Bad news again!  All the inquiries I have made agree on the point that your stay in Venice will by no means be secure.  The Grand Duke, to whom I communicated the contents of your last letter, has commissioned me simply to advise you against the journey, and to recommend to you (as I have already done) Genoa or Sardinia.  From Dresden I hear that there is at present no hope of your amnesty, and that the statements to that effect in several newspapers have not been confirmed.  Nevertheless, I hope that some “measure” in your favour, I mean the permission of staying for a time at one place or another in Germany, will be taken, through means of the Grand Duke of Baden or the Grand Duke of Weymar.  The performance of “Tristan”, at Carlsruhe or elsewhere, will offer the best opportunity, and as soon as you have finished the work, I beg of you to neglect nothing which may facilitate your return to Germany, although at first only for a few months for the special purpose of conducting “Tristan” in person.  As far as I know your situation, or rather your connections and relations, I think you will have, in the first instance, to apply to the Grand Duke of Baden; the young Prince is much in your favour, as is also the Grand Duchess.  With our Prince I have, of course, discussed the matter frequently and at great length.  I have, it is true, not been able to get a positive promise from him, but I think it very probable that when the time comes for “Tristan” he will not fail to give you a proof of the interest in you which he has frequently expressed, and, as you know, has shown by several letters and intercessions in your favour.

I wish, dearest Richard, I could give you pleasanter and more desirable news, but certain things cannot be changed or broken through all at once.  From Austria you cannot expect much for the recovery of your personal liberty.  It would be half a miracle if anything of the kind should happen.  Even the performance of your operas at Vienna is an example of exceptional toleration, considering the customs of the country.  To demand more would appear to me illusory.  Your political expectations in Austria are as small as are your artistic expectations in Paris and Italy.  Performances of your works in the French or Italian language must for the present be looked upon as pia desideria, or else as newspaper canards.

I am sometimes surprised (forgive my candour) that you fail to perceive that if a performance of “Tannhduser” were given at Paris or Milan, it would take place in very unfavourable circumstances. (I do not speak of London, where a good German opera troupe might have a chance.) For several years to come the only true soil for your works is Germany; that soil they will occupy more and more firmly, and in advance of all other productions.  Do not allow yourself to be led away by vague talking, and preserve your justifiable pride................. .................................