Luttichau has again told me that he has it in mind to appoint me kapellmeister with a salary of 1800 thalers, only I should first have to serve a probationary year as director of music with a salary of 1200 thalers. I have written to him this afternoon to tell him I cannot and will not accept. What he will decide now I do not know. I have made up my mind, however, not to sacrifice my freedom except for a really big appointment. Of course I know I am laying up a further period of care and want for myself by so doing, but that ought not to frighten such as I. In the interval, however, while awaiting better things, it has been a great matter for me to have at last found someone, and without seeking, too willing to lend me 1000 thalers in solid cash on the sole security of my honest face and my promise to repay when I am in flourishing circumstances. This person is none other than Devrient! She learned of my circumstances, my obligations and my debts and repeatedly, of her own accord, offered me the 1000 thalers, till at last I accepted them. It is amazing, and I tell you that quite apart from this I respect and honour Devrient immeasurably. She is a truly noble and great-hearted woman. I destine something like half the sum Devrient has lent me for Paris and am writing of it more fully to Edward. With the other half I shall try to get clear of my old debts in Magdeburg. It will not be easy, for those people are out for blood and threaten every moment to compromise my present honourable position. To pay all they demand inclusive of interest and costs would take 657 thalers. I am not spending one groat of the 1000 thalers on myself.
Rienzi is now to be cut in half and given on two evenings. Much had to be cut because of its length, but now these cuts are to be restored so as to deprive the public of none of it. Judge from this whether the opera pleases! As regards Natalie, we have made up our minds. You must please be so good as to bring her here with you at our expense. You will then be free of her and she can then go to her sister Charlotte Troger at Zwickau, which will be the best place for her. What are Herr and Madame Kiihne doing? For the love of Heaven give them a million most affectionate greetings from us. We shall never cease to remember them with emotion.
Richard Wagner
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Volume 1, ed. Altmann/Hull (London: Dent, 1927), No. 80