One of my sins was that I simply could not bear to eat spinach, and as in those days it was considered the absolute duty of a child to eat anything that was put before him because “God had grown the spinach and other vegetables in order to feed hungry children,” and “there were thousands of poor little children who would be only too glad to eat spinach,” I was forced to eat it although it often choked me and made me ill. Even to this day I cannot bear spinach, and with all the reverence and deep affection that I have for my father, I do not think he was right in this particular case as regards his pedagogic theories.
The following excerpts from letters of von Bülow throw an interesting light on the conditions under which my father worked in Breslau at that time.
To the Princess Carolyn Sayn-Wittgenstein (Liszt’s closest friend)
Berlin, Feb. 10, 1859.
. . . Anticipating Liszt’s promise I have sent the score of his “Ideale” to Damrosch who will have the parts copied and get the work to his public already during this month. If we could only have a half dozen soldiers like Damrosch at our disposal! . . .
To Felix Draescke (composer and disciple of Liszt for whom Bülow had tried to obtain a position)
Berlin, Oct. 16, 1860.
. . . I am assured of my complete lack of power to help. To achieve the like for Damrosch has also failed. D., with wife and child, and another one in the nearest future, is quasi near to starvation. It has taken me much time to find out finally that I cannot help. . . .
To Hans von Bronsart (mutual friend and musician. Intendant of the Royal Opera in Hanover. In relation to a joint concert with Bülow)