R. had, alas, yet another most wretched night. A letter from our nephew Clemens; sister Ottilie [1] is offended! Errands for Lusch’s birthday; in the afternoon a walk to the Hermitage. In the evening the Annals. [2] The golden-green tree of autumn brings us joy; yesterday I sank into deep contemplation, a great melancholy held sway within me – – – Delight in Fidi, who says his evening prayer with such devotion; R. remarks that he himself long continued to say his evening prayer: “One ought indeed always to do it—that is, each evening immerse oneself into the original source!” – In the Orbis Pictus he has found a medicine for our dogs, and now treats them with it!
[1] Ottilie Brockhaus (1811–1883), Richard’s fourth-oldest sister, was married to Hermann Brockhaus and mother of Clemens and Friedrich Brockhaus. It was in her home that Richard met Friedrich Nietzsche.
[2] Goethe’s Daily and Annual Notebooks.
Revised English translation by Jo Cousins.