Farewell.  Greet the Princess, and tell her that her letter pleased me, although I failed to understand it.  Greet also Princess H—.  May you all think ot me in a friendly spirit.

Farewell.

Your

R. W.

300.

Brussels, March 29th, 1860.

Dearest Franz,

Once more I give you a sign of life.  That one lives at all is perhaps the most wonderful case in point, and when one arrives at the end of things, one need not care any longer.  Death, which at this moment mows down men so recklessly, leaves us standing in a bare field by a mere whim.  One is astonished and a little thoughtful for awhile.

My fate is very odd.  While the real thing for which alone I care remains enveloped in the most German mist of impossibility.  H.’s diplomatic skill has arranged for me all manner of Paris glories, which float before me mockingly like a “Fata Morgana.”  Heaven only knows what will come of this “Tannhauser” scheme.  In my heart I do not yet believe in it, and for good reasons.  It is of more importance to me to perform “Tristan” in Germany, and I am determined to set that old Dresden matter right if any decent concessions are made to me.  If I succeed in this, I shall look to Vienna as the theatre which has the best singers, and presents the unique phenomenon of being conducted by a competent musician, with whom one can come to an understanding.  This, as you know, cannot be found in the rest of Germany.

Of you, dearest friend, I have heard nothing for a long time, for even H. was unable to tell me anything.  The comfort of your visits in Paris, which at one time you promised me so confidently, will not, it appears, be vouchsafed to me.  Be not offended, therefore, if today I send you a visitor in order to give you some news of myself on the same occasion.  I have been brought here by the absurd illusion of being able, by repeating my Paris concerts at Brussels, to recover some of the money which those Paris excesses had cost me.  But of course the only results of this excursion were new expenses and a little propaganda.  Amongst the most valuable conquests I have made here is first Herr A. Samuel, who is starting for Germany, and would like to be introduced to you.  He has been very amiable towards me, both in deed and word.  You will like him, too, and in that belief I recommend him to your welcome.

You also introduced some one to me here.  Frau Agnes Street—­ Klindworth brought me a letter from you which you had given to her five years ago for London.  I have to thank you for the most pleasant acquaintance which you procure to me so unexpectedly and after all that time.  I was soon at home with her and Papa Klindworth, and owe the most pleasant memories to these two people.  The old man amused me greatly by his incredible wealth of diplomatic anecdote.

I return to Paris today in order to have a closer view of my brilliant misery.  M. Royer wants a large ballet for the second act of “Tannhauser”; you may imagine how I relish the idea.  My only refuge in the face of such demands is Princess Metternich, who is highly esteemed by Fould, etc.  I must see whether I can get rid of this ballet, otherwise I shall of course withdraw “Tannhauser.”