From Hanover I have been asked to get the original score of the “Flying Dutchman” for Capellmeister Fischer there, who is recommended to me on good authority as a sincere and energetic admirer of your works.  Fischer has the scores of “Tannhauser” and “Lohengrin” in his library, and is very desirous not to be without the “Flying Dutchman” any longer.  I have been informed by my correspondent that he is in the habit of conducting from his own scores, and has taken much trouble to get that of the “Flying Dutchman,” but so far without success.  He would of course prefer the original to a copy, which he could take at any time.  Perhaps you will be able to find an original copy for him, for which he would have to send you the price agreed upon.  Although I do not like to meddle with similar matters, I thought that one might show special attention to Fischer, who has prepared your three operas at Hanover with every care.  Write to me soon what I am to tell him.  I do not know him personally.

After many verbal and written discussions of the “Nibelungen” question with Hartel (in which I throughout stuck to the chief point of Hartel’s first offer, without allowing him to swerve from it on the vague chance of some other and lower proposal), the matter has about reached this point, that I may assume that he will not give a negative answer to a letter from you, in which, making reference to his conversation with me, you should simply and a little politely ask him to carry out his former proposal.  On this first proposal, I think, the resumption of the transaction must necessarily be based, and I must tell you candidly that Hartel did not appear very ready to act upon it now, because the turn given by you to the matter in your second letter has almost offended him.

Consider, therefore, whether you will write him to this effect, which I should advise you to do, for it cannot easily be anticipated that a better proposal will be made to you from another quarter, and yet it appears important to me that your work should be published.

Concerning the performance itself, I am still in hopes that the Grand Duke will supply the means to me, or rather to you, for in that case I should only act as your assistant.

Go on with your gigantic work bravely and cheerfully.  The rest will be arranged, and I shall be in it.

F. L.

Weymar, April 28th, 1857.

240.

Zurich, May 8th. 1857.

At last I sit down to write to you, dearest Franz.  I have had a bad time, which now, it is true, appears to give place to a very pleasant state of things.