which above all else made my house seem homelike and attractive was the presence of a library, which I procured in accordance with a systematic plan laid down by my proposed line of study.  On the failure of my Dresden career this library passed in a curious way into the possession of Herr Heinrich Brockhaus, to whom at that time I owed fifteen hundred marks, and who took it as security for the amount.  My wife knew nothing at the time of this obligation, and I never afterwards succeeded in recovering this characteristic collection from his hands.  Upon its shelves old German literature was especially well represented, and also the closely related work of the German Middle Ages, including many a costly volume, as, for instance, the rare old work, Romans des douze Paris.  Beside these stood many excellent historical works on the Middle Ages, as well as on the German people in general.  At the same time I made provision for the poetical and classical literature of all times and languages.  Among these were the Italian poets, Shakespeare and the French writers, of whose language I had a passable knowledge.  All these I acquired in the original, hoping some day to find time to master their neglected tongues.  As for the Greek and Roman classics, I had to content myself with standard German translations.  Indeed, on looking once more into my Homer—­whom I secured in the original Greek—­I soon recognised that I should be presuming on more leisure than my conductorship was likely to leave me, if I hoped to find time for regaining my lost knowledge of that language.  Moreover, I provided most thoroughly for a study of universal history, and to this end did not fail to equip myself with the most voluminous works.  Thus armed, I thought I could bid defiance to all the trials which I clearly foresaw would inevitably accompany my calling and position.  In hopes, therefore, of long and peaceable enjoyment of this hard-earned home, I entered into possession with the best of spirits in October of this year (1843), and though my conductor’s quarters were by no means magnificent, they were stately and substantial.

The first leisure in my new home which I could snatch from the claims of my profession and my favourite studies was devoted to the composition of Tannhauser, the first act of which was completed in January of the new year, 1844.  I have no recollections of any importance regarding my activities in Dresden during this winter.  The only memorable events were two enterprises which took me away from home, the first to Berlin early in the year, for the production of my Fliegender Hollander, and the other in March to Hamburg for Rienzi.

Of these the former made the greater impression upon my mind.  The manager of the Berlin theatre, Kustner, quite took me by surprise when he announced the first performance of the Fliegender Hollander for an early date.