When I lately sent you two stories, I told you that within a month I should be ready with some Parisian news. Since I received no countermand I take it that you will not object if I enclose something of the kind. At the same time I take the liberty of enclosing also three musical pieces for Europa.
Now for a large demand. I want you to provide a good publisher for an interesting book. I ask you to let Herr von Cotta know about the following project and, if possible, persuade him to adopt it. The book is to be a biography of Beethoven, tracing the development of the great musical periods created by his genius, told in entertaining and perhaps fanciful style, so as to be as far as possible from pedantry and learned quotations.
If you could get the interest of Herr von Cotta or, if not his, some other intelligent bookseller for this project, you would do an inestimable service.
Richard Wagner
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Volume 1, ed. Altmann/Hull (London: Dent, 1927), No. 56