Franz Muller will pay you a visit at Mornex about the middle of this month, and will show you his work on the “Nibelungen.”

The two scores I shall leave here in the keeping of the Princess until you write to her that they are to be sent to the Hartels.

Your idea of becoming a houseowner at Zurich is quite peculiar, and I congratulate you cordially on the building delights which await you.

Dawison told me recently that his starring engagement had enabled him to buy a villa near Dresden.  At the same rate, you ought to be able to purchase with your scores at least the whole of Zurich, together with the Sieben Churfursten and the lake.

Whether Madame Erard will be inclined to dispose of a grand piano on the advantageous terms you mention is a questionable question, which I shall put to her when I have the chance.  Try, first of all, to get quite well; the other arrangements will come in due course.

May God protect you.

F. L.

August 1st, 1856.

We are just going together with H. (who wishes to be remembered to you), to have another try at the last act of the “Valkyrie.”

223.

Dearest friend,

In order to give you a little more diversion I herewith introduce to you Herr Zeugherr, an architect, and an acquaintance of Ernst’s; he is in search of a little villa for me to compose in, but has as yet found nothing.  Perhaps you will inspire him.

Farewell, and receive best greetings from your

R. Wagner.

Zurich.

224.

Friday Evening.

Dearest friend,

That I ran away from you was a perfect inspiration, which should bring noble fruit both to you and to me.

I shall go to bed at nine; do you likewise, and sleep by the book, so that we may present to each other to-morrow morning a couple of fresh faces, ready to face the world.

I shall study “Mephistopheles” a little today.

If you like we will do some Valkyring tomorrow.

May a thousand gods protect you.

R. W. 225.

Dear Franz,

Believe me, by all that is sacred to you and me, that I am ill, and require the most perfect rest and care today, in order, let us hope, to enjoy you again tomorrow.  A very considerable, though welcome and wholesome, catarrh weighs down my limbs like lead.  It developed during last night, together with an inflamed throat and other addenda.  The slightest excitement would impede my recovery.

Au revoir in a rational matter tomorrow.

Yours,

W. R.

226.

My dearest Franz,

I must think it really fortunate that you this time cultivate a few other acquaintances, and that I may therefore disappear for a short time without attracting too much attention.