R. feels well and at ease. He dines today with Mr. Rose, I with Elisabeth and the children. Late in the evening, R. returns home, quite pleased to be reunited with these people. Mr. Rose[1] brought him a…

I must now take charge of my troubled household, and I do so, spending the day busy with laundry. In the evening, R. laughs and says, "I am glad that I married a housekeeper after all." –   A letter from Hans, offering me 2500 francs towards the extraordinary expenses of…

Early in the morning a visit from Archbishop Hajnald, whom I also introduce to R.; then some errands and said farewell to the loveliest friend, later to the excellent Standhartners.   Depart around 7 o'clock, at 6 o'clock in the morning arrive in Regensburg, since there is a five hour wait…

Various unpleasant news from home. However, R. is quite well, thank God. — Last night, he told the household friends of the strange dream he once had in Switzerland, in which he saw himself walking with Herwegh[1] along high mountain paths, where suddenly a tribute was brought by a male…

Made a few visits with Marie Dönhoff and in the evening, a lovely soirée at the Dönhoffs, where R. sees Marie Hohenlohe again for the first time in 19 years. After a great intimacy, a complete estrangement had occurred, but R. recognises her again, and despite the gaps and the…