Klindworth was to play a concerto by Henselt yesterday at the last New Philharmonic concert, conducted by Berlioz.  I made the acquaintance of Dr. Wylde, a good man, and was able to be of some use to Klindworth in that small matter.  I sincerely pity him.  He is much too much of an artist and a high-minded man, not to be and always remain very unhappy in London.  He should try something else.

On once more touching the Continent I felt a little better.  The air here suits me, and I hope soon to be again at my work, which at last I gave up in London altogether.  Of the “Valkyrie” you will find little ready.

But when are you coming?  If I may not expect you before September, I shall go to Seelisberg till then, starting next Monday, but if, as Hermann led me to hope, I receive a letter before then, announcing your immediate arrival, I shall of course be very happy to remain at Zurich.

Therefore let me soon hear from you.  You have kept me waiting long, which indeed I might have expected after my last letter from London, for to communications of this kind your reply has always been silence.  But now you must relieve me of my uncertainty as to your visit, which may at last be expected shortly once more.  I need scarcely tell you that I am looking forward to it with great pleasure, and that our meeting will be to me the only joy after long trouble.

I am expecting a letter from you with great impatience.  Cordial greetings in advance from your

Richard. 192.

Welcome in Zurich, dearest Richard, where I hope to see you at the end of September or October.

My Hungarian journey is still somewhat uncertain, as, according to the latest news, the cathedral will probably not be quite finished this year.  But in any case I shall come to you this autumn, and shall let you know my arrival in Zurich a few weeks in advance.  The satisfactory close of your stay in London has pleased me very much, and, as I know London, I think it would be well if you were to go there again next season.  About this and some other business I shall tell you more when I see you.

In the meantime I am delighted at your friendly relations with Berlioz.  Of all contemporary composers he is the one with whom you can converse in the simplest, openest, and most interesting manner.  Take him for all in all, he is an honest, splendid, tremendous fellow; and, together with your letter, I received one from Berlioz, in which he says amongst other things:  “Wagner will, no doubt, tell you all about his stay in London, and what he has had to suffer from predetermined hostility.  He is splendid in his ardour and warmth of heart, and I confess that even his violence delights me.  It seems there is a fate against my hearing his last compositions.  The day when, at the demand of Prince Albert, he conducted his ‘Tannhauser’ overture at the Hanover Square Rooms, I was compelled at the same hour to attend a horrible choral rehearsal for the New Philharmonic concert which I had to conduct two days afterwards,” etc.