Cordially your

F. Liszt.

Weymar, May 14th, 1859.

I told you at the time how deeply your letter to M. about the Symphonic Poems had rejoiced me.  The twaddle which dulness, triviality, and spite have talked about it is not worth notice.

292.

Lucerne, May 15th, 1859.

Dearest Franz,

Thiele, of Berne, the, trombone player, has just called on me, and told me that he recently visited you at Weimar, not knowing at that time that the place of trombone player would be vacant there.  He asked me to recommend him to you, because, as a native of Weimar, he would like much to be employed there.  I am cordially pleased to recommend him to you most warmly, not only for the sake of Thiele, but for that of your orchestra.  He took part in 1853 in my famous May concerts at Zurich, and on that occasion gained, I may say, my whole heart by his enthusiasm.  He had two very weak players with him, but managed to carry them along with him by his energy to such an extent, that in the passage

[Musical score excerpt]

one might have thought that one was listening to a whole host of trombones.  Thiele, in short, is excellent, and known all through Switzerland as a trombone genius.  I congratulate you on his acquisition.  Do not let him escape you.

Farewell for today, dearest friend.  What state I am in you may unfortunately see from the fact that a few days ago I felt bound in conscience and duty to ask Devrient not to rely on “Tristan” or me any longer.  This was bound to happen, and there is an end for the present.

Much luck to the Leipzig festival.

Farewell, and accept the best wishes of

Your

Richard W.

293.

May 21st, 1859.

Dearest friend,

Send Tausig to me; I hear he is disengaged.  My wife has even written to me that he wished to come to me.  Otherwise I have nothing rational to tell you today.  I feel miserable; you will soon hear more.  A thousand cordial thanks for your letter.

Your

R. W.

Lucerne.

294.

Dearest Richard,

My excellent friend, Felix Draseke, is on his way to you.  Receive him kindly as one of “ours,” and reveal to him your “Nibelungen” treasure, on which he is worthy of gazing with heart and soul.

I hope to be with you at the end of August; let me know where I shall find you then.

Your

F. L.

Weymar, July 19th, 1859.

295.

Telegram.

Weymar, August 9th.

To Richard Wagner,

Lucerne,

Hotel SCHWEIZERHOF.

On the completion of “Tristan” the most cordial congratulations of your invariably faithful

Franciscus.