My Most Honoured Sir, if I have left your friendly and helpful letter so long unanswered it is because this letter is designed to inform you definitely of the day of my arrival in Paris. I leave here by diligence on Monday, the 16th of this month, and shall be in Paris very early on Tuesday. Soon I shall meet you and hope to be able to discuss things with you by word of mouth.
And now to come at once to one of the main points, I once again take advantage of the kindness for which I cannot be sufficiently grateful and ask you to engage in advance a room sufficiently large for myself and my wife, in an hotel garni, as you yourself suggested, upon a weekly tenancy.
As to my affairs, only this much: I would never have remained so long in Boulogne and paid English prices if I had not, by a fortunate accident, met Meyerbeer here, who may be immeasurably useful for my plans and with whom I have already linked myself as securely as I have been able. We will discuss that, and your news of my family, by word of mouth.
Richard Wagner
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Volume 1, ed. Altmann/Hull (London: Dent, 1927), No. 46