Herewith I send you a consignment of The Rhinegold - how I wish it were coined! This is about half. You must be responsible for my score; don't let any of it get lost and see that I get it back soon. Lend it to no one. Say nothing about it to Liszt; he is not to have it till it is quite finished. That will take some time, as I can attend to the fair copy only incidentally; besides I am composing The Valkyrie. Send me the pianoforte arrangement scene by scene, so that I can have it put in order here, with the libretto.
Karl has had to help me somewhat now in money matters, but I am by no means at ease. I am very much afraid that my receipts this winter will not amount to much. The Northern Star, Meyerbeer's, is opposed to me too - bad enough that I am fallen so low! If you should come across an enthusiastic man of means anywhere, tell him boldly that he would be doing me an inexpressible kindness if he would lend me 1000 thalers for a year, perhaps on a bill.
Brendel's notice on Hornstein delighted me. I felt like Robert Schumann with Brahms. I suppose I must be going mad! Now then, send me your compositions, do you hear? I think you are too hasty about Liszt. He certainly is not giving you up. On the contrary he often writes to me of you and very favourably. Apparently it touches him very closely. And, absurd as it may seem, he is not far wrong to congratulate you on your Polish engagement. It is a crying shame, of course, that one has to spend all one's time seeking a roof to cover one. I hardly know what I am saying perhaps, but I find it harder and harder to retain my faith.
You are the first actually to know anything of The Rhinegold. Don't set your expectations too high! It is wholly calculated for actual performance - never forget that!! It is really absurd to let such a thing be read.
Richard Wagner
Source: Letters of Richard Wagner, Volume 1, ed. Altmann/Hull (London: Dent, 1927), No. 267