My foolish friend, are you still letting yourself be led astray by talk? Well then, let me tell you the simple literal truth. Apart from Herr von Kistner and the local managers and singers I have not done business with a soul in Berlin. Consequently I do not know if I have been thought of for any kapellmeister's position, but I do know that I have not my eye on one here. As long as I have got to be a kapellmeister for my livelihood I had much rather be one in Dresden than here, and this for a thousand reasons, each of which I am ready to swear to on oath. You know how much I should like to have a modest pension so as to be able to read the many books I possess and others which I should like to buy, but as long as I have no such pension I will bear my kapellmeister's yoke in Dresden. There is no doubt that it would be a good thing if Hennig were pensioned off. The singers say he is past his work, but I see that he goes on with it, and will, I imagine, for some time to come. Taubert told me he had heard that Lachner had an eye on the supposedly approaching vacancy. The latter is intimate with Kistner, and if the day of pensioning Hennig could be hastened it would doubtless be Kistner's dearest wish to appoint Lachner.
Richard Wagner
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Volume 1, ed. Altmann/Hull (London: Dent, 1927), No. 135