Alas! we were none of us capitalists. This pious pilgrimage to the
temple of genius and our glorious sojourn there must be paid for, and
the money must be earned.
We had undertaken to send to the different journals exhaustive accounts
of the Munich Exposition, with letters of travel, and above all, items
of news about Richard Wagner, who at that time was the subject of many
discussions and disputes. Living, as he did, in strict seclusion, he
aroused the curiosity of the people to the highest point.
Not without misgivings, I had written an article for _Le Rappel_,
entitled "Richard Wagner at Home."
I did not enlarge upon this to the Master himself, and I sincerely
hoped he would never hear of it; but someone, believing it would please
him, sent him the article.
He was angry.
"A discord already!" he cried. Then he declared to Cosima that his
house and all things relating to his private life, including the dogs,
were to him like the mysterious jewel of his destiny, and that he
experienced actual terror at seeing them mentioned in the papers.
Cosima did her utmost to excuse and defend me, and the Master was
appeased. But a Lucerne leaflet, the _Journal des Étrangers_, took
upon itself to reprint the article, thereby drawing to the vicinity
of Tribschen a swarm of boats filled with inquisitive observers, and
Wagner was freshly annoyed. He felt a real chagrin, he said, because
he could not endure such things from his friends, and he wished to
consider us his friends. At length, having given him my promise not to
repeat the offence, he pardoned it; and a few days later, in order to
amuse me, he gave me the following letter--to read and then destroy--
which had made them laugh heartily, and which a lady of Thonon had been
inspired to write by my article, "Richard Wagner at Home."
"My dear Sir,
"Pray pardon me for writing to you in this way, but I have just seen,
in a newspaper, an article about you, and it is with the deepest
emotion that I have read all the eulogies it contains, for, my dear
Sir, I see that you, also, have passed through evil days. Being myself,
at the present time, in the same unfortunate position, I can the more
deeply sympathise with you, my dear Sir.
"I was brought up amid the greatest luxury, and was the object of
every care and consideration. Unhappily for me, family misfortunes
and reverses came upon me, and we lost all. Those who used to call
themselves our friends no longer know us.
"Thank God, I have had the best possible education. I am passionately
fond of music, but, alas! since our misfortunes, I have not touched
a piano, and the fact that I have not the means to procure one is an
immense deprivation and a real grief to me.
"Why am I not close to you, my dear Sir! In that case, I feel sure
that you would not refuse me admission to your house, and a place at
your piano.
"As for me, I have five children, and I have not the means for a home,
but if I could be near you, my dear Sir, it seems to me that I should
be happy.
"I should be indifferent to all other privations, if I were able to
cultivate the art which is so dear to me.
"I foresee your astonishment, my dear Sir, when you read my letter;
but if I could only see you, you would no longer be surprised. I
know beforehand that your house will be mine, and your piano will be
mine...."
"Your piano will be mine...." That phrase remained famous for a long
time at Tribschen.