Dearest Mother, you must have been long expecting a letter from me, particularly since although you were here we did not see each other. It was not till the evening after your departure that I discovered from Eichberger that you had been here. I was deeply vexed that my letter from Magdeburg must have missed you in Leipzig. Well, ill luck and misadventure have been and are my portion, though my Berlin expedition has at last propitiated my evil star a little.
Cerf and I are now the warmest friends in the world. He has given me temporary charge of Glaser's post and salary, and I shall rehearse and produce my opera here. I must take on some new engagement when Glaser returns, but I hope later to hold a contract with Cerf and by then I shall at least have made myself known here. Laube and the journalists are making a great noise about me, and this kind of thing is just what I needed. I dare not come to Leipzig; the air there is not good for me.
So Clara is with you, the dear good creature! But how is her husband? In my terrible necessity I wrote to him from Magdeburg, but got no answer. Wohlbruch is here from Riga, and perhaps I may go there. For the moment I only want to make a name here. Spontini is beside himself because he cannot produce my opera. The King has even offered me Spontini's post, but what use is it to me? Six journalists want interviews with me this minute, and I have not a farthing in my pocket. My whole policy is directed to getting Glaser to the baths as soon as possible. He must get a thorough chill somehow. May God assist me!
Richard Wagner
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Volume 1, ed. Altmann/Hull (London: Dent, 1927), No. 37