I shall be better than ever on September 20th.
Write to Madame Erard that she must send me a grand piano at once. I will pay her in instalments of five hundred francs a year without a doubt.
It must be here when you come.
Happiness and joy to you.
222.
I thank you, dearest, most unique of men, for having sent me your scores of "Rhinegold" and the "Valkyrie." The work has for me the fabulous attractive power of the magnet mountain, which fetters irresistibly the ship and the sailor. H. has been with me for a few days, and I was unable to withhold from him the joy of viewing Valhall. So he tinkles and hammers the orchestra on the piano, while I howl, and groan, and roar the vocal parts; this by way of prelude to OUR great performance at your Zurich palace, to which I am looking forward with longing.
In a week's time I start for Hungary, and my Mass will be performed on August 31st, on the occasion of the Gran ceremony, for which it has been written. For several minor reasons I must, after that, stay at Pesth and Vienna for a few weeks, and shall therefore not be at Zurich till about September 20th. Probably the Princess will come, too, together with her daughter.
Franz Muller will pay you a visit at Mornex about the middle of this month, and will show you his work on the "Nibelungen."
The two scores I shall leave here in the keeping of the Princess until you write to HER that they are to be sent to the Hartels.
Your idea of becoming a houseowner at Zurich is quite peculiar, and I congratulate you cordially on the building delights which await you.