[184] Joseph Schalk was one of the founders of the Wagner-Verein at Vienna, and devoted his life to propagating the cult of Bruckner (who called him his "Herr Generalissimus "), and to fighting for Wolf.
[185] Letter of H. von Bülow to Detlev von Liliencron.
[186] Wolf's letters to Strasser are of great value in giving us an insight into his artist's eager and unhappy soul.
[187] Wolf was living there with a friend. He had not a lodging of his own until 1896, and that was due to the generosity of his friends.
[188] The writing of an opera was Wolf's great dream and intention for many years.
[189] Detlev von Liliencron offered him an American subject. "But in spite of my admiration for Buffalo Bill and his unwashed crew," said Wolf sarcastically, "I prefer my native soil and people who appreciate the advantages of soap."
All that is begun must end,
All around will sometime perish.
Once we were also men
Happy or sad like you;
Now life is taken from us,
We are only of earth, as you see.