We did not leave Teplitz for Prague till last Monday, having remained there a fortnight, chiefly on account of the baths which Theodore [Apel] took for reasons of health and I more for enjoyment. The stay enchanted me and I think I shall remember the Milleschauer all my life. Prague, too, seems quite a different place to me now and I realise for the first time what a dull, depressed wight I was when last I roamed its streets. We are having unbroken fine weather and at this lovely time of year that makes everything seem bright and clear. I have enjoyed seeing the Raymanns and all goes well with them. Jenny has gone off very little in looks and Augusta is handsomer than ever. Apel is away. Settlements under the will have worked out very much to the advantage of the girls.
The favourable attitude of Karl Pachta, who has come here from Milan, is particularly advantageous. He is behaving in a most friendly way towards them. As for that animal, the old woman, I want to beat her whenever I meet her. A fortunate opportunity has come for the girls: if they use it and free themselves from their environment they may come very well out of the business; if not, they may yet mix with artists and Bohemians and enjoy a fine life, and there is something to be said for this too! We have not been here long and I have been about too little as yet to be able to give you much news of other matters.
To-day I am going to visit Gerle, Kinsky, Weber and, above all, Stoger, to whom I have already been introduced. He seems to me to be a splendid man and his theatre is quite remarkable. The magnificence of the decoration and costumes makes the stage here seem something quite different; I scarcely recognise it again. The opera is flourishing, and among other things Lutzer is so improved that she will replace Devrient for us one of these days. I am enchanted with her, quite the new youthful school, thoroughly dramatic; a little more and she will be perfect. I shall keep an eye on her, she is an excellent "Ada." I have written out my libretto quite neatly and to-day I give it to Stoger.
Well, I am delighted to hear all your good reports of Ringelhardt; he will certainly climb high. I am writing to him to-day and to Gerhard, and ah! how anxious and fearful it makes me! Supposing I have to pay for the happy days I am enjoying now? Often a torturing restlessness comes over me, driving me to return home as soon as possible. I feel as if something awaited me there that I must combat with all my strength. Your letter and then the mention of my opera have made me uneasy and nothing but the force of the moment's happiness can banish the feeling. Nothing will come of Vienna I am sure. We have already stayed too long and I am not sorry. We will travel back by Karlsbad, so that if you have not yet sent off the notes, leave things as they are. How are you all? I rejoice that Mother rejoiced. How is Laube getting on? I am always thinking of him and am very anxious for him.
Send the scores with the letter to Ringelhardt.
Richard Wagner
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Volume 1, ed. Altmann/Hull (London: Dent, 1927), No. 8