Is M. ill?  How can I do anything to help her?  She should come in the summer to Seelisberg, on the lake of Lucerne.  It is the dearest discovery I have made in Switzerland; up there all is so joyful, so beautiful, that I long to return—­to die there.

There we must meet next summer; I mean to write “Young Siegfried” there, and you must assist me.  Perhaps I shall assist you too.  How full my heart is when I think of it!  Many thanks to the Princess; at her desire, I send the enclosed autograph.  Nothing about business!  What do we care about such miserable things?  When shall I see your symphonic poems, your “Faust?”

Farewell, my Franz.

169.

Brynhild sleeps; I am, alas! still awake.

Today I was asked, on the part of the Philharmonic Society of London, whether I should be inclined to conduct its concerts this year.  I asked in return, (1) Have they got a second conductor for the commonplace things? and (2) Will the orchestra have as many rehearsals as I may consider necessary?  If they satisfy me as to all this, shall I accept then?  If I could make a little money without disgrace, I should be pleased enough.  Write to me at once what you think of this.

How are you otherwise? 170

First of all, dearest friend, my best wishes for the new year 1855!  May it turn out luckier for us than its predecessors have been.

I have permitted myself a little indiscretion in Brendel’s paper, and have written for the specimen number of the journal (which is going to have a new publisher), as well as for the first number of the new year, a few columns about your “Rhinegold.”  I hope you will not be angry with me.  My intention was good, and it will do no harm to draw a little public attention to the matter.  The score I shall one of these days send to Fischer at Dresden, according to your instructions.

The offer of the Philharmonic Society is very acceptable, and your friends will be pleased with it.  You do not say whether it is the Old Philharmonic Society or the New Philharmonic Society which has invited you.  The latter Berlioz conducted for one or two seasons, in conjunction with Dr. Wylde, a protege of one of the chief shareholders of that Society, whose name I forget.  In both Societies you will find a numerous orchestra and ample materials.  You will know how to bring life into them and to do something extraordinary.  If I can possibly get away from here, I shall perhaps visit you in London during the season.  In the meantime let me know something more about this Philharmonic business, which will probably turn out to your satisfaction.  I recommend you, by your leave, some caution, and the tedious but useful method of waiting.

I have heard nothing from Berlin, and shall write to Alwine Frommann before long.  Our theatre will not be able to perform your works for several months to come.  Frau von Milde is in interesting circumstances, and cannot appear before the middle of April, and our public would tolerate no other Elizabeth, Elsa, or Senta.  Besides this, our first tenor has lost his voice, and will be replaced next month by C., who sang “Tannhauser” here in November on trial.