Princess Hohenlohe asked me to call on her today; I went, and returned home not greatly elated. Learned that Mr. Labatt has reported himself ill — whether from incapacity, ill will, or genuine indisposition is hard to determine. “Romeo and Juliet” by Gounod is given instead of “Tannhäuser”; the performance produces a truly sickening impression. The impressions R. receives from the “Lohengrin” rehearsals awaken in him the thought of departing tomorrow. I strongly support him in this. All reports concur that nothing but rabble has been to deal with here.
Revised English translation by Jo Cousins.