Your letter has once more done me a great deal of good.  Yes, dear Franz, I trust in you, and I know that there is some higher meaning in our friendship.  If I could live together with you I might do many fine things yet.  Farewell, and be cordially thanked for your glorious friendship.

Your

R. W.

I have no objection to my close of Gluck’s “Iphigenia” overture being used, seeing that I have already published it.  It would be advisable, however, that the overture should appear with the correct tempi and some necessary marks of expression.  Apart from this, Herr Schlesinger, in his musical paper, might adopt a pleasanter tone towards me in case Herr M. will permit him to do so.

R. W.

211.

Dear Franz,

My letters to Vienna seem to have put you in a very awkward position.  Forgive me, and do not punish me any longer by your silence!

Before anything else in the world I ask you to pay me as soon as possible the visit, which was so unfortunately postponed.  My desire to consult with you definitely about my future life has reached a painful pitch, and my longing for you is unspeakable.  I am very unhappy.

Your

R. W.

March 21st, 1856.

212.

Dearest Richard,

At last I am able to tell you that you will receive one thousand francs at the beginning of May.  When you wrote to me at Vienna about this matter it was impossible for me to tell you anything definite, and even now I am unable to undertake an annual obligation.

I am always sincerely sorry to have to tell you anything disagreeable, and for that reason I waited for the moment when I should be able to state that the aforesaid sum would be sent to you.  I have more than once explained to you my difficult pecuniary situation, which simply amounts to this, that my mother and my three children are decently provided for by my former savings, and that I have to manage on my salary as Capellmeister of one thousand thalers, and three hundred thalers more by way of a present for the court concerts.  For many years, since I became firmly resolved to live up to my artistic vocation, I have not been able to count upon any additional money from the music publishers.  My Symphonic Poems, of which I shall send you a few in full score in a fortnight’s time, do not bring me in a shilling, but, on the contrary, cost me a considerable sum, which I have to spend on the purchase of copies for distribution amongst my friends.  My Mass and my “Faust” symphony, etc., are also entirely useless works, and for several years to come I have no chance of earning money.  Fortunately I can just manage, but I must pinch a good deal and have to be careful not to get into any trouble, which might affect my position very unpleasantly.  Do not be angry, therefore, dearest Richard, if I do not enter upon your proposal, because for the present I can really not undertake any regular obligations.  If, which is not quite impossible, my circumstances should improve later on, it will be a pleasure to me to relieve your position.