P.S.—More next time (though little of interest to you, as absolutely nothing occurs here that could touch you closely).—I am preparing to stay here for the summer, and somewhat longer.— In order not to lose the post I only send you today these few lines.
4. To Madame Jessie Laussot in Florence
[Madame Laussot, an English lady, became later the wife of Dr. Carl Hillebrand, the celebrated writer. She was the intimate friend of Liszt, Von Bulow, etc., and is herself a musician of great repute, to whom many artists of note, Sgambati, Bache, Buonamici, etc., owe much of the success of their career. She started a musical society in Florence, the "Societa Cherubini;" which she conducted for many years, and introduced there much of the best music of Germany (Liszt's included).]
Your charming lines, Madame, reached me at the beginning of Holy Week. At that moment one no longer belongs to oneself in Rome; and I have felt this more than others, for the services and ceremonies of the Sistine Chapel and of St. Peter's, to which I attached a special musical interest, have absorbed all my time during the last fortnight. Pray excuse me therefore for not having thanked you sooner for your kind remembrance, which touches me much.
Some one has made a mistake in telling you that I am coming to Florence. I have no longer any taste for moving about from one place to another, and, unless something very unforeseen happens, I shall not stir from here so soon. Rome is a more convenient place than others for those who ask nothing better than to work in their own fashion. Now, although I have become very indifferent as to the fate of what I write, work none the less continues to be the first need of my nature. I write therefore simply to write—without any other pretensions or care—and for this it suits me best to remain in one place.
Will you be so kind, Madame, as to give my very affectionate respects to Madame Ritter [Mother of Carl Ritter—Wagner's friend—and of Alexander Ritter, the composer of "Der faule Hans.">[, to which please add my best remembrances to her family, and pray accept also the expression of my very sincere and affectionate regards.
F. Liszt
May 3rd, 1862 (Via Felice, 113—Rome.)
5. To Dr. Franz Brendel
Rome, June 12th, 1862