Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of May 24, 1869

Overview

Weariness, Richard's illness, and paper hangers make the day trying, though Luise's sad but affectionate letter about the Jewish pamphlet arrives. Cosima plays and works with the children, supervises Lulu's piano, and hears from Marie Muchanoff in a more sensible tone after rumors about family quarrels. Richard is deeply concerned when he learns how many nights Cosima stayed awake finishing embroidery and reproaches her lack of self-care.

Content

Monday, May 24:

Great weariness, R. unwell, and on top of that much bother with the paper hangers. Nice letter from his sister Luise, who is, however, sad about the Jewish pamphlet.

Played and worked with the children, supervised Lulu’s piano practice. R. writes to Mathilde and to the Hungarians who sent him the telegram. In the evening a letter from Marie Muchanoff; she has retracted her unsealed letter and writes sensibly. She had heard that I had quarreled with my father and Hans.

When I tell R. in the evening that I had stayed awake several nights in order to finish my embroidery, he is very concerned and solemnly reproaches me for this lack of self-consideration.