Dearest and best little wife of my heart! Lipinski has won my full pardon for the injury done me with a very genuinely meant embrace. Lindenau has been to see me again, and Frau Rottorf, who does not at all like to see me disturbed at my work, regarded the Prime Minister with suspicion and showed him the door. The poor man had to depart leaving a few lines begging me to visit him soon. Frau Rottorf was terrified to death when she found it had been the Prime Minister; and I had to dress and go off to see him myself! He had shown my composition to the King, who at once sat down at the piano, played it through, and expressed great pleasure in it. This business has made me hugely busy, and I have a hundred things to see to, to get everything properly organised. As soon as this business of the unveiling is over I must make giant strides with my work for the Choral Festival. Directly the composition is finished there will be rehearsals, etc. Added to this there are all the operas, with to-day, for a change, the Freischutz! Then for three weeks I shall have to sacrifice my treasured morning hours, and I see clearly that I shall have to do something for my health's sake. I have consequently decided to take a thorough course of mineral waters with Struwe. It comes very hard on me, for it means observing a strict regime. Otherwise, thank God, I am very well; my lassitude has left me, and I am fresh and fit. All the world is going to Teplitz, but I cannot possibly get there. Twice in church every holy day and then rehearsals! It is shameful!
Richard Wagner
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Volume 1, ed. Altmann/Hull (London: Dent, 1927), No. 89