All sorts of correspondence. R. reads me a paper intended for an American; as the German princes were mentioned therein, I ask him not to send it, he tore it up with displeasure, and I ask myself whether the success is worth the labour, whether indeed any success can outweigh…
R. cannot be persuaded to return to the biography; he says he has too little leisure now, and scarcely have we spoken of it than a telegram arrives from Herr Fürstner, insisting upon “his right”. R. is resolved to let the matter go to law. Herr Unger, Hey, Seidl, and…
Preparations for Vienna—hotel or furnished lodgings?—The Americans torment R. for the promised letter; I oppose with all decision the writing of a single word. R. takes a long walk, comes upon a labourer who is sifting sand for lime; R. reflects further—lime, houses, fittings, luxury—how must all this branch out,…
The night and the morning were consumed with Herr Fürstner. R. suffers great vexation, and once again it proves how utterly incapable he is in matters of business—every contract leads to deception. In the afternoon appears, quite unexpectedly, Netty Mrazek [1], the former servant; she had not yet seen Fidi!…
All day in bed, meanwhile attending to the household accounts. In the afternoon a letter from Herr Jauner, reporting the unheard-of demand of the publisher Herr Fürstner, to receive royalties for the new scene of Tannhäuser in Vienna.[1] Great vexation on R.’s part at this; resolution never again to have…
The new chambermaid installed. Much reckoning and arranging. R. in more cheerful humour, recalls the Meistersinger and says he cannot comprehend whence he drew the mood for that geniality, though, indeed, he does comprehend it!—He once more expresses his aversion to lyric poetry; when I remind him that he did,…
