Consider this, and bear in mind that it will be a climax of our lives, for the sake of which all common things must be got over and brought into order.  I count upon your magnanimity.

Farewell for today.  I send you many greetings from a longing heart.

Your R. W.

194.

Dear Franz,

You are my court business agent, once for all.  Be kind enough to forward, through the Weimar minister at Hanover, the enclosed letter to the king as soon as possible.  My theatrical agent, Michaelson, has exceeded his legal rights by selling “Lohengrin” to the Hanover theatre without asking me, and for a much smaller sum than they had previously paid me for “Tannhauser” on my direct application.  The Intendant will not hear of my cancelling the sale, and all that remains to me is to apply to the king himself.  You will take care of this, will you not?

Why did you not answer my last question?

One million greetings from

Your

R. W.

195.

In spite of many attempts and inquiries backwards and forwards, I have not found a sure way of obtaining a hearing from his Majesty, the King of Hanover.  It appears to me that the best thing you can do in this matter is to write a few lines to Joachim or, in case he should be absent on his travels, to Capellmeister Wehner at Hanover, and to enclose your letter to the king.  I, for my part, cannot undertake this commission, as I have no relations with Hanover just now, and should not like to be responsible for a failure.  Wehner (I am not quite certain as to the spelling of his name) is on very good terms with the king, and will be glad to be of service to you.  It will be necessary, however, that you should write to him a few lines direct, in which please mention me.  I herewith return your letter to the king.  Kindly excuse this delay; I was absent for several days, and some other measures, which I thought had been taken for the purpose, have come to nothing.

In November you will see me, and I agree to everything that is agreeable to you.  By then several of my scores will be in print, which will make it easier for us to read them.  During these last months I have been occupied so much by visits, correspondence, and business matters that I could scarcely devote a few hours to my work.  I am sometimes angry and wild at the ridiculous troubles I have to go through, and long for our days at the Zeltweg.

Write to me later on when my visit will be most convenient to you, in November or at Christmas?

The Princess and her daughter stayed several weeks at Berlin, and for the last week they have been in Paris.  I do not expect them back here till the middle of September.  In the meantime my son Daniel—­who at this year’s concours at the “Lycee Bonaparte,” as well as in the “Concours General,” again distinguished himself and carried off several prizes—­has arrived at the Altenburg.