Category: May 1875

At first light, the children offer their congratulations, Venetian glass (if the glass breaks, good fortune will continue); at eleven, a second greeting, Faith, Love, Hope (Fidi, Loldi, Eva), 62 light balloons lit in the hall, with the “Huldigungsmarsch” played alongside. R. says to me that I have given him…

R. occupied with many letters, I with the birthday matters and the children’s lessons. In the afternoon, a general outing to Fantaisie, glorious weather, lovely spirits. Upon our return home, we are surprised by the arrival of the Ritters, Franziska and Alexander; a cheerful evening spent in lively conversation. Traduzione…

Much going on, as always, for R.'s birthday; he is occupied with orchestral arrangements. In between, Gfrörer and Moltke; the conversation between the two before Sedan, on whether or not to show magnanimity, pleases R. greatly; he envies the men of action! … In the evening, we watched the moonrise…

Letters from the children, always sorrowful. R. cannot work, hindered on all sides. — Even the tenor Unger does not report; from where shall a Siegfried come? No one stands ready at R.’s side — Richter woefully lost to us. — In the evening, a seminarist from Dresden, come expressly…

R. says to me that I am like the gazelle who has drawn the Indian hermit once more into life! He would otherwise have been entirely lost. — The first piano and singing lesson for the two little ones. After luncheon, we go out; upon our return, a letter for…

R. writes to Herr von Rudolphi to explain how it came to be that he chose Schroetter; great distress — the nearer we draw to our goal, the more everything seems to conspire against us. I am only thankful that R. does not entirely lose heart or spirit. Over coffee…