quite confident that the bargain will be completed after all, provided that I declare myself willing, as I do herewith, to accept any offer, knowing well that, however small the result may be, I could not get more in any other way.  If you are quite sure of a final success, the further question would be, how it would be possible to raise some money on account at once.  In any case, I ask you, and authorise you, and request you, as soon as possible, to come to a distinct understanding with the Grand Duke as to whether he would be inclined to confirm his favourable opinion of me by granting me a pension, or, at least, a sufficient annual subsidy for the three years which it will take me to complete my “Nibelungen.”  In the eventuality of a pension for life I should, of course, accept the obligation of staying every year some time at Weimar, and give him my services according to his wish, as soon as the return to Germany is opened to me.  You no doubt remember our discussion of this point, and of the possible concurrence of other princes well inclined towards me.  But what I particularly care for is speedy and absolute certainty.  At this moment, when I am most in need of help, I want to know definitely how matters stand.  This uncertainty places me in a wavering position of hoping, expecting, wishing, and desiring, which involves my circumstances more and more, apart from demoralising me.  In short, I want to know where to look for my friends.  Therefore, much-tried friend, look upon this as your last attempt at intercession between me and a world, my position towards which I must know exactly.  Patience of any kind is no longer in question.  My amnesty will be granted no sooner than at the moment when Saxony herself considers that the time has come; those gentlemen like to appear independent.

Farewell for today.  I shall very soon write to you about other matters, which, I hope, will be pleasanter to both of us.

Your

R. W.

234

January 27th, 1857.

Dearest Franz,

Wretched and helpless as I am, I must once more trouble you with something which this time will not be altogether without interest to you.  I enclose the letter of the person concerned, so that you may be au fait at once. (The enthusiasm displayed for me will, I hope, not excite you.) B. A., according to the testimony of my wife, is a young, very handsome, slender fellow, as, indeed, you may have guessed by the liking of X. for him.

Arrange, therefore, that he may make his debut as “Tannhauser” and “Lohengrin” at Weimar under your direction.  In that manner I shall know that he will be under the surest guidance, and that I shall have the best information as to the value of the young man.  Perhaps you will be kind enough to send for him previously.