me not to undergo that strain.  In that manner I think I have taken the only step which may lead me straight to the goal of certain knowledge as to my fate.  If the King refuses to grant me this request it is clear that I shall have to give up all hope from that quarter for ever.  But even in that case I am resolved to make one more last trial.  I shall apply direct to the Grand Duke of Baden, placing the case before him, and asking him for his permission to approach the Emperor of Austria, the Prince of Prussia, the Grand Duke of Weimar, the Duke of Coburg, and perhaps one other friendly Prince with the prayer to grant me an exceptional privilege of residence in their respective states, either by agreement amongst themselves, or by a decree of the National Diet.  Avoiding anything of the nature of a complaint against the King of Saxony, I shall base this request solely upon the same circumstance, viz., the very serious state of my health and my nervous irritation, which do not permit me to undergo the risk of a criminal investigation at Dresden, although I fully recognize the justice of that investigation, and do not expect the King to alter his decree in my favour.  I shall further ask the Princes in question to suspend the treaty of extradition in my favour after due consultation with the Saxon Government, the object being to secure my personal efforts for the advancement of German art.  It will depend upon the consent of the Grand Duke of Baden whether I take further steps in that direction.  I do not venture to say that I expect a successful issue, but one thing I shall gain in any case, and that the most necessary of all, viz., certainty as to my position.  I must no longer delay gaining that certainty, because my whole future life depends upon it.  Before telling you what further steps I have in view in order to gain certainty in another direction also, I must answer your question as to Carlsruhe,

Devrient wrote to me that in case “Tristan” were finished by that time, September 6th, being the birthday of the Grand Duke, would be the best day for the performance; and he added that the Grand Duke counted with certainty upon my personal attendance.  As to this last point, which of course I had made the chief condition from the first, I have recently received further information.  The Grand Duke intends to invite me for the time in question to Carlsruhe on his own responsibility.  Nothing is to be known beforehand, and my presence is to be simply an accomplished fact, for which the Grand Duke takes the personal responsibility.  This seems a princely way of doing things, and the young sovereign inspires me with confidence.  But I must assist him by denying any intention of a journey to Carlsruhe altogether.  You will therefore oblige me, dearest Franz, by ostensibly assisting me in this matter.  You might cause some paragraphs to be inserted in the newspapers, contradicting that rumour which, unfortunately, has been spread about a good deal, and stating that nothing was settled, and that my personal attendance at Carlsruhe was quite out of the question, as, as yet, there was not the slightest chance of my amnesty.