In all other respects things are going badly and crookedly.  Poor Klindworth has been ill all along, and the fact that I could undertake nothing with him has deprived me of a great pleasure.  He is better now, but not yet allowed to take a walk with me.  Besides him, my intercourse is limited to Sainton, the leader of the orchestra, who caused my ill-fated appointment here, and a certain Luders, who lives with him.  Both are ardently devoted to me, and do all in their power to make my stay here pleasant.  Apart from this, I frequently go to Prager.  Quite recently a Mr. Ellerton, a rich amateur, approached me very cordially.  He has heard my operas in Germany, and my portrait has been hanging in his room for two years.  He is the first Englishman I have seen who does not care particularly for Mendelssohn.  A fine, amiable mind.

Klindworth has made the pianoforte arrangement of the first act of the “Valkyrie,” which he plays beautifully.  Unfortunately I have lost my voice entirely, and can sing very little, so that I am afraid I shall not be able to be of much service to you in that way.

You will have to do all the work next September.  You owe me a great debt, you reticent man.  If I look forward to anything in the future as pure happiness, it is my becoming acquainted through your means with your new compositions.  Do not forget to bring me every one of them.  I congratulate you on your mass from the bottom of my heart.  Let us hope that you will derive much pleasure from it at Gran.

And how is the Princess?  Joyful and sorrowful?  Does she still preserve her bright enthusiasm?  And Beatrice—­I mean the Child?  Greet her for me a thousand times.

Farewell, dearest, most unique of friends.  Believe me that the thought of you is an ever-new delight to my heart.  Be thanked for your love!

Farewell.

Your

R. W.

London, May 16th, 1855.

188.

22, Portland Terrace, regent’s Park, London,

May 26th, 1855.

Once more, dearest Franz, I must make a complaint about the “Faust” overture.  The Hartels have sent me an abominable arrangement for four hands, of which I cannot possibly approve.  Did not you tell them that B., who, I believe, had already made a be ginning, would best be able to make this arrangement?  Klindworth also would be prepared for it.  In any case it should be a pianist of that type.  The actual arrangement, which I yesterday returned to the Hartels through a music-seller, must not appear.