anything that has hitherto been in existence.  Of course, it is written only for people who can stand something (perhaps in reality for nobody).  That incapable and weak persons will complain, cannot in any way move me.  You must decide whether everything has succeeded according to my own intentions.  I cannot do it otherwise.  At times, when I was timid and sobered down, I was chiefly anxious about the great scene of Wotan, especially when he discloses the decrees of fate to Brynhild, and in London I was once on the point of rejecting the whole scene.  In order to come to a decision, I took up the sketch, and recited the scene with proper expression, when, fortunately, I discovered that my spleen was unjustified, and that, if properly represented, the scene would have a grand effect even in a purely musical sense.  The manner of expression I have in places indicated very accurately, but it still remains, and will indeed be my principal task, to introduce a gifted singer and actor to the very core of my intentions by means of personal communication.  You, I firmly hope, will find out the right thing at once.  For the development of the great tetralogy, this is the most important scene of all, and, as such, it will probably meet with the necessary sympathy and attention.

If you should like nothing at all in my score, you will, at least, be pleased once more with my neat hand-writing, and will think the precaution of red lines ingenious.  This representation on paper will probably be the only one which my work will achieve, for which reason I linger over the copying with satisfaction.

I hope, more firmly than ever, to finish the last act by Christmas.  That you allow yourself to be ordered about by me is too kind of you, and touches me deeply.  In return, I promise to behave very reasonably when you come.  In the meantime I shall nurse the feeble remnants of my voice in every way, and during the last weeks before your arrival I shall try a few solfeggi, in order to restore the overstrained and badly treated instrument to a tolerable condition.  Must I assure you once more, that I look forward to our meeting with a sacred awe!

As far as we require society, it will not be unpleasant this time.  You probably know that Semper has been appointed here.  I take great pleasure in him—­an artist through and through, and of his nature more amiable than before, though still fiery.  Carl Ritter also will settle here.  He pleases me better than ever.  His intellect is vast, and I do not know another young man like him.  He loves you sincerely, and understands you well.

Berlioz replied lately to a letter of mine, in which I had asked him, amongst other things, to make me a present of all his scores, if he could get them gratis.  That he cannot do, because his earlier publishers will give him no more free copies.  I confess that it would interest me very much to study his symphonies carefully in full score.  Do you possess them, and will you lend them to me, or will you go so far as to give them to me?  I should accept them gratefully, but should like to have them soon.