Three cheers for the punch and lobster salad! Long live Lüders, who prepared it! Long live Ferdinand, who devoured the bones! Long live Sainton, who came late, but who came! Long live Klindworth, who neither ate nor drank, but who was present! Long live, long live Léonie, who laughed sympathetically at our boisterousness! That was not so bad. Let us be grateful, and let us remain friends. And you, my dear mother, remain my sister.
Adieu.
Yours,
Richard Wagner the Elder.
November 3d, 1855.
P.S. The next letter will be to Sainton. I cannot dole out so much French in one day.
The next letter, written three months after the preceding, is of interest in showing that Wagner kept up the practice of his daily promenade.
Dearest Friend: Thanks for your beautiful London notice, which I have just read in Brendel’s “Zeitschrift.” As I am thoroughly acquainted with all the circumstances, I pronounce it excellent; in short, so important, and so always hitting the mark, that were I not the leading subject I should have much less restraint in praising it.
Be assured that the remembrance I seem to have left with you will always remain one of my most cherished thoughts. That I was so fortunate to create a good opinion in you, is to me exhilarating and touching. After all, what a lot of trouble we both had to endure. Be content with these few words, written immediately after reading your notice, and just before taking my accustomed stroll, and be assured that they contain much joy.
Farewell, dearest Ferdinand, and continue to love me.
Yours,
Richard Wagner.