Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of January 21, 1871

Overview

War anxieties persist, but the day is otherwise marked by sunshine, play, and literary conversation. Richard gives Richter a vivid account of Goethe's Wanderjahre before the snow frustrates a walk. The children's obedience and Cosima's skill with them become the day's chief domestic satisfaction before evening reading.

Content

Saturday, January 21:

Chancy's army is reinforcing in Cherbourg. When will it all end? Sunshine inside and out, though I did in fact dream that, flying with R., I was seized by a wild bird, but I laughed about it.

At lunch R. describes the plan of the Wanderjahre to Richter in a wonderful way, though he then adds, "However, all this is only fully depicted in Faust."

We attempt to take a walk, but the snow tires us too much. In the evening Gibbon, after spending the afternoon playing with the children, during which R. admires my gift of keeping them in order and making them obey; Fidi is already willingly obedient.