Concerning your own recent steps in my favour, I must charge you in all friendliness with having acted too delicately towards me by not letting me know the motives of the refusal you have met with.  Even now you do not state those motives plainly, for the reason apparently that you fear to wound me unnecessarily by their communication.  On the other hand, I ask you to consider that it would be better if I saw quite clearly in this matter.  This would finally and for ever free me from all the illusions into which my strong desire tempts me while things are in this uncertain state, and an unpleasant feature of our mutual relations would disappear altogether.

All my transactions with the Hartels as to the edition of the scores, etc., of the “Nibelungen” to be prepared at once, have again been abandoned recently.  The only thing they were willing to grant was the immediate commencement of the engraving (provided always that a performance was guaranteed), without payment of an honorarium, and with the undertaking only on their part to share the profits of the edition with me.  How loath I am to agree to this latter proposal I need not explain.  The profits to be derived from such a work increase as the years go on, and will probably become lucrative only after my death.  In any case, those profits would accrue to me at a time of life to provide for which at present would be folly, considering how urgently I require immediate assistance and freedom from care.  Heirs I have none.

Your advice to settle in Paris in case Germany remains closed to me quite coincides with my own plans.  The dear Child has communicated to you what my immediate views of life are.  I cannot bear this state of inactivity any longer; my health is ruined for want of life and action.  Paris is the place, appointed to me by fate.  I quite agree with you in thinking that I shall get accustomed to living there as time goes on.  Apart from any plans, I shall there have at least the occasional use of a fine orchestra which I have missed for so long.  Without considering for the present any possible performances at French theatres, I should there also have the best chance of witnessing a performance of my own works.  A well-managed scheme of German opera would be all that would be required.  But it is impossible for me and my wife to lead, once more, a half-starving life in Paris.  Some comfort and freedom of action must be secured to me, otherwise I cannot think of it.  I shall probably leave my furniture, etc., at Zurich.  The pretty little house will be kept for me, and I hope to inhabit it again later on in the summer, which would be an agreeable change.

The hope you give me of receiving frequent visits from you in Paris is the real bright point in the picture of the future.