You really must again advance me 100 francs, my dearest Herr Schlesinger, otherwise I do not know how you will be able to stand before the Judgment Seat in the next world when it will be said, as it surely will, that you refused to advance 100 francs to the subsequently far-famed Richard Wagner at a time when he was on the point of journeying to Russia under gracious protection and to the uttermost parts of Asia. Your imagination will doubtless make you shudder as you picture this scene, and the happy result of the shudder will be that you will pay out the desired advance without delay.
Just think: by next month I can deliver the most magnificent goods, the wittiest aphorisms, the pithiest stories, all for the Gazette musicale. I am very anxious to get away, and if I can only get this little sum, I shall be able to make the attempt. More of this anon, but I may just say that I am not hankering in the least after your honours. With deepest contrition, your most humble servant.
Richard Wagner
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Volume 1, ed. Altmann/Hull (London: Dent, 1927), No. 58