Quite against my custom, I have just spent about ten days in bed fighting with a violent fever. As it is a very long time since I heard from you, I begin to be somewhat anxious as to the fate of my "Lohengrin" article, which, before leaving Weymar, I gave to Raff, asking him to send it to you as soon as he had read it. In case you have received it, write me a few lines to reassure me with regard to it, and at the same time tell me frankly, and without compliments of any kind, whether the analysis has pleased or displeased you, whether you think it worth publishing, and what I had better do with it.
My whole correspondence has fallen into the most lamentable arrears through the sad condition I have lived in for more than a fortnight. I owe an answer especially to Herr Ritter, who has made me a most courteous offer, the value of which I quite appreciate. Be good enough, dear friend, to thank him in my name (before I can do so myself) for his friendly conduct, for which I shall prove myself grateful, as far as lies in my power, on all occasions.
How far have you got with "Siegfried"? Have you continued your volume about the opera, and when will it appear?
Send me soon one of those long letters which you write so beautifully. It will serve excellently well to relieve of his grief and sorrow.
Your affectionate and devoted friend,
F. LISZT
EILSEN, November 26th, 1850
Address Eilsen (Buckeburg) till December 30th. In the first week of the new year I shall be back in Weymar.
52.